Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Fort Wayne, IN

Why pipes freeze in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne's average January brings lows in the teens, and arctic outbreaks push well below zero; the all-time record is minus 24, set in January 1918 (National Weather Service Northern Indiana, Fort Wayne Climate). City Utilities notes that pipes in basements, unheated crawl spaces and outside walls are especially prone to freezing, and that both hot and cold lines can freeze (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions). The usual trouble spots in local homes:

• Supply lines running along the rim joist at the top of a basement wall, where cold air leaks in.
• Kitchen sinks on exterior walls, especially in older homes with little insulation.
• Pipes in crawlspaces and unheated additions or bump-outs.
• Lines and water meters in attached garages.
• Outdoor faucets (hose bibbs) that were left with a hose attached.
• Sump pump discharge lines where they exit the house.

Signs a pipe is frozen

• A faucet that gives a trickle or nothing on a very cold morning.
• Frost on an exposed pipe.
• A toilet that does not refill.
• No water anywhere in the house while neighbors have water: possibly a frozen service line or meter.

What to do with a frozen pipe

1. Open the faucet the pipe feeds, so water can flow as it thaws and pressure can escape.
2. Find the frozen section if you can, usually the part on an outside wall or nearest the cold.
3. Warm it slowly. A hair dryer, warm towels, or a space heater kept a safe distance away. City Utilities suggests wrapping the section with towels and pouring hot water over it. Never use an open flame or torch.
4. Be ready to shut off the main in case the pipe has split and starts leaking once it thaws.
5. If you cannot find the freeze, or it seems to be in the line under the yard, it is a job for a plumber. City Utilities says owners are expected to try to resolve the problem first; the plumber can ask the utility for help if the freeze cannot be located or thawed (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions).

If a pipe has burst

Close the main shut-off, cut power to wet areas if you can do it safely, and open a low faucet to drain the lines. Take photos. A burst pipe usually means replacing the split section, and it is a good time to ask whether the line can be rerouted inside the heated space or better insulated so it does not happen again.

The meter is yours to protect

City Utilities says the water meter is the customer's responsibility, and the customer is liable for damage if it freezes. If your meter is in a crawlspace or garage, cover or protect it and keep the garage door closed in cold weather (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions).

Preventing the next freeze

• Seal drafts at the rim joist and close crawlspace vents in winter.
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, or use heat cable rated for the purpose.
• Disconnect hoses in fall and shut off and drain outside faucets from inside, or install frost-free hose bibbs.
• During extreme cold, open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a thin stream of water run.
• Keep the heat at a steady temperature at night and when you travel, never shutting it off.
• Know where the main shut-off is and make sure it turns.

Related guides

• How to Find Your Main Water Shut-Off in a Fort Wayne Home

Sources: Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions; National Weather Service Northern Indiana, Fort Wayne Climate; American Red Cross, Frozen Pipes.