Indiana winters regularly bring stretches of single-digit temperatures and wind chills below zero. Pipes inside heated living space usually handle it. The trouble spots are the ones near the cold: exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces, and the rim joist in the basement.
Where pipes tend to freeze in Fishers homes
- Kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls, especially behind closed cabinets
- Lines running through an attached garage or over a garage ceiling
- Outdoor faucets with a hose left attached
- Lawn irrigation backflow devices that weren’t winterized
- Crawl spaces and basement rim joists where cold air leaks in
- Homes where the heat was turned way down during travel
The leak often starts when it warms up
Ice inside a cracked pipe can act like a plug. When the temperature climbs, the ice melts and water starts pouring out, sometimes inside a wall or ceiling where you won’t see it right away. Low water pressure during a freeze, a hissing sound, or a new stain are all reasons to shut off the main and look closer.
What to do
- Close the main shutoff, typically in the basement near the meter.
- Open a faucet on the lowest level to drain pressure.
- Stay away from water near outlets, ceiling lights, and the panel.
- Photograph the damage and the pipe if you can see it.
- Call a plumber for the repair and {{PHONE}} for a referral to a water damage provider.
What drying usually involves
Burst pipes often soak hidden spaces. Providers commonly open small sections of drywall so wall cavities can dry, extract water from carpet and the basement, and run dehumidifiers with daily readings. A leak upstairs can reach the basement, so expect them to check below the break too.
Before the next cold snap
- Disconnect hoses and winterize irrigation before the first hard freeze.
- Open sink cabinets on outside walls on the coldest nights.
- Let a faucet drip when temperatures drop well below freezing.
- Keep the heat on (many people use 55°F or higher) when you travel.
- Seal gaps near pipes in the garage and basement rim joist.
Related: flooded basement cleanup and mold remediation.
Quick answers
Is frozen pipe damage covered?
Policies differ. Sudden bursts are often handled differently from slow leaks or damage in a home left without heat. Ask your insurer about your specific policy.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
If you can reach it safely and there is no standing water, gentle heat like a hair dryer is common. Never use an open flame. Call a plumber if you aren’t sure.