Supply lines run through attics in many Georgia houses, often with thin insulation.
Gwinnett County · Cold-snap help
Frozen Pipe? What to Do Before It Turns Into a Burst
A frozen pipe isn’t a flood yet. Here’s how to tell a pipe has frozen, how to thaw it without making things worse, and what to do the moment you find a leak.
Call now: (678) 833-0791
You’ll be connected with a local restoration provider.
First signA trickle or no water
ThawingFaucet open, gentle heat
If it leaksShut off the main, then call
Know the signs
Signs a Pipe Is Frozen
The American Red Cross puts it simply: if you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Other clues are frost on an exposed pipe, a faucet that gives hot water but not cold (or the reverse), and a toilet that won’t refill.
If more than one faucet is affected, the frozen section is probably close to where water enters the house. If only one faucet is slow, look along the pipe that feeds it.
Where to look
Where Pipes Freeze in Georgia Homes
Pipes freeze where cold air reaches them and warm air doesn’t. In Gwinnett homes, these are the usual spots.
Vents, gaps and open skirting let freezing air reach the pipes under the floor.
Kitchen and bathroom sinks on an outside wall are the classic trouble spot.
Water heater lines, laundry lines and utility sinks in an unheated garage.
Especially with a hose still attached; see hidden spigot leaks.
Bonus rooms, additions and closed-off spaces where the heat stays low.
Thawing safely
Thawing a Frozen Pipe: What Works and What to Avoid
- Open the faucet.Running water helps melt the ice, and an open tap gives the melting water somewhere to go.
- Use gentle, electric heat.The Red Cross lists an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater kept away from anything flammable. Towels soaked in hot water also work.
- Never use an open flame.No blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or any open-flame device. Keep electric heat away from standing water.
- Keep going until pressure is back.Apply heat until full water pressure returns, then check every other faucet in the house for more frozen pipes.
- Can’t reach it or can’t thaw it?Call a licensed plumber. Frozen pipes inside walls and ceilings are a job for a professional.
If thawing shows a leak
When the Ice Melts and the Water Starts: Shut Off the Main
Ice can split a pipe without anyone noticing until it thaws. If you see water spraying, dripping from a ceiling, or pooling under a sink, turn off the main water valve right away. Gwinnett County says it’s usually at the front of the house near the hose connection, in the basement near the water heater, in the garage, or in a utility closet.
Then stay clear of water near outlets or the breaker panel, photograph the damage, and get the right help: a licensed plumber repairs the pipe, and a restoration contractor extracts the water and dries the house. Our burst pipe page walks through the next steps.
Water Already Escaping? Start With Three Clear Answers
- Are you the property owner or authorized contact?
- Is there active water damage inside the property?
- Is the affected property in Gwinnett County, Georgia?
Straight answers
Frozen Pipe FAQs
Does a frozen pipe always burst?
No. Many frozen pipes thaw without damage. But ice expands, and the pressure it builds can split a pipe, often somewhere you can’t see. That’s why the safest approach is to thaw it with the faucet open and watch for leaks as the water comes back.
Should I call a plumber or a restoration contractor?
A licensed plumber handles the frozen or broken pipe itself. If water has already soaked floors, walls or ceilings, a restoration contractor handles extraction and drying. Some situations need both. We route calls to independent restoration providers; we don’t do the repair or the cleanup ourselves.
Is a split pipe covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy and the circumstances, so check with your insurer. Photographs of the pipe and every wet room, taken before anything is moved, make that conversation easier.
How do I keep a pipe from freezing again?
Gwinnett County’s winter guidance: on nights below freezing, open sink cabinet doors on outside walls and let faucets drip overnight (warm water from a single-handle faucet, both hot and cold from a two-handle faucet), turning them off once the freeze passes. Insulate exposed pipes in the attic, crawl space or garage, and keep the heat at 55°F or higher. The full checklist is on our freeze prep page.
Is the frozen pipe the county’s problem?
Gwinnett County says broken pipes on the customer’s side of the water meter are the property owner’s responsibility. For a problem on the public side, contact Gwinnett County Water Resources directly at (678) 376-7000.
Sources: American Red Cross — Frozen pipes · Gwinnett County — Protect your pipes from the winter cold · Gwinnett County Water Resources — contact. Photos: Pexels (free to use).