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What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze in Alabama
When temperatures drop below freezing in the Tennessee Valley, even for a night, it can take a toll on your plumbing. Pipes that aren’t insulated well can freeze solid, cutting off your water and sometimes bursting when they thaw. It happens fast, especially in homes not built for long cold spells.
At Blake Brothers Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing, we’ve seen this plenty of times. We’ve been helping Huntsville and North Alabama homeowners since 1884. After more than 140 years in business, we know how to spot frozen pipes early and fix them before they cause serious damage.
Why Do Pipes Freeze in Alabama?
It doesn’t take a long winter for pipes to freeze here. All it takes is one cold front with temperatures below 32 degrees. Since Alabama homes don’t always have insulated crawl spaces or basements, plumbing is often exposed to the cold.
Here’s what usually causes frozen pipes around Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley:
- Quick overnight temperature drops during cold snaps
- Uninsulated plumbing in crawl spaces, garages, or attics
- Outdoor faucets or hose connections left open
- Cracks or openings where cold air blows across pipes
- Older homes with thinner walls and less insulation
When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands. That pressure can split the pipe and lead to leaks once it warms up again.
Signs Your Pipes May Be Frozen
You can usually catch a frozen pipe before it bursts. Look for these signs:
- No water or very low pressure from a faucet
- Frost on pipes in unheated areas
- Strange smells coming from drains
- Banging or clanging sounds when you turn on the water
- Damp drywall or wet flooring
If you notice one or more of these, you may have a frozen section somewhere in your plumbing.
What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze
- If you think your pipes are frozen, don’t wait. Here’s what you should do right away:
- Turn off the main water supply. This stops more water from building pressure behind the frozen section.
- Open nearby faucets. Letting water flow relieves pressure and gives ice a place to melt.
- Apply gentle heat. Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels. Don’t use a torch or any open flame.
- Start at the faucet. Work from the open tap toward the frozen spot.
- Check for leaks. Once water starts moving, look around for drips or soft spots on drywall or flooring.
If you can’t find the frozen pipe or it’s located inside a wall, call Blake Brothers Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing. We handle emergency plumbing services across Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, and Athens.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Sometimes it’s better to bring in a professional right away. Call a plumber if:
- You can’t reach the frozen area
- You hear running water inside a wall
- A pipe has already burst
- Water still won’t flow after thawing
- You find signs of hidden leaks
Our plumbers have the tools to locate frozen lines and repair them safely. We can also check for other pipes that might be close to freezing. If the repair is bigger than you expected, we offer financing options to make it easier to handle.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Future
A few small steps before cold weather hits can make a big difference. You can help prevent pipes from freezing by doing the following:
- Insulate exposed lines in crawl spaces, basements, and garages.
- Cover outdoor faucets and disconnect hoses before the first freeze.
- Seal cracks and gaps around exterior walls and pipe openings.
- Let faucets drip slightly on very cold nights.
- Keep cabinet doors open under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes.
- Schedule yearly plumbing checks through the Blake Brothers Priority Advantage Plan to stay ahead of seasonal problems.
Most of these steps take just a few minutes but can save you thousands in repairs later.
Call Blake Brothers Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing
If your pipes freeze this winter, don’t wait for them to burst. Blake Brothers Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing has been serving Huntsville and surrounding cities like Decatur, Madison, and Athens for generations. We handle everything from thawing frozen pipes to burst pipe repair and insulation upgrades.
We’re local, licensed, and available 24 hours a day when you need emergency plumbing help. Call Blake Brothers today to schedule service or ask about our Priority Advantage Plan for year-round protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold snaps and exposed plumbing. When temperatures drop below freezing, uninsulated pipes in crawl spaces or exterior walls freeze first.
Use gentle heat, like a hair dryer or warm towels, and start near the faucet. Never use an open flame.
Not always, but the longer they stay frozen, the more likely they are to crack. Shut off your water and thaw them as soon as possible.
Yes. We provide frozen pipe repair and burst pipe repair throughout Huntsville and North Alabama.
Insulate exposed pipes, cover outdoor faucets, and schedule regular inspections with Blake Brothers before cold weather hits.
