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us Home & property emergencies pipes starting to freeze • taps slowing or sputtering • faucet sputtering water • no water from faucet • low water pressure sudden • frozen pipe suspected • pipe frozen under sink • pipe frozen in crawlspace • pipe frozen in basement • locate main shutoff valve • shut off main water • thaw frozen pipe safely • cold tap trickle • water only dripping • winter plumbing emergency • prevent burst pipe • pipe about to burst • cabinet doors open for pipes • home freezing temperatures

What to do if…
you suspect your pipes are starting to freeze and the taps are slowing or sputtering

Short answer

Locate your home’s main water shutoff now, leave a faucet slightly open, and thaw the pipe slowly with safe heat (never an open flame); shut off the main if flow drops to a trickle/no flow or you can’t monitor for leaks.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t use a torch, open flame, propane heater, or anything that burns.
  • Don’t apply intense heat to a single spot (fast expansion can crack the pipe).
  • Don’t leave a hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater running unattended.
  • Don’t turn the water back on quickly; restore flow slowly while watching for leaks.
  • Don’t ignore wet drywall, drips, or “new” water sounds as thawing begins (pipes often fail during thaw).

What to do now

  1. Locate the main water shutoff valve (and make sure you can turn it).
    It’s commonly where the water service line enters the home (basement, utility room, garage, crawlspace access area, or an exterior wall). If you’re in an apartment/condo, it may be in a building utility area.
  2. Decide whether to shut off the main before thawing.
    • If you have only a trickle/no flow, suspect a solid freeze, or you can’t stay nearby to monitor, shut off the main before you apply heat.
    • If you can monitor closely and still have some flow, keep the main on for now and focus on pressure relief + gentle warming.
  3. Open the weakest-flow faucet slightly and leave it that way.
    Keeping a faucet open helps relieve pressure and lets water move as ice melts.
  4. Quick leak-risk check.
    Look under sinks, behind toilets, basement/crawlspace areas, garage, and exterior-wall plumbing. If you see active leaking, shut off the main immediately.
  5. Thaw slowly using safe heat.
    • Use warm air from an electric hair dryer, an electric heating pad, or warm towels/rags on the pipe.
    • Start near the faucet end and work along the pipe toward colder areas.
    • Keep the faucet slightly open while thawing.
  6. Warm the space around pipes to prevent refreezing.
    Open cabinet doors under sinks; raise indoor temperature a bit; keep interior doors open so heat circulates.
  7. Restore water cautiously and watch for leaks.
    If you shut off the main, turn it back on slowly once flow returns, and watch exposed pipes/joints for several minutes. Keep towels/paper under joints while you check.
  8. If you can’t find/access the frozen section, thawing doesn’t work, or you suspect a split:
    Call a licensed plumber and say: “suspected frozen line, faucets sputtering/low flow; main water shutoff located (and currently on/off).”
  9. If water is near outlets/appliances/breaker panel:
    Don’t step into standing water. Only shut off power if you can do so from a dry location without approaching water; otherwise leave it and call for help.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide about permanent repairs, insulation upgrades, or pipe replacement right now.
  • You don’t need to open walls/ceilings while things are still unstable.
  • You can handle insurance documentation (photos, notes, calls) after the risk of a burst is controlled and you’ve checked for leaks.

Important reassurance

Catching this at the “sputtering/slow tap” stage is exactly when you can still prevent major damage. You’re aiming for slow thawing, pressure relief, and careful leak checks.

Scope note

These are first steps for stabilising the situation. If the pipe is inaccessible, the home is very cold, or freeze-ups recur, you’ll likely need professional help and follow-up prevention work.

Important note

This is general information, not a substitute for a professional assessment. Plumbing layouts and shutoff locations vary. If you’re unsure about safety (especially around electricity or flooding), prioritise safety and contact a professional or local emergency services.

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