Do these things first
If a faucet gives only a trickle or nothing, a pipe may be frozen. Act now, before it thaws on its own and bursts.
- Open the faucetLeave the tap on, even a trickle. This lets steam and pressure escape as the ice melts.
- Find the main shutoffKnow where it is. If a pipe bursts, turn it off right away.
- Look for the frozen spotCheck pipes along exterior walls, in the garage, in the crawlspace and near the basement ceiling.
- Warm the roomTurn up the heat and open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Call if you see waterA wet ceiling, a bulge or a drip means the pipe has split. Shut off the main and call (630) 822-9290.
Dispatch is open 24/7, nights and weekends included. If water is already moving, say so right away.
How to thaw a frozen pipe safely
Only thaw a pipe that you can reach, and only if there is no sign of a split. Go slowly.
- 1
Keep the tap open
Water must have a way out as it thaws.
- 2
Apply gentle heat
Use a hair dryer on low or warm towels. Start at the faucet end and work toward the frozen part.
- 3
Be patient
It can take a while. Do not rush it with more heat.
- 4
Check for leaks
Once water flows, look along the pipe and the ceiling and walls nearby for any drip.
- 5
Leave it flowing a little
A slow trickle of water on the next cold night can help keep it from refreezing.
What not to do
Some thaw methods turn a nuisance into a fire or an injury.
- No open flameA torch, a lighter or a camp stove on a pipe can scorch framing and start a fire.
- No space heater under a wet areaKeep heaters away from water and from anything that can burn.
- No boiling water on a pipeA sudden temperature jump can crack a pipe or a fixture.
- No walking awayA thawing pipe can burst and flood a room while you are in another.
- No chemicalsChemical products do nothing for ice in a supply line.
If you cannot reach the frozen section, or it is behind a wall or under a slab, call. Our burst pipe repair team can thaw and repair lines that you cannot get to.
Where pipes tend to freeze and what to do
Freezing follows cold air. The places that feel drafty are the usual suspects.
| Location | Why it freezes | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior walls | Cold air reaches the pipe through the wall cavity | Open the cabinet door and heat the room |
| Garage | Often unheated and drafty | Close the door, run a small heater away from water |
| Crawlspace or basement ceiling | Cold air from vents or gaps | Seal gaps and add insulation |
| Outdoor hose bibs | The pipe sits in the cold wall | Disconnect hoses in fall |
| Attic runs | Exposed to the coldest air | Add insulation and keep the attic closed |
Which pipes in your home are at risk depends on how the house was built and where the pipes run.
What this means in Darien
Darien homes date from the 1960s onward, after the Marion Hills, Brookhaven, Farmingdale and Hinsbrook subdivisions grew up and incorporated in 1969. In houses of that era, pipes can run through exterior walls, garage ceilings and crawlspace areas that were less insulated than current practice. Check those spots first on a cold night.
If water stops at every tap, and neighbors report the same, the problem may be on the street side. The City's water operator number is (630) 353-8105. Darien buys treated Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago, so a street outage is a City matter, not something your plumber can thaw.
If a pipe splits and you need to change the plumbing, ask the City of Darien Community Development Department, 1702 Plainfield Rd, whether a permit applies. Illinois requires a license for plumbing work.
Pipe frozen or already leaking?
Call the emergency line. We will tell you where to shut off the water and what to do until a plumber arrives.
After the thaw: check for damage
A pipe that froze may have cracked even if it is not leaking yet. Ice can split a pipe along its length, and the leak only shows once the ice melts and pressure returns. Watch the area for an hour or two after thawing.
Look for damp drywall, a stain that spreads or a hissing sound. If water appears and you cannot see where it comes from, our leak detection team can trace it.
A replacement section should be installed to the standards in the Illinois Plumbing Code (Title 77, Part 890 of the Illinois Administrative Code) and insulated as the pipe maker's manufacturer guidelines direct.
What affects the price of frozen pipe repair
There is no flat price because every freeze is different. You hear a clear price before work starts.
Call (630) 822-9290 for a clear price.
How to keep it from happening again
Insulate exposed pipes where they run through cold spaces. Seal gaps where cold air enters near pipes. On very cold nights, open cabinet doors and let a faucet drip.
If a pipe in an outside wall freezes more than once, ask about rerouting or insulating it. Our whole house repiping page covers larger fixes for failing supply piping.
Frozen pipe questions from Darien homeowners
Yes. Dispatch is open 24/7. If a pipe has split or water is moving, call (630) 822-9290 right away and we will tell you what to shut off while a plumber is on the way.
Not always. Ice can crack a pipe without leaking until the ice melts. Keep the tap open, watch for water and be ready to shut off the main.
A slow trickle on a very cold night can help keep water moving. It is a stopgap, not a fix, and it does not replace insulation.
Policies vary. Many cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe. Check yours, take photos and keep receipts.
Permits are required whenever plumbing is changed. Ask the City of Darien Community Development Department. Illinois requires a license for plumbing work.
Yes. The same line covers Downers Grove, Woodridge and the other nearby towns. Tell dispatch your address.