Do these four things in order
Whether the pipe is frozen or already split, start here.
Close the main water shutoff
Turn the valve fully off, usually near where the line enters the house or by the water meter. If water is already spraying, this stops the damage.
Open the faucets
Open a faucet on the same line, cold and hot, to relieve pressure and let melting water drain once it thaws.
Stay clear of wet electrics
If water reaches outlets, panels or appliances, leave and call a licensed electrician. Do not stand in water to reach a panel.
Call the 24/7 line
Tell dispatch whether the pipe is frozen or leaking. A licensed plumber can repair the break and check the rest of the line.
Frozen is not the same as burst
A frozen pipe is blocked by ice but may be whole. A burst pipe has split, often at the point where the ice expanded, and leaks once the ice melts. That is why a pipe that seems fine while frozen can flood the house an hour after it thaws.
Shutting off the main before you thaw anything is the safe default in a Shelbyville winter. Guidelines from the American Red Cross and the Insurance Information Institute both advise shutting off the main water valve first and opening taps to relieve pressure.
| Sign | Likely frozen | Likely burst |
|---|---|---|
| Faucet runs | Trickle or nothing | Water stain, bulge or drip near the pipe |
| Sound | Silence or gurgle | Hissing or running water inside a wall |
| Pipe surface | Frost or bulge | Visible split or wet wall |
| What to do first | Close the main, thaw gently | Close the main, call a plumber |
| Risk after thaw | Leak at a hidden split | Flooding, ceiling damage |
Where pipes freeze in Indiana homes
Exterior walls
Kitchen and bath supply lines inside an outside wall have little insulation between them and the cold.
Crawlspaces and rim joists
Cold air leaks around the sill plate, so lines running along it chill first.
Garages and unheated utility rooms
A water heater or laundry line in a garage has no heat unless you provide it.
Hose bibs and outdoor lines
A hose left attached traps water in the bib. Frozen water splits the valve from inside the wall.
Attic and ceiling runs
Lines above insulation sit in the coldest air when insulation is pushed over them.
Thaw it safely
Safe ways to thaw
- Hair dryer on low, moving along the pipe
- Warm towels wrapped around the pipe
- Small space heater, never left unattended
- Open the faucet so melting water can drain
Never do this
- Open flame such as a torch or lighter
- Propane or kerosene heaters in a closed space
- Boiling water poured on plastic or brittle pipe
- Leaving a heater near insulation or wet floors
Start at the faucet end and work back toward the frozen spot, so melting water has a path out. If the pipe is in a wall or under a slab, stop and call a plumber instead of cutting open drywall yourself. Heat on a plastic pipe or near insulation can start a fire.
The 30 inch frost line
The City of Shelbyville's building codes page lists a frost line depth of 30 inches under its climatic and geographic design criteria. That is how deep the ground can freeze, and buried pipes are meant to sit below it.
A service line laid shallower than 30 inches, or one with little soil cover where it enters a foundation, is a candidate for freezing. If you find a recurring frozen line, ask a plumber about the burial depth. Call 811 before anyone digs, at least two business days ahead.
Source type: City of Shelbyville Building Codes page (information dated January 2020) and Indiana 811
Pipe frozen or leaking right now?
Close the main, then call the 24/7 line. Describe what you see and dispatch will tell you what to do while you wait.
Prevent the next freeze
Do these before the hardest cold arrives.
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses, then shut the bib's indoor valve
- Seal gaps at the rim joist and around pipe entries
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during a hard freeze
- Let a faucet drip when the forecast is severe
- Know where your main shutoff is and test the handle
- Keep the thermostat steady if you travel
If a buried line goes dry in winter, the problem may sit outside. Our water service line repair page covers frozen and cracked lines between the street and the house. We cover Fairland and Waldron too.
Frozen pipe questions from Shelby County homes
A slow drip keeps water moving and relieves pressure between the ice and the faucet. It helps on exterior-wall lines in a hard freeze. It does not replace insulation or sealing air leaks.
There is no safe clock. Ice expands and pressure builds, and the split often shows up after thawing. Close the main and thaw gently.
Only products made for pipes, installed per instructions. Do not wrap an old or damaged heat cable. Use a hair dryer for quick thawing.
Many homeowner policies cover sudden burst-pipe water damage, but not the cost to replace the pipe itself in every case. Read your policy and call your insurer.
Yes. The 24/7 line is open at night, on weekends and on holidays. Close the main shutoff and describe what you see so dispatch can send a licensed plumber.
The City of Shelbyville lists a 30 inch frost line in its building codes information. Buried water lines should sit below that depth, so a line laid shallower may freeze.