Michigan City, IN Pipe Repair: Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely

Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes

Worried about a frozen line right now? This guide shows you how to fix frozen pipes using a hair dryer or space heater safely and quickly. You will learn what to shut off, what to open, and where to apply gentle heat to restore flow without damaging your plumbing. If you hit a wall or see a leak, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling is on call 24/7 for La Porte and nearby towns.

First, Know the Risks and Signs

Frozen pipes are urgent, but you can solve many safely if you act fast. Water expands about 9 percent when it freezes, which is why rigid copper lines crack. PEX tolerates freezing better, but fittings can still fail. Watch for these signs:

• One faucet stops working while others flow.
• Toilet tanks do not refill or fill very slowly.
• Frost or condensation on exposed pipe in crawlspaces, garages, or along exterior walls.
• A pipe that feels bulged or oddly flat.

Important safety rule: never use an open flame, torch, or fuel heater on plumbing. Open flames ignite framing and insulation quickly and can overheat soldered joints. Gentle, controlled heat is the goal.

Immediate Actions Before You Thaw

Quick decisions reduce both water damage and repair costs.

1. Open the affected faucet. Crack hot and cold handles if it is a mixer. This relieves pressure and gives thawed water a place to go.
2. Turn up your home’s heat to 68–72°F and open cabinet doors to warm interior lines.
3. If you suspect a split pipe or hear hissing behind a wall, shut the home’s main water valve immediately and call a pro.
4. Move pets and children away from the work area. Keep electrical cords and heaters away from standing water.

Local tip for La Porte winters: cold north winds and lake-effect snaps often freeze pipes in uninsulated rim joists and garage runs. Check these spots first.

How To Fix a Frozen Pipe With a Hair Dryer

A common hair dryer is one of the safest thawing tools because it delivers gentle, directed heat.

1. Identify the frozen section. Start where the pipe is most exposed or where it passes through an exterior wall, crawlspace, or sill plate.
2. Prepare the area. Lay a towel under the pipe to catch drips. Ensure the faucet is open.
3. Warm the pipe from the faucet end back toward the freeze. This helps steam and meltwater exit rather than push deeper into the ice.
4. Keep the dryer 6–8 inches from the pipe. Move slowly in a sweeping motion. Do not hold heat in one spot.
5. Thaw fittings and elbows thoroughly. Ice loves to hide at transitions.
6. Continue until water runs at a steady stream. Let it run a minute to purge slush.

Pro tip: switch to low or medium heat as water begins to flow to avoid thermal shock on older copper.

How To Fix a Frozen Pipe With a Space Heater

A portable electric space heater can warm a larger segment, especially in a small bathroom or under-sink cabinet.

1. Choose electric only. Avoid fuel heaters. Verify the unit has tip-over protection.
2. Clear flammables within 3 feet of the heater. Paper goods and curtains ignite easily.
3. Place the heater to warm the pipe’s surrounding air, not blow directly at wiring or P-traps.
4. Close the door to concentrate heat if you are warming a small room or cabinet. Keep the faucet open.
5. Check progress every 5 minutes. When water flows, reduce heat and continue for 10–15 minutes to prevent refreezing.

Space heaters work best when the frozen section is short and accessible. For concealed lines in walls or long garage runs, combine space heat with targeted tools like a hair dryer at known cold spots.

Where Freezes Happen and How To Reach Them

Not all frozen pipes are equal. Adapt your method to the location.

• Under-sink supply lines: Remove stored items. Use a hair dryer and a small heater aimed at the back wall. Wiggle flexible lines gently to feel for stiffness.
• Basement rim joists: These sit above the foundation and get very cold. Trace the pipe along the sill, then warm from the fixture side backward.
• Crawlspaces: Use board walkways for safety. A hair dryer is safer than a heater on uneven ground. Never run a heater unattended under a home.
• Garage or utility runs: These long, exposed pipes benefit from insulation after thawing. Consider heat tape in problem spots.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling often finds a second freeze a few feet away from the first. If you free one section and pressure stalls, keep moving along the pipe until the flow is steady.

