A pipe froze: what to do before you call
If you suspect a frozen pipe, close the main water valve first and call our 24/7 emergency line. Do not use an open flame to thaw it, and keep power off near any wet wall unless you can reach the panel safely.
A frozen line that has not split can sometimes be warmed slowly, but a split one releases water as soon as the ice melts. Calling early gets the cleanup planned before the thaw.
Cold snaps do not wait for business hours, so we treat nights and weekends as normal. Same-day response is the aim when crews are available, and the person on the phone will explain what to expect for your address.
Why freeze damage shows up after the thaw
Water expands as it freezes, which can crack a pipe or loosen a joint without any leak at first. The ice plugs the break until temperatures rise, and then water pours into the wall, ceiling or floor.
The National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals for Detroit show about 45 inches of snow a year, so Southeast Michigan has real freeze and thaw cycles. Pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and unheated basements are the usual trouble spots.
Where freeze breaks tend to hide
| Location | Why it freezes | Damage pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior wall | Little insulation between pipe and outside air | Water inside the wall cavity and a wet floor below. |
| Garage or breezeway | Unheated space with supply lines | Wet slab, soaked stored items and a damp shared wall. |
| Basement rim joist | Cold air leaks near the foundation | Dripping from the ceiling and wet insulation. |
| Outdoor spigot line | Hose left connected, line not drained | Slow leak inside the wall behind the faucet. |
How we respond to a frozen pipe loss
We locate the water first, using a moisture meter and thermal camera to follow it through the wall. Then we extract standing water, remove wet insulation and board that cannot dry and set air movers and dehumidifiers.
We also note where the pipe failed so your plumber can repair it. Restoration does not replace the plumbing fix, and we say that plainly in the scope.
How often this really happens here
Frozen pipe losses are seasonal, not constant. They cluster in the coldest stretches of winter and are rare outside them, so if you are reading this in July, the better move is prevention rather than emergency planning.
Practical prevention includes keeping the thermostat up, opening cabinet doors on exterior walls during cold snaps and knowing where your main shutoff is.
Pipes at greater risk
Pipes in unheated spaces, along exterior walls or near drafty rim joists are the first to freeze. Lines that run through garages, attics and uninsulated crawl spaces share that risk.
In extremely cold weather, letting a faucet drip can reduce the chance of freezing, because moving water is harder to freeze. Insulating exposed pipes helps too.
Industry standard for frozen pipe losses
ANSI/IICRC S500 is the published standard for professional water damage restoration. After a thaw it helps sort clean supply water from anything that has mixed with other sources, and it frames drying goals.
We cite the document as a guide for our method. It is not a claim that we hold any certificate.
What affects the cost of frozen pipe cleanup
Cost factors
Cost follows the amount of water released, the number of rooms affected and how much drywall and insulation had to come out. A pipe in an exterior wall often means more cutting than a pipe under a sink.
We explain scope and price before work starts, and the written scope separates drying from rebuild.
Insurance and related services
Policies treat sudden freeze breaks differently from slow leaks, so ask your insurer what applies and describe the event as water damage. Photos of the pipe, the wet wall and the room help. For the water itself see burst pipe cleanup, and for drying afterward see structural drying.
Questions people ask
Yes. The 24/7 line is open on nights, weekends and holidays, which is when many freezes happen. Call and we will tell you how to limit the water while next steps are arranged.
Only if you are sure it has not split, and never with an open flame. Slow warmth from a hair dryer or opening the cabinet works for an exposed pipe, but if water appears, shut off the main and call.
Look for wet spots on a wall, ceiling stains, a drop in water pressure or the sound of running water when nothing is on. A split can look dry until the ice melts.
That depends on your policy and cause. Ask your insurer and call it water damage. We provide photos, moisture readings and a written scope for them to review.
Both. Basement homes can freeze lines near the rim joist, and slab homes can freeze supply lines in exterior walls or garages. We ask about your home so we do not assume.