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Plumber for Frozen Pipes: When to Call and What to Do While You Wait

Updated October 31, 2026 · General information, not plumbing or legal advice

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The short answer: Call a licensed plumber if you can't find the frozen section, can't reach it, can't thaw it, or the pipe has burst or is leaking. Shut off the main water valve if there's any leak. While you wait, keep faucets open, keep the heat on and keep the area dry.

Safety first. Never thaw a pipe with a torch or any open flame. They are a fire hazard and can release deadly carbon monoxide. Keep electrical cords away from water, and stay out of rooms where water is near outlets, panels or appliances.

Call a plumber when (Red Cross)

You can't locate the frozen area.
The frozen area isn't accessible (behind a wall or ceiling, under a slab).
You can't get the pipe to thaw.

Call right away when

A pipe has burst or you see water where it shouldn't be. Progressive says to shut off the main water supply and call a licensed plumber. See our burst pipe guide.
Pipes have been frozen for several hours. Missouri Extension says they may have cracked and can leak after thawing.
More than one faucet has no water. The Red Cross says if one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.

While you wait

Keep the faucet open so water can flow as the ice melts (Red Cross).
Know where the main shut-off valve is and be ready to close it (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Illinois Extension).
Warm the room. Keep the heat on and open cabinet doors under sinks (Red Cross).
Safe gentle heat is fine if you can reach the pipe: hair dryer, heating pad, hot wet towels. Never an open flame. See the thaw guide.
Take photos of any damage before cleanup, in case you file an insurance claim (Nationwide, Progressive).

Questions worth asking the plumber

These are our suggestions, not from a source: Are you licensed in this state? Is this an emergency call, and is there an extra fee? What is the rate before you start? Can you check the other pipes for freezing or damage? What would stop it happening again? Ask your own state's licensing board how to verify a license.

Need a plumber now?

The Red Cross says to call a licensed plumber if you can't locate the frozen area, can't reach it, or can't thaw the pipe. Burst pipes also need a plumber.

When to call a plumber Find a licensed plumber near you

Will your pipes freeze tonight?

Answer four quick questions about tonight's low, where your pipes run, insulation and heat setting. Get a risk level and a short to-do list.

Open the freeze risk checker

Common questions

When should I call a plumber for a frozen pipe?

The Red Cross says to call a licensed plumber if you can't locate the frozen area, if the frozen area isn't accessible, or if you can't get the pipe to thaw. Call as soon as a pipe has burst or is leaking.

Should I thaw the pipe myself or wait for a plumber?

If you can reach the frozen section, the Red Cross gives safe do-it-yourself heat methods. NC State Extension is more cautious: it says to call a plumber to thaw the pipes, because thawing yourself can lead to greater damage and can be a hazard. Use your judgment, and stop if you are unsure.

Can I fix a burst pipe myself?

Progressive warns against attempting to repair a burst pipe yourself, saying it can lead to more damage. Shut off the main water supply, then call a licensed plumber.

What does a plumber charge for a frozen pipe?

We did not find a price from a government, extension or insurer page, so we don't quote one. Ask for the rate and any emergency fees before work starts.

Sources