Central Ohio winters swing from mild days to hard freezes, and a cold snap can drop temperatures below 0°F. When water in a pipe freezes, it expands. That can split a pipe or crack a fitting. Often you don't know until the ice melts and water starts pouring out, sometimes inside a wall or ceiling.

The good news: most frozen pipes can be prevented with a little planning. Here's where pipes freeze in local homes, what to do before the cold hits and how to handle a frozen or burst pipe.

Where Pipes Freeze in Central Ohio Homes

In homes around Delaware and Union counties, these are the usual spots:

  • Exterior walls. Water lines in outside walls sit close to the cold, especially on the north side.
  • Kitchen sinks on an outside wall. A sink under a window is a classic trouble spot. Closed cabinet doors keep room heat away from the pipes.
  • Garages. Lines that run through garage walls or ceilings, or feed a utility sink, are only as warm as the garage.
  • Crawl spaces. Vents, gaps and thin insulation let cold air sweep across the pipes.
  • Rim joists. In a basement, the wood framing that sits on top of the foundation is often drafty. Pipes running along it can freeze even when the basement feels warm.
  • Bonus rooms over garages. A bathroom or wet bar above an unheated garage often has pipes in the floor between the two spaces. You'll find this layout in many of the area's newer subdivisions.

Before a Cold Snap: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

When a hard freeze is in the forecast:

  • Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air reaches the pipes.
  • Let faucets drip. A slow, steady drip from a faucet on an outside wall keeps water moving. On a single-handle faucet, set the handle in the middle so both the hot and cold lines drip.
  • Keep the thermostat steady, day and night. Skip the overnight setback during a cold snap. The early morning hours are often the coldest.
  • Keep the heat on when you're away. Set it no lower than 55°F, and ask someone to check the house if you'll be gone during freezing weather.
  • Seal drafts. Use caulk or spray foam on gaps where pipes, wires or vents pass through exterior walls and along the rim joist. If your crawl space has vents, close or cover them for winter.
  • Insulate exposed pipes. Foam pipe sleeves are easy to put on pipes in basements, crawl spaces and garages.
  • Keep the garage door closed, especially if water lines run through the garage or a room sits above it.

Before Winter: Find Your Main Shutoff

If a pipe bursts, you need to shut off the water fast. That's hard if you've never looked for the valve.

  • In many homes, the main shutoff is in the basement where the water line comes through the foundation, often near the water meter.
  • In homes without a basement, check the utility room, the garage or the crawl space.
  • On a private well, look near the pressure tank.

Once you find it, make sure it turns. Valves that sit untouched for years can stick or leak. Hang a tag on it and show everyone in the house where it is. If yours is stuck, have it replaced now, not in the middle of an emergency.

How to Tell a Pipe Is Frozen

  • A faucet gives only a trickle, or nothing, on a cold morning while other faucets work fine.
  • A toilet doesn't refill after a flush.
  • You can see frost on an exposed pipe, or a section looks bulged.
  • The problem lines up with one of the cold spots above.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe Safely

  1. Open the faucet the pipe feeds. Moving water helps melt the rest of the ice.
  2. Start near the faucet and work back toward the frozen section.
  3. Use gentle heat. A hair dryer, a heating pad or warm towels work well. A space heater works too, if you keep it a safe distance from anything that can burn and never leave it unattended.
  4. Never use an open flame. No torches, lighters or fuel-burning heaters.
  5. Keep electrical devices away from water. If water is dripping or pooling, don't plug anything in nearby.
  6. Watch for leaks as it thaws. A pipe can crack while frozen and only start leaking once the ice melts.

Call us if you can't find the frozen section, it's inside a wall or ceiling, or it isn't thawing. Our frozen pipe repair team can thaw the line and fix any damage.

If a Pipe Bursts

Move fast. A burst pipe can soak floors, walls and ceilings quickly.

  1. Shut off the main water valve.
  2. Turn off power to the area if water is near outlets, lights or appliances. Only do this if you can reach the electrical panel without standing in water.
  3. Open faucets on the lowest level to drain the water left in the lines.
  4. Move what you can out of the water and take photos for your insurance claim.
  5. Call a plumber. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service.

Frozen Pipe FAQs

Should I shut off my water when I leave for a winter trip?

For a longer trip, it's good protection. Shut off the main, open a faucet to relieve pressure and keep the heat on. If you have a boiler or a fire sprinkler system, talk with us first.

Will a pipe that froze once freeze again?

It can, unless something changes. Insulating the pipe, sealing nearby drafts or rerouting it to a warmer spot can stop the cycle.

Can PEX pipe freeze?

Yes. PEX can stretch more than copper, but it can still freeze, and the fittings can still crack.

Frozen or Burst Pipe? Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Delaware

If a pipe is frozen or has burst, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Delaware or book online. We're available 24/7 for emergencies. We're The Punctual Plumber®: if we're late to your scheduled appointment, we pay you $5 a minute, up to $300. Our licensed plumbers (Ohio License #12313) offer StraightForward Pricing®, so you see and approve the price before work starts, plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We serve homeowners across Delaware and Union counties.