Frozen Pipes in Illinois: How to Prevent a Burst and What to Do

When temperatures drop in Illinois, water inside exposed or poorly insulated pipes can freeze. As the ice expands, it can put pressure on a pipe and cause it to crack or burst. A little preparation before a cold snap can lower the risk. If a pipe does break, quick action can limit how much water spreads through your home.

Why Pipes Freeze

Pipes are more vulnerable when they run through unheated spaces, such as crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls, basements, or under sinks along outside walls. A stretch of very cold weather can also put pipes at risk, especially if the home loses heat or sits empty.

Get Your Home Ready for a Cold Snap

Before severe cold arrives, check for pipes in drafty or poorly heated areas. Insulate exposed pipes where practical and seal drafts near plumbing openings. Keep the home heated consistently, including when you are away. Open cabinet doors under sinks so warmer room air can circulate around pipes, particularly those on exterior walls.

During especially cold weather, letting a small, steady trickle of water run from a faucet served by vulnerable pipes may help reduce the chance of freezing. If you will be away, ask someone to check the home. Make sure you know where the main water shutoff valve is.

What to Do If You Think a Pipe Is Frozen

If a faucet slows to a trickle or stops during freezing weather, a pipe may be frozen. Keep the faucet open while you warm the pipe so melting water has somewhere to go. If the frozen section is visible and easy to reach, warm it gradually with warm towels. Never use a torch, candle, or other open flame. Do not use an electrical device where water is present, and stop if you cannot work safely.

If you cannot locate the frozen section, it is inside a wall, or the pipe does not begin to thaw, contact a licensed plumber. If you find a leak or burst pipe, act promptly.

If a Pipe Bursts

1. If it is safe, turn off the home’s main water supply. If you do not know where the shutoff is, contact a plumber or your water utility for help.

2. Keep away from standing water near outlets, appliances, or electrical wiring. If water may have reached electrical equipment, do not enter the area.

3. Call a plumber to repair the pipe. Once it is safe, remove water and begin drying affected areas. Water can travel under flooring, behind walls, and into insulation, so visible puddles may not show the full extent of the moisture.

4. Take photos or video of the damage and wet belongings when it is safe. Contact your insurance company about your policy and next steps.

Watch for Signs of Hidden Moisture

After the leak is stopped, look for damp drywall, bubbling paint, swollen trim, wet carpet, or a musty odor. These signs can appear away from the broken pipe because water may travel through building materials. Thorough drying helps reduce the chance of continuing damage. If water reached multiple rooms, flooring, walls, or hard-to-reach spaces, professional water removal and structural drying may help identify and dry affected areas.

Get Help After Water Damage

A frozen pipe can cause damage quickly, but you can take practical steps: prepare before the cold arrives, learn where the water shutoff is, and act promptly if a pipe leaks. Water Damage Pros Illinois helps homeowners with water removal and structural drying after water damage. Contact our team to discuss the affected areas and next steps for your home.