Frozen Pipe Thawing and Repair in Lilburn, GA

Open the affected faucet so melting water can escape and relieve pressure, then warm the frozen section gently - a hair dryer, a space heater kept clear of anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water, working from the faucet end back toward the block. Never use a torch or open flame; it can damage the pipe and start a fire. If you can't reach the frozen run or you see any bulging, shut off the main and call us.

Freezing is what causes bursts - ice expands until the pipe wall cracks, and the leak often doesn't show until the pipe thaws and water flows again. Watch the pipe as it thaws and turn the water back on slowly; if you see spraying, dripping, or a pressure drop, it split. That's why we thaw carefully and check for cracks before restoring full pressure.

Shut the water off at the main immediately to stop the flood, then cut power to any area where water is near outlets or appliances. Open a faucet to drain the line, move what you can out of the water, and call 770-398-STAR. A freeze-split pipe is an emergency - the faster the water's off and the break is repaired, the less damage you're left with.

Exposed, uninsulated pipes are at real risk once temperatures drop into the low 20s °F, and the danger climbs fast in the teens and single digits during an Arctic front. Metro Atlanta winters are mild enough that most homes go unprotected, so it's usually a brief hard freeze after mild days - not a long cold spell - that catches people out.

The exposed ones: water lines in vented crawlspaces and attics, pipes in exterior walls (especially on the north side behind kitchen and bath cabinets), lines in unheated garages and utility rooms, and outdoor hose bibs. Those are the runs we target first when thawing, and the ones worth insulating or fitting with frost-free spigots so they stop freezing.

During a hard freeze, let a faucet drip so water keeps moving, and open cabinet doors on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes. Longer term, insulate exposed runs in crawlspaces, attics, and garages, add heat tape to the most vulnerable lines, install frost-free hose bibs, and seal cold-air gaps. We can set all of this up so the next freeze isn't an emergency.

PEX handles freezing better than copper because it can flex and expand somewhat with the ice, so it's less likely to split - but it is not freeze-proof. The water inside still freezes and blocks flow, and the fittings, valves, and any transitions to metal can still fail. An unprotected PEX line in an attic or crawlspace can still leak, so it still needs insulation.

Yes. Freezes are exactly when the calls spike, and we prioritize no-water and freeze-split emergencies across Gwinnett County. Timing depends on volume during a cold snap, but we'll give you an honest window when you call - and talk you through thawing safely or shutting off the water in the meantime.