A pipe that freezes can split, and the water often shows only when the ice melts and the line runs again. Shut off the water supply if you can reach it, open the taps, and keep out of standing water near electrical outlets. Frozen-pipe damage is handled as a leak from the first call. Plumbing repairs need a licensed plumber in both states.
Key takeaways
- A split line may show no water while it is still frozen, and the water appears at the thaw.
- Shut off the supply at the main if it can be reached, and open the taps to relieve pressure.
- Repairs to supply lines need a licensed plumber: state-licensed in Connecticut, county-licensed in Westchester.
- This guide gives no freeze dates or frost depths, because none were confirmed for these towns.
Why does a frozen pipe burst at the thaw?
Water expands as it freezes, and a pipe can split while it is still full of ice. The water shows when the ice in the break melts and the line runs again.
A split line often shows nothing while it is still frozen. That is why a homeowner can find water in a room after a warm day, not during the cold snap.
Pipes in unheated spaces, along outside walls and in crawl spaces are the usual places to check first.
What should I do when I suspect a frozen pipe?
Shut off the water at the main if you can reach it, and open the taps to let pressure out. Do not use an open flame to thaw a pipe.
Keep out of standing water near electrical outlets and appliances. If the water is near the panel or the furnace, leave the area and call for help.
Once the water is found, call for water removal and drying. Photograph the water and the split if you can see it, and note the time you found it.
Who may repair a frozen supply line?
A plumber licensed by the state repairs supply lines in Connecticut. In Westchester, plumbers are licensed under the county's law and checked on its trade-licence search.
Confirm the plumber's licence before any pipe is cut, and ask who is replacing the broken section. The Connecticut licence is checked on elicense.ct.gov.
Ice dams are a separate winter problem. Snow, heat and cold can push meltwater into a ceiling, and wet insulation loses its insulating value as it compresses.
Frequently asked questions
Will a frozen pipe show up right away?
Not always. A split line can hold ice and show no water until the thaw. Check the walls, floor and ceiling near exposed pipes after a cold spell and after a warm day.
Is a burst pipe in a frozen house covered by my policy?
That depends on the policy and its terms, which this guide does not state. Photograph the damage, shut off the supply, and ask the insurer what applies.
How do I find out how cold it gets in my town?
This guide does not give freeze dates or frost depths, because none were confirmed for these towns. The National Weather Service publishes local observations.
Sources
This guide is general information for Fairfield County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.