A Michigan winter tests every home's plumbing. When the temperature drops into the single digits for days, any pipe running through an unheated space — a crawl space, an exterior wall, the garage, an uninsulated basement corner — is at risk of freezing. And a frozen pipe isn't just an inconvenience; when the ice expands, it can split the pipe and flood the house the moment it thaws.
If a faucet has slowed to a trickle on a bitter cold morning, you likely have a pipe starting to freeze. That's the moment to act, before it becomes a burst. Keep the faucet open, and if you can find the frozen section, gentle heat can help — but never an open flame, which cracks pipe and starts fires.
We respond fast in winter because timing is everything. We thaw frozen pipes safely, and if one has already burst, we get the water shut down and the line repaired before the damage spreads.
Then we deal with the real fix: why it froze in the first place. That's insulation, sealing drafts, and sometimes rerouting a vulnerable line. Read our advice on preventing frozen pipes, and if one has already let go, our emergency plumbing team is on call 24/7.
Signs of a frozen or burst pipe
A faucet that's barely trickling
On a very cold morning, little or no water from a tap means ice is forming in that line. This is your window to act before pressure builds and the pipe splits.
Frost or bulging on an exposed pipe
Visible frost on a pipe, or a section that looks swollen, means it's frozen. A bulge is a warning that the ice has expanded enough to be close to rupturing the pipe wall.
Water where it shouldn't be
If a pipe has already burst, you may see water or hear it running inside a wall or ceiling. Shut off the main immediately and call — the flooding won't stop until the water is off.
Strange smells from a drain
An odd odor from a faucet or drain in deep cold can indicate a frozen and blocked line, with the smell forced back toward the fixture. It's worth checking before it becomes a break.
Recurring freezes in the same spot
A pipe that freezes winter after winter in the same place has an insulation or draft problem that hasn't been solved. The lasting fix is protecting that run, not thawing it every January.
What's Included
- Safe thawing of frozen pipes (never with an open flame)
- Burst-pipe repair and section replacement
- Locating the freeze point in walls, crawl spaces, and garages
- Pipe insulation and freeze-prevention upgrades
- Outdoor faucet/hose-bib winterization and repair
- Emergency water shut-off and damage-limiting response
How we thaw and repair frozen pipes
- 1
We locate the freeze and stop the water
We find the frozen section and, if there's any sign of a burst, shut off the main first to prevent flooding. Controlling the water is always step one in the cold.
- 2
We thaw it safely
We warm the pipe with controlled, safe heat to melt the blockage — never an open flame, which damages pipe and risks fire. Done right, the line comes back without cracking.
- 3
We repair any burst
If the freeze already split the pipe, we cut out the damaged section and replace it with sound pipe, testing the repair under pressure before restoring full water to the home.
- 4
We find why it froze
A pipe that froze once will freeze again if nothing changes. We identify the cold spot — an uninsulated run, a draft, an exposed line — that let it happen.
- 5
We freeze-proof the vulnerable spot
We insulate the pipe, seal the drafts feeding cold to it, and where needed suggest rerouting or heat tape. The goal is that this particular pipe doesn't freeze on you again.
What Affects the Cost
A simple thaw and a burst-pipe repair with water damage are very different jobs, and the freeze-proofing that follows is separate again. We quote in writing once we've seen it — here's what shapes the cost.
- Whether the pipe is only frozen or has already burst
- How accessible the frozen or broken section is
- The length of pipe that needs to be replaced after a burst
- How much water escaped and whether cleanup is involved
- Insulation, sealing, or rerouting to prevent it recurring
- Whether it's a 24/7 emergency call during a hard freeze
- The pipe material and the age of the surrounding plumbing
We always give you a written, upfront price before any work begins — no surprises. Call (207) 419-2600 for a free estimate.
Why Flushing Homeowners Choose Us for Frozen Pipe Repair
Winter-emergency ready
December-through-February freezes are our busiest emergency calls — we answer 24/7 and move fast.
We prevent the next freeze
After the repair we insulate the vulnerable runs so the same pipe doesn't split again next cold snap.
Safe thawing, always
We thaw pipes the right way — no torches, no fire risk — and fix the burst properly, not with a temporary patch.
Where We Provide Frozen Pipe Repair
We handle frozen pipe repair for homes and businesses across Flushing and all of Genesee County — including Flint, Flushing Township, Swartz Creek, Montrose, Mount Morris, Clio, Burton, Grand Blanc. Don't see your town? See every area we serve or just call — we very likely cover you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do the second I realize a pipe is frozen?
Keep the affected faucet open so melting water can escape and relieve pressure, and locate your main shut-off in case it bursts. Apply gentle heat if you can reach it — never an open flame — and call us.
Will a frozen pipe always burst?
Not always, but the risk is real. As ice expands it builds pressure that can split the pipe, and the flooding often starts when it thaws. Acting while it's still frozen is far safer than waiting.
How can I keep my pipes from freezing?
Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls, seal drafts, disconnect hoses in fall, and on the coldest nights open cabinet doors and let a faucet drip. We can freeze-proof the weak spots for good.
Do you come out at night for a burst pipe?
Yes. A burst pipe is a true emergency and we answer 24/7 all winter, with no after-hours upcharge. Shut off your main water valve and call, and we'll get there as fast as we can.
A pipe froze but hasn't burst — what should I do?
Open the faucet it feeds so melting water can escape, and gently warm the pipe with a hair dryer or space heater — never an open flame. If you can't reach it, or it's already split, shut off your main water valve and call us right away.
How can I keep my pipes from freezing again?
Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, the garage, and along exterior walls; disconnect outdoor hoses; and let a faucet drip on the coldest nights. We can insulate the vulnerable runs during the repair so it doesn't happen again.
