Frozen pipes usually show up as sudden changes in water flow, strange noises, or visible frost on exposed pipes. If you suspect frozen pipes, act quickly to prevent them from bursting.
Key signs to check
- Little or no water comes from one or more faucets, or only a weak trickle instead of normal pressure, especially during very cold weather.
- Toilets refill very slowly, and appliances that use water (like washing machines) seem weaker than usual.
Visual and sound clues
- Frost, ice, or a whitish “fuzzy” coating on exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, garages, or along exterior walls suggests the pipe is at or near freezing inside.
- Bulging, uneven, or slightly cracked sections of pipe, or gurgling, banging, or bubbling sounds when you run water, can mean ice is blocking part of the pipe.
Location and temperature hints
- Pipes in unheated or drafty areas (attic, crawl space, garage, outside walls, under sinks on exterior walls) are most likely to freeze first.
- If the weather is below freezing for many hours and only some fixtures have problems (for example, only upstairs bathroom or only kitchen on an outside wall), the frozen section is often in the line serving those fixtures in a colder spot.
When it might already have burst
- If water stops, then later you see new water stains on ceilings or walls, hear running water when all taps are off, or find unexplained puddles, that can mean a pipe has already burst and started leaking.
- In that case, shut off the main water supply immediately and call a plumber or emergency maintenance rather than trying to thaw the pipe yourself.
What to do right away
- Leave the affected faucet slightly open so any melting ice can relieve pressure instead of bursting the pipe.
- Gently warm likely frozen sections (for example with a hair dryer on low, warm towels, or a space heater kept at a safe distance), and avoid open flames or high-heat devices which can damage pipes or cause fires.
