Frozen Pipe Water Damage Cleanup in Anoka, MN

Pipes do not leak while they are frozen. The damage starts when they thaw. We clean up and dry what that water leaves behind.

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Why frozen pipes cause water damage

Water expands when it freezes. Ice forming inside a pipe raises the pressure between the blockage and the closed faucet until the pipe or a fitting splits. No water escapes while the ice holds. When temperatures rise and the ice melts, water runs out of the split under full pressure.

Where pipes freeze in Minnesota homes

Kitchen and bathroom supply lines on exterior walls, especially north-facing
Pipes in rooms over an attached garage
Lines running through rim joists and crawl spaces
Outdoor hose bibs where the hose was left attached
Cabins, rentals and vacant houses with the heat turned down or off
Homes where the furnace failed during a cold snap

Anoka sees stretches of weather well below zero most winters. A night at 15 or 20 below with wind is when lines that survived every other winter finally freeze.

If the pipe is frozen but has not leaked yet

Open the faucet it feeds. A trickle means it is not fully blocked.
Know where the main shutoff is and make sure it turns.
Warm the area gently: open cabinet doors, run a space heater in the room, use a hair dryer on the pipe.
Never use a torch or open flame.
Watch the pipe as it thaws. If it starts to leak, close the main.

If it has already thawed and leaked

Shut off the main, cut power to wet areas if safe, and request service. The steps are the same as any burst pipe, with two differences specific to freezing.

What is different about frozen pipe losses

There may be more than one break

The cold that froze one line usually reached others. It is common to repair one split, turn the water on and find a second. Turn the water back on slowly with someone watching.

The water often ran for a long time

Many frozen pipe losses happen in empty houses. Water may have run for days, through several levels. These are larger jobs with more material to remove.

Exterior walls are harder to dry

The wet cavity is full of insulation and the outside face is cold. Wet insulation is removed and the cavity is dried with warmth and air movement.

Preventing the next one

Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher when away.
Disconnect garden hoses before the first hard freeze.
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during extreme cold.
Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights.
Have someone check the house every day or two if you travel in winter.

Our frozen pipe water damage guide has more on prevention and thawing.

Common questions

At what temperature do pipes freeze?

Pipes are at risk when the outdoor temperature drops to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, particularly lines in uninsulated exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages. Wind and drafts through small gaps make freezing more likely.

Will a frozen pipe always burst?

No. Many frozen pipes thaw without damage. The risk depends on the pipe material, where the ice forms and how much pressure builds. Because you cannot tell from outside, watch any frozen pipe closely as it thaws.

Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipe damage?

Frozen pipe damage is commonly covered when the home was occupied and heated. Policies often exclude losses in vacant homes or where heat was not maintained. Review your policy or ask your carrier.

How do I find where the pipe split?

Look for the wettest spot on a wall or ceiling, listen for spraying or hissing with the water on, and check exterior walls first. A plumber can locate and repair the break; we handle the water damage around it.

A frozen pipe just let go?

Shut off the main and tell us where the water is showing.