Frozen pipes catch people in two ways: homes in mild climates that rarely see a hard freeze, and the thaw afterward, when a pipe that split in the cold finally starts to leak.
Pipes in attics, crawlspaces, garages, exterior walls and under sinks on outside walls are the ones that freeze. Homes in places where hard freezes are rare often have more of them, so a cold night that's routine up north can catch a house in Atlanta, Dallas or Charlotte.
Little or no water from a faucet on a cold morning, or frost on an exposed pipe, usually means a frozen section.
A pipe that split while frozen often doesn't leak until the ice melts, so the water can show up hours or a day after the cold breaks, sometimes while you're out.
A pipe split inside a wall, ceiling or attic, water ran before you found it, it reached drywall, insulation, carpet or a floor below, or areas are still damp after two days.
A split you caught quickly in a crawlspace, garage or basement. Fix the pipe, dry with fans and a dehumidifier, and check that nearby walls stay dry.
A pipe that froze and thawed without leaking. Check the line under pressure once it's thawed, and protect it before the next cold night.
Water damage from a pipe that suddenly bursts is commonly treated as covered, while the pipe repair itself may not be. Frozen-pipe claims often depend on whether the heat was kept on, or the water was shut off and the lines drained in an empty home, so note what you did and when. Photograph the damage and the broken pipe, keep receipts, and call your insurer early. They make the coverage decision.
Not sure if a pipe split? Ask the advisor and describe what you're seeing.
Pipes in unheated or outside-wall spaces are at risk whenever it stays below freezing for several hours, and the risk climbs quickly as temperatures drop toward about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind and how well the pipe is protected matter as much as the number.
Yes, for faucets on outside walls or fed by pipes in unheated spaces. A thin, steady trickle keeps water moving and relieves pressure if ice forms. On a single-handle faucet, set it to the middle so both the hot and cold lines move.
Ice can split a pipe while it's frozen and also plug the split. When the ice melts, water starts flowing through the crack. That's why leaks often show up hours or a day after the cold breaks.
Sudden water damage from a burst pipe is commonly covered, though the pipe repair may not be. Many policies expect that the heat was kept on, or the water was shut off and drained in an empty home. Your insurer decides.
Talk to an independent water damage specialist. No obligation, and they can tell you if you need them at all.
(888) 845-1163