Frozen or burst pipe in Minnetonka?
Call now to get connected with a local plumber who can thaw lines, find the split and stop the water before it reaches the drywall.
Tap to call now(763) 373-4253Answered 24/7. Tell us what happened and a local plumber serving Minnetonka will call you back.
Do this first if a pipe has burst
- Shut off the main water valve. It is usually in the basement, near the water meter where the line comes through the foundation wall.
- Turn off power to any area where water is reaching outlets, the furnace or the water heater.
- Open the faucets on the lowest floor to drain what is left in the lines.
- Move valuables and electronics out of the wet area and take photos for your insurance claim.
Signs a pipe is frozen
A faucet that gives a trickle or nothing at all on a cold morning is the classic sign. You may also see frost on an exposed pipe, smell something odd from a drain, or notice a bulge in a pipe running along an exterior wall. Lines in garages, crawl spaces, unheated porches and outside walls freeze first, along with kitchen sinks on exterior walls where cabinet doors keep warm air out.
What a plumber does
A plumber finds the frozen section, thaws it safely with heat cables, heat guns or a pipe-thawing machine, and checks it for splits once water is flowing again. A split pipe is cut out and replaced. If the same line keeps freezing, the fix is usually rerouting it, insulating the wall cavity or adding heat tape, not just thawing it again next January.
How to keep it from happening again
On sub-zero nights, let faucets on outside walls drip, open the cabinet doors under sinks and keep the thermostat steady overnight, including when you travel. Disconnect garden hoses in the fall and shut off the inside valve to outdoor spigots. Never thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch; it is a real fire risk and can make a pipe burst.
Frozen Pipe Repair in Minnetonka and nearby Hopkins, Wayzata, Deephaven, Excelsior, Shorewood, Eden Prairie, Plymouth and Golden Valley.
Common questions
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
If you can reach the pipe and it isn't cracked, gentle heat from a hair dryer or space heater with the faucet open can work. Do not use a torch or open flame. If you can't find the frozen section, or you see a split or water, call a plumber.
Will homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but not always the pipe itself, and coverage can depend on whether the home was kept heated. Check your policy and document the damage with photos before cleanup.
How fast can someone come out?
Response time depends on the day and the weather. Frozen-pipe calls spike during cold snaps, so call as soon as you notice the problem.
Need frozen pipe repair in Minnetonka?
Tap to call now(763) 373-4253Answered 24/7. Tell us what happened and a local plumber serving Minnetonka will call you back.