Don’t Panic: How to Tell if Pipes are Frozen

Here on the Northshore, we’re used to sweating through summer, not shivering through winter. So when temperatures dip below freezing, a lot of homeowners get caught off guard, and so do their pipes. Most Louisiana homes weren’t built with hard freezes in mind. Pipes often run through exterior walls, unheated attics, and the crawl spaces under raised homes, which leaves them exposed when a cold snap rolls in.

The good news? Frozen pipes don’t have to mean a flooded kitchen. If you know how to tell if pipes are frozen, you can catch the problem early and thaw things out before a pipe cracks. Here’s what to look for, what to do, and when to give us a buzz, so a freeze doesn’t put a sting in your week.

When Are Pipes Most Likely to Freeze?

Pipes in unheated or uninsulated spaces can start to freeze when outdoor temperatures drop to about 20°F, especially if the cold hangs around overnight. That doesn’t happen often around here, which is exactly why it’s easy to forget about.

The pipes most at risk in Louisiana homes include:

• Pipes under raised homes and in crawl spaces
• Lines running along exterior walls, especially behind kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Pipes in attics, garages, and laundry rooms without heat
• Outdoor spigots, sprinkler lines, and pool supply lines
• Water lines leading to a water heater in a garage or outdoor closet

If a pipe is anywhere the cold can reach it, it’s worth checking on when the forecast turns frosty.

How to Tell if Pipes Are Frozen

Frozen pipes usually give you a heads-up. You just have to know what you’re looking, listening, and sniffing for.

No Water (or Just a Trickle)

This is the biggest giveaway. If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, or you only get a slow drip, ice is likely blocking the line somewhere. Check the other faucets in your home. If only one fixture is affected, the frozen section is probably near that sink or along the wall behind it.

Frost on Visible Pipes

Take a peek under the sink, in the crawl space, or anywhere pipes are exposed. Frost or a thin layer of ice on the outside of a pipe is a strong sign the water inside is frozen too.

Bulging or Cracked Pipes

Water expands as it freezes, which puts a lot of pressure on your pipes. A pipe that looks swollen, bowed, or split is in trouble. Don’t wait on this one.

Strange Smells From Drains

If your sink or tub drain suddenly smells funky, a frozen pipe may be keeping odors from venting the way they normally would, sending them back up into your home.

Odd Noises

Banging, clanking, whistling, or gurgling when you turn on a faucet or flush can mean water is trying to squeeze past an icy blockage.

A Toilet That Won’t Refill

If your toilet flushes but the tank stays empty, the supply line feeding it may be frozen.

What to Do if You Think Your Pipes Are Frozen

First things first: don’t panic. A frozen pipe isn’t a burst pipe, and acting quickly gives you the best shot at keeping it that way.

1. Open the faucet. Leave the affected faucet open so melting ice has somewhere to go. Running water also helps thaw the rest of the blockage.
2. Find the frozen section. Follow the pipe back from the faucet and look for frost, ice, or the coldest spot.
3. Apply gentle heat. Use a hair dryer, a heating pad, or towels soaked in warm water. Start near the faucet and work your way toward the frozen area.
4. Keep at it. Hold the heat on until full water pressure returns, then check your other faucets for frozen spots.
5. Never use an open flame. Torches, propane heaters, and charcoal stoves are a fire hazard and can damage your pipes. Keep space heaters away from anything flammable, and never leave them unattended.

If you can’t find the frozen section, can’t reach it, or the pipe is tucked inside a wall, it’s time to call in a pro.

Signs a Frozen Pipe Has Burst

Sometimes a pipe cracks before you even know it froze, and the leak doesn’t show up until the ice melts. Keep an eye out for:

• Puddles under sinks or near your water heater
• Damp spots, bubbling paint, or stains on walls and ceilings
• The sound of running water when everything is turned off
• A sudden drop in water pressure

If you spot any of these, shut off your main water valve right away to stop the flow, then call a plumber. It’s smart to learn where your main shutoff is now, before you ever need it.

How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

The best frozen pipe is the one that never freezes. A little prep before a cold snap goes a long way:

• Let faucets drip. A slow drip of both hot and cold water keeps water moving, which makes it harder to freeze.
• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks so warm air can reach the pipes.
• Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe sleeves from your local home improvement store.
• Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor spigots.
• Keep the thermostat steady day and night, even if you’re heading out of town.
• Close crawl space vents and garage doors while the freezing weather lasts.

Frozen Pipes? Give Us a Buzz!

If your pipes froze, cracked, or just aren’t acting right after a cold snap, Goodbee Plumbing is here to help. Our licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers handle plumbing inspections and repairs across the Northshore, and most services are available same-day. We’ll even give you a price estimate over the phone before any work begins.

Give us a buzz at 985-893-1883 or request your service online. We’re open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday.