Frozen Pipes: Prevent, Thaw and When to Call

Which pipes freeze in Indianapolis homes?

Searches for frozen pipes in Indianapolis jump in December and January, when cold snaps drop well below freezing. The pipes most at risk are:

• Pipes in exterior walls, especially under kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Pipes in crawlspaces, unheated garages and attics
• Outdoor hose bibs and lawn irrigation lines that weren't drained
• Pipes near foundation vents, dryer vents or gaps where cold air gets in

How do I thaw a frozen pipe safely?

1. Open the faucet the frozen pipe feeds, so melting water can flow and relieve pressure.
2. Warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer, a heating pad or warm towels, starting nearest the faucet and working back.
3. Keep warming until full water pressure returns, then check the length of the pipe for leaks.
4. Never use an open flame, a torch or a propane heater, and keep space heaters away from anything that can burn.

If you can't find or reach the frozen section, or more than one tap is affected, call 317-314-8486. A plumber has tools to thaw lines safely and can check for splits.

Signs a frozen pipe has burst

• Water dripping or spraying when the pipe thaws
• Damp or bulging drywall, or water stains on ceilings
• A sudden drop in water pressure, or the water meter spinning with every tap off

Shut off the main water valve straight away. It's usually where the water line enters the house, in the basement, crawlspace or a utility closet. Then call 317-314-8486. Angi puts burst pipe and main line leak repairs in Indianapolis at $1,000 to $4,500 (Angi, plumber cost in Indianapolis), so stopping the water fast keeps damage down. See emergency plumber.

How do I stop pipes freezing?

• Keep the heat at 55 degrees or higher, even when you're away
• On the coldest nights, let faucets on outside walls drip and open the cabinet doors underneath
• Disconnect garden hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets before winter
• Insulate pipes in crawlspaces, garages and attics, and seal drafts near pipes
• Close foundation vents and garage doors during a cold snap
• Have the furnace checked in fall, because a furnace failure is how many pipes freeze; see furnace repair

Leaving home in winter?

Keep the heat on, ask someone to check the house during a long cold spell, and consider shutting off the main water valve and draining the lines if the house will be empty for weeks.

How this works: Plumbers in Indianapolis Today is a referral service. When you call 317-314-8486, we connect you with an independent, licensed contractor who serves your area. The contractor quotes, performs and stands behind the work, not us.

Sources

• Angi, plumber cost in Indianapolis

Updated November 2, 2026. Figures are published averages, not quotes. Your price depends on the job, the equipment and access, and the contractor will quote before any work starts.