What To Do If You Find a Leak

Sometimes a line split while frozen and will not reveal itself until thawing.

• Listen for water spraying behind walls or in ceilings. Look for fresh staining or bulging drywall.
• If a leak is present, shut the main water valve and open all faucets to drain pressure.
• Place a bucket under drips. Flip breakers for affected rooms if water is near outlets or fixtures.
• Call for emergency service. In La Porte we dispatch 24/7 and prioritize burst or active leak calls.

Our burst pipe repair protocol is simple and proven: shut off, advanced leak detection with video and infrared scanning, replace or reline damaged sections, system test, and moisture-prevention guidance.

Gentle Heat Tools You Can Use Safely

Use any of the following with care and patience:

• Hair dryer: Direct, controlled, inexpensive.
• Electric space heater: Good for small rooms and cabinets.
• Warm towels: Dip in hot water, wring out, and wrap around the pipe. Rotate every few minutes.
• Heat cable or tape: Follow manufacturer instructions. Good for chronic problem areas.

Avoid these:

• Propane or MAP torches.
• Kerosene heaters.
• Gas ovens or stoves used to warm rooms.

Most utility safety guidelines advise never using an open flame on pipes due to fire and fume risks. Controlled electric heat is the safe standard.

Preventing the Next Freeze

Once water is flowing, prevent repeat issues. Prevention is usually cheaper than repairs, especially when parts of the home sit over unheated spaces.

1. Insulate exposed supply lines with foam sleeves. Seal gaps where pipes penetrate exterior walls and sill plates.
2. Add heat tape in garages, crawlspaces, and cold walls. Use a thermostat-controlled product.
3. On nights below 10°F, let a slow cold-water drip run from the highest-risk faucet. Moving water resists freezing.
4. Open vanities on exterior walls to allow home heat to reach pipes. Remove stored chemicals from the area.
5. Maintain a steady indoor temperature. Vacation setting should not drop below 55°F.
6. Schedule a plumbing inspection. We use video cameras, pressure testing, and infrared to find weak joints and hidden moisture before failures.

Local insight: La Porte’s freeze-thaw cycles and tree root pressure on older lines amplify stress on joints. Combining insulation with a quick inspection catches corrosion and weakened fittings early.

When DIY Is Enough vs When To Call

DIY thawing is reasonable if:

• The freeze is in an accessible, short run near a sink or toilet.
• You do not see bulging, cracks, or water stains.
• The pipe starts to respond within 20–30 minutes of gentle heat.

Call Summers if:

• You hear water behind walls or see new ceiling stains.
• The frozen section is in a crawlspace or wall you cannot safely access.
• You have older copper with prior leak history. Freeze damage often reveals hidden corrosion.
• You need rapid restoration and cleanup after a burst.

Because we carry multiple solutions, we often preserve existing lines with spot repairs or relining instead of full replacement. When replacement is necessary, we install code-compliant materials and back the work with strong warranties.

What Professional Service Looks Like After a Freeze

Here is how a typical service call progresses with our team:

1. Stabilize: Shut off the main and protect belongings. We lay down floor protection and isolate the affected zone.
2. Diagnose: Video pipe inspection to see inside lines, pressure testing for micro-leaks, and infrared scanning to locate hidden moisture without demolition.
3. Decide: We present options. Spot repair, pipe relining to avoid digging, or full section replacement if severely corroded or broken.
4. Restore: We repair and then hydrojet or clean lines when buildup contributed to the freeze. We test the system and document findings.
5. Prevent: We insulate exposed runs, recommend heat tape where needed, and set a maintenance plan so you avoid repeat emergencies.

Two helpful facts to keep in mind:

• Water’s 9 percent expansion on freezing is what bursts rigid pipes. Pressure can exceed thousands of PSI in closed sections.
• PEX tends to withstand freezing better than copper due to flexibility, but fittings and valves can still fail, so inspection matters.

