Waking up on a chilly Sydney morning, you head to the kitchen to start the coffee machine and turn on the tap to fill the kettle. But instead of the familiar gush of water, you get… nothing. Maybe a sad little trickle, or just an eerie silence. Your first thought might be a water main issue, but on a particularly frosty day, there’s another culprit to consider: frozen pipes.
Here at GPS Gas and Plumbing Services, with over 15 years of experience servicing homes and businesses across Sydney, we’ve seen firsthand the chaos a frozen pipe can cause. While Sydney’s winters aren’t as severe as those in other parts of the world, areas in Western Sydney, the Hills District, and especially the Blue Mountains can certainly dip below freezing. This is all it takes to turn the water inside your pipes into a solid, expanding block of ice.
Many people think a frozen pipe is just an inconvenience. No water for a few hours, right? Unfortunately, the real danger isn’t the blockage itself—it’s what happens next. A frozen pipe is a burst pipe waiting to happen, and that can lead to catastrophic water damage, costly repairs, and a massive headache.
This guide will walk you through how to tell if your pipes are frozen, what to do about it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from ever happening in the first place.
The Science of the Freeze: Why It’s More Than Just an Inconvenience
Before we get into diagnosis, it’s crucial to understand why frozen pipes are so dangerous.
When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. Think about an ice cube tray: you fill it with water, and the resulting cubes are slightly raised. Now, imagine that expansion happening inside a rigid copper or plastic pipe. The pipe is not a flexible balloon; it has very little give.
The blockage begins, and as more water freezes behind it, immense pressure builds up between the closed tap and the ice plug. It’s this incredible pressure—sometimes exceeding 2,000 PSI—that causes the pipe to split open. Ironically, the burst often doesn’t happen where the ice is, but in a section of pipe where water pressure is trapped. You might not even know it has burst until the ice plug thaws and water begins pouring through the rupture.
The Telltale Signs: How to Diagnose a Frozen Pipe
If you suspect a freeze, look for these key indicators. You may experience one or several of them.
1. No Water or a Mere Trickle from Faucets
This is the most common and obvious sign. If you turn on a tap and nothing comes out, or you only get a weak dribble of water when you’d normally have full pressure, a frozen blockage is a likely cause. Pay attention to which taps are affected. If it’s just one tap (e.g., the kitchen sink on an external wall), the freeze is likely isolated to that specific supply line. If it’s an entire section of your house (like the whole upstairs bathroom), the blockage is further down the line.
2. Strange Sounds Coming from Your Plumbing
When you turn on a faucet connected to a partially frozen pipe, you might hear unusual gurgling, banging, or clanking sounds. This is the sound of water struggling to move past the ice obstruction. These noises are a clear signal that something is wrong within your plumbing system.
3. Visible Frost or Condensation on Pipes
If you can safely access the pipes in question—such as those under a sink, in a garage, laundry, or a sub-floor space—take a look. A pipe that is frozen solid will often have a layer of frost or condensation on its exterior. It might feel significantly colder to the touch than other pipes. This is a dead giveaway.
4. A Bulging or Deformed Pipe
This is the most critical and urgent sign. If you inspect a pipe and see a section that is bulging, warped, or looks like it has a slight bubble in it, the pipe is under extreme pressure and is on the verge of bursting. The metal or plastic has already been stretched to its breaking point. If you see this, do not attempt to thaw it yourself. Immediately turn off your home’s main water supply and call a professional plumber.
5. Unpleasant Smells from Drains or Faucets
This is a less common but still significant sign. Water isn’t the only thing that can freeze in your pipes. Waste lines can also freeze, creating a blockage that prevents odours from escaping through the vents as they should. This can cause sewer gas to back up into your home through your drains, resulting in a foul smell.
Okay, I Think My Pipe is Frozen. What Now? A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’ve identified a frozen pipe, acting quickly but safely is key.
Step 1: Shut Off the Main Water Supply!
Before you do anything else, locate and turn off your main water shut-off valve. This is your most important safety measure. If the pipe has already developed a crack or bursts during the thawing process, this will prevent a major flood. Your main shut-off is usually located near the water meter at the front of your property, or sometimes in the garage or laundry.
Step 2: Open the Affected Faucet
Go to the faucet that the frozen pipe supplies and turn it on (both hot and cold taps). This may seem counterintuitive, but it serves two purposes. First, it relieves any remaining pressure in the line. Second, as the ice begins to melt, it gives the water a clear path to escape, which helps the thawing process along.
Step 3: Begin Gentle, Safe Thawing
The key word here is gentle. Rapid temperature changes can cause the pipe to crack (a phenomenon known as thermal shock). Apply gentle, even heat to the frozen section of the pipe.
SAFE Thawing Methods:
- A Hairdryer: On a low or medium setting, wave a hairdryer back and forth along the frozen section of the pipe. Start from the end nearest the faucet and work your way back towards the blockage. This allows melting water to flow out.
- An Electric Heating Pad or Blanket: Wrap an electric heating pad around the pipe. It provides a low, consistent heat that is perfect for the job.
- Hot Towels: Soak towels in hot (not boiling) water, wring them out, and wrap them around the pipe. You will need to replace them frequently as they cool down.
What NOT to Do: The Frozen Pipe Hall of Shame
In our 15 years, we’ve seen some dangerous and damaging DIY attempts. NEVER use the following:
- An Open Flame: This includes a blowtorch, propane heater, charcoal stove, or even a lighter. It is an extreme fire hazard and can boil the water inside the pipe, causing a steam explosion.
- Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water directly onto a frozen pipe can cause it to crack or burst from the sudden temperature change.
Prevention: The Best Defence is a Good Offence
The best way to deal with a frozen pipe is to never have one. For Sydney homeowners, a few simple preventative steps can save you a world of trouble.
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: The most vulnerable pipes are those in unheated areas like garages, roof spaces, and sub-floors, especially on south-facing external walls. You can buy foam pipe lagging or sleeves from any hardware store. It’s an easy and inexpensive DIY job that offers huge protection.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Use caulk or expanding foam to seal any holes or cracks in your walls, foundation, or around windows where cold air can blow directly onto your plumbing.
- Let a Faucet Drip: On nights when the temperature is forecast to drop near or below zero, letting one faucet (the one furthest from your main water supply) drip slowly can be enough to keep water moving and prevent a freeze-up.
- Disconnect and Drain Garden Hoses: A hose left connected to an outdoor tap is a leading cause of frozen pipes. The water trapped inside freezes and expands back into the tap and the pipe inside your wall. Always disconnect your hoses before winter.
- Keep Your Home Warm: If you’re going away during a cold spell, don’t turn your heating off completely. Set it to a low but consistent temperature (e.g., 14-16°C) to keep the ambient temperature in your walls above freezing.
When to Call the Professionals at GPS Plumbing
You can often handle a minor freeze-up yourself, but there are times when you absolutely need an expert. Call a licensed plumber immediately if:
- You can’t locate the frozen pipe.
- The pipe is in an inaccessible area, like behind a wall.
- Your DIY thawing methods aren’t working after an hour.
- You see any bulging or cracking in the pipe.
- The pipe has already burst.
A frozen pipe is a serious plumbing emergency. Don’t take a chance with your property. At GPS Gas and Plumbing Services, we have the tools, technology, and expertise to safely thaw pipes, repair any damage, and help you winter-proof your home for the future.
Stay warm, stay safe, and if you find yourself in a plumbing jam, don’t hesitate to call the experts at GPS Gas and Plumbing Services on 0411 829 187. We’re here to help Sydney residents and businesses, 24/7.
