Guides
How to prevent frozen pipes in Utah — and what to do if it's too late
Utah winters freeze exposed and unprotected pipes fast. Here's how to prevent it, what to do the moment it happens, and when to call a plumber.
Why Utah winters burst pipes
Cold snaps in Utah don't need to last long to cause damage. Any pipe running through an unheated space — a crawlspace, an exterior wall, a garage, an attic — can drop to freezing temperature well before the rest of the house feels it. Water expands as it freezes, and that expansion is what splits copper and PVC alike. The pipe doesn't have to be old or damaged to fail; it just has to be exposed and cold long enough.
The tricky part is that the freeze itself is often silent. You don't usually know a pipe has frozen until water either stops flowing or starts flowing somewhere it shouldn't.
Prevention before winter hits
The basics matter more than anything fancy: insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces, garages, and attics before the cold arrives, not after. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and cover the most common failure points. Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off exterior hose bibs if they have a separate shutoff, since these are some of the first lines to freeze.
Seal drafts around foundation vents, garage doors, and anywhere cold air can reach plumbing directly. If you're leaving town for an extended period during winter, don't turn the heat off — keep it set to at least the mid-50s, and consider shutting off the main water supply and draining the system if you'll be gone for an extended stretch.
What to do the moment a pipe freezes
If a faucet suddenly has little or no flow during a cold snap, treat that as an early warning, not a coincidence. Leave the faucet open so water has somewhere to go once it thaws, and add heat to the area if you can safely do so — a space heater near an open cabinet under a sink, for example. Never use an open flame to try to thaw a pipe.
If you can see the frozen section and it's accessible, gentle warming with a hair dryer or heating pad can help, working from the faucet end toward the blockage. If you can't find or reach the frozen section, that's the point to call a plumber rather than keep guessing.
If it's already burst — shut off the main and call
A burst pipe is a different situation entirely. Shut off the main water supply immediately — know where that shutoff is before you ever need it. Shutting off the water stops the damage from getting worse while you wait for help. Turn off the water heater too if the burst is affecting hot water lines.
Once the main is off, call a plumber. This isn't a fix-it-yourself situation once a pipe has actually split; it needs a proper repair and, often, an assessment of what else nearby might be at risk.
How Alpha Plumbing helps
We're available 24/7 for emergency calls, which matters most exactly when pipes freeze — the middle of the night during a cold snap. We handle the repair itself, but we'll also walk you through where your home is vulnerable so it doesn't happen again: adding insulation, addressing drafts, or discussing frost-proof exterior fixtures where it makes sense.
If you're not sure whether your home is prepared for winter, that's a conversation worth having before the first hard freeze, not during it.
Handle it before November
Every year the same pattern plays out: the first real cold snap catches homes that meant to insulate exposed pipes over the summer and didn't get to it. It's a short list of tasks and none of them are expensive compared to repairing a burst pipe and the water damage that comes with it. Get it done before the temperature drops, not after.
Quick answers
Frozen-pipe questions
How cold does it need to get for pipes to freeze?
Exposed, uninsulated pipes can start freezing well before outdoor temperatures hit single digits, especially with sustained cold and wind. Pipes in unheated spaces are at risk anytime there's an extended hard freeze.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
If it's accessible and you can apply gentle, controlled heat, sometimes yes. If you can't locate the frozen section, or the pipe has already split, it's time to call a plumber rather than risk making it worse.
Do you offer emergency service for burst pipes at night or on weekends?
Yes, we're available 24/7 for emergencies. Shut off your main water supply first, then call.