Maintenance Plans That Protect Your Home

Our affordable maintenance plans include scheduled inspections that catch early warning signs such as corrosion, weakened joints, and hidden moisture. Members get priority dispatch during cold snaps, which is when everyone calls at once. Plans often pay for themselves by preventing even a single burst or emergency visit.

Tools and Supplies Checklist for DIY Thawing

Keep a small kit ready for winter so you can act fast.

1. Hair dryer with a grounded plug.
2. Small electric space heater with tip-over protection.
3. Extension cord rated for 15 amps, indoor use only.
4. Towels, bucket, and a flashlight or work light.
5. Foam pipe insulation and foil tape for quick wraps after thawing.
6. Infrared thermometer to confirm pipe temperature if you have one.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

If the pipe is still frozen after 30 minutes of careful heating:

• Verify the correct pipe by tracing from the non-working faucet backward.
• Move your heat source closer to exterior wall penetrations and elbows.
• Warm the room air, not just the pipe. Close doors and seal drafts.
• If no progress or you discover damp drywall, stop and call for help to avoid hidden damage.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers 24/7 emergency response for La Porte, Michigan City, Westville, Kingsford Heights, Wanatah, and surrounding areas. We arrive with inspection cameras, leak detection tools, and materials to complete most repairs on the first visit.

What Homeowners Are Saying

"He determined the exact location of the problem with a minimum amount of impact to surrounding area and will soon be completing the repairs. Our thanks to Nathan!"
–Andrew K., Pipe Repair

"Highly satisfied with repair to our clogged plumbing stack/ vent pipe. Very professional and excellent price for the repair. Thank you!"
–Jl R., Pipe Repair

"We had a blockage in our main sewer pipe... Jeff came out and diagnosed the culprit, fixed it, and we were fixed in about an hour. Excellent service and communication, highly recommended!"
–Todd R., Sewer Line Repair

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I thaw frozen pipes if I have PEX instead of copper?

Yes. PEX tolerates freezing better, but fittings can still crack. Use gentle electric heat and open the faucet. Inspect every joint once water flows.

Should I keep the faucet open while thawing?

Yes. Opening hot and cold gives melting ice a place to go and reduces pressure that can split the pipe.

Is a heat gun safe for thawing pipes?

Use low settings only and keep it moving. A hair dryer is safer. Never use an open flame or fuel heater on plumbing.

How long should thawing take?

Simple freezes may thaw in 20–30 minutes with steady, gentle heat. If there is no progress or you see leaks, stop and call a professional.

What temperature should I keep my home at during a cold snap?

Maintain at least 68°F in living areas and open cabinets on exterior walls. Do not set the thermostat below 55°F when traveling.

Conclusion

Thawing safely is about patience and controlled heat. You can fix frozen pipes using a hair dryer or space heater when the freeze is accessible and you keep the faucet open. For hidden lines, leaks, or burst pipes in the La Porte area, call the local team that responds 24/7 with advanced diagnostics and strong warranties.

Call or Schedule Now

Need help now or want a preventive inspection before the next cold snap? Call Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling at (219) 349-0509 or schedule at https://www.summersphc.com/la-porte/. We are ready day or night to protect your home and restore your water fast.

Call now for 24/7 frozen or burst pipe help: (219) 349-0509. Book online anytime at https://www.summersphc.com/la-porte/. Prevent repeat freezes with an inspection today.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling: We are La Porte’s trusted, 24/7 plumbing team. Every technician is licensed, trained, drug tested, and background checked. We use video inspections, pressure testing, and infrared leak detection to find issues fast with minimal mess. You get up-front pricing, strong warranties, and we match or beat competitors’ prices. From frozen or burst pipes to relining and full replacements, we deliver long‑lasting repairs and honest service backed by thousands of five-star reviews.