What Really Happens Inside Frozen Pipes After the Freeze Ends
You notice the kitchen faucet is unable to run and trickles water. When you open the cabinets underneath the sink, you discover the back wall soaked with water, and a leak from a cracked pipe. The pipe ran along the exterior wall and had almost no insulation. It turns out that a few days ago, the pipe froze during a winter storm and only now thawed out. This isn’t a fictional scenario created out of thin air. Delayed pipe bursts are a common occurrence in both commercial and residential buildings. It’s important to understand why pipes burst after a thaw and what to do in response to prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.
The Science Behind Why Pipes Burst After Thawing
Pipes burst after the water inside freezes and thaws over a period of time. Water expands about 9% when frozen, increasing pressure inside sealed pipes. Ice forms from the outer walls inward, applying force on the weakest parts.
The pressure has nowhere else to go and the pipe wall fractures internally. This damage is often hidden. However, when the ice eventually melts, the pressure on the pipe drops and water rushes through the damaged sections. Eventually, the pipe bursts after thawing, which can occur hours or days later.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), a leading organization in the cleaning and restoration industries, created three categories for water damage. Pipe bursts with clean water fall into Category 1, which means the leak poses a low health risk to occupants. However, the situation can quickly escalate to Category 2, which means the water contains contaminants and can cause illnesses.
A burst pipe can lead to flooding and entire floors being destroyed in minutes. Professional water extraction and drying services can prevent these leaks from escalating into full-blown catastrophes.
The Water Damage That Isn’t Always Visible
The location of pipes in your home greatly affects the likelihood of a burst. In less insulated areas, these sections of a house are more exposed to freezing temperatures in the winter. Damage in pipes can also stay hidden in many other ways:
Pipes can be located behind exterior walls or in unheated crawl spaces.
Copper and PEX pipes may be in less insulated areas like under sinks or near garage walls.
Vertical pipes in walls or along the exterior often freeze faster due to air exposure.
Small splits may leak behind drywall for days before discovery.
Attic or basement pipes are typically checked on less, causing secondary moisture spread through framing.
According to the EPA’s guidance on indoor moisture control, plumbing systems should be pressure tested during construction to prevent issues and permit easy maintenance. Professionals at ServiceMaster Excellence have extensive experience handling pipes bursting after a thaw, and other forms of water damage. We also use thermal imaging and moisture mapping to locate hidden water intrusions early, resolving water-related issues before they progress.
The Chain Reaction of Freezing Temperatures, Pressure, and Expansion
Pipes don’t always burst where it froze. When water freezes inside a pipe at a certain point, it also stops the flow of water. This creates pressure and causes it to travel down the pipe to the weakest points like joints, seams, or bends. Many plastic components like PVC elbows and fittings on pipes aren’t as structurally strong as metal. However, PEX is a strong plastic that can withstand more expansion than copper or galvanized steel.
Even after pipes freeze and thaw, hidden cracks and weakened spots may develop. These may not cause problems initially, but after water begins to flow again — the vibrations may trigger a sudden failure days or weeks later. These are called delayed pipe bursts. Homeowners may only notice a leak in the pipe when water damage escalates to the point of causing noticeable signs in the house.
Early Warning Signs Your Pipes Were Damaged After a Freeze
It’s important to know how to identify signs of pipes bursting after a thaw early on before the situation worsens. Some warning signs are more obvious than others. However, knowing what to look for will make them all easier to spot. Our experts recommend looking for the following indicators:
An unexplained drop in water pressure or sputtering faucets.
The sounds of running water when all fixtures are off.
A musty odor or damp spots on the drywall.
Condensation forming on cold pipes, making it more difficult to spot a leak.
Water stains near ceiling light fixtures or outlets, indicating hidden plumbing leaks.
If you want confirmation of a leak or potential water problem, restoration experts at ServiceMaster Excellence can perform an inspection to give you a definite answer. Our professionals specialize in identifying water-related issues and mitigating the damage caused by leaks. As IICRC-certified professionals, we follow the IICRC S500 industry standards in all our restoration processes, like structural drying.
How to Prevent Pipes from Bursting During and After Freezes
People are not powerless to stop frozen pipe damage. They can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of pipes bursting and spot water-related issues early. Here are some ways you can protect your pipes.
Keep interior temperatures above 55°F even during travel.
Open cabinet doors to allow warm air around plumbing.
Let faucets drip during severe freezes to relieve pressure.
Add insulation to pipes in attics, garages, and crawl spaces.
Install smart water sensors or automatic shut-off valves.
Pipes can take on hidden damage after freezing, but they don’t always burst right away. In many cases, major failure happens days or hours later. Professionals can conduct a post-freeze inspection to check for microleaks after temperatures rise again. This helps prevent pipes bursting unexpectedly and can save thousands in repair costs.
Why You Need Experts After a Post-Freeze Water Damage
When pipes burst after thawing, there is a severe amount of damage that can happen to the surrounding areas. Water must be removed quickly to avoid health issues and stop structural damage from spreading. With professional restoration, the water damage is quickly identified, contained and remediated. There are five main phases of a professional restoration process: moisture detection, extraction, drying, disinfection, and structural repair.
Moisture detection. Homeowners can cleanup visible and blatant water damage. However, not all water damage is noticeable. Professionals use advanced diagnostic tools, like infrared cameras and hygrometers, to detect hidden moisture in the walls or floors and map out pockets that need to be addressed.
Extraction. The first priority after an extreme water leak is to get rid of the standing water. Professionals have extraction equipment to remove large amounts of water fast, stopping the damage from spreading.
Drying. Standing water getting removed isn’t enough to solve the problem. The moisture in the affected areas also needs to be removed. Technicians refer to the IICRC S500 standards which suggests using LGR dehumidifiers and air movers to pull moisture out of materials and the air.
Disinfection. After the area is dried, professionals will turn their attention to mold growth. They will disinfect and sanitize the saturated area to get rid of mold or mildew that may have developed, and to prevent future growth.
Structural Repair. In some cases, materials or structures are damaged beyond repair. Professionals can strategically remove and replace the affected sections to restore the area to a better state.
Common Misconceptions About Frozen and Thawing Pipes
Just as dangerous as being unaware to the signs of thawing plumbing risks are the misconceptions people can have about them. These misunderstandings can cause improper responses to pipes bursting or even miss signs of water issues entirely. Here are the most common misconceptions about frozen and thawing pipes.
Myth #1: Pipes only burst when experiencing freezing temperatures.
As explained in this article, the damage to the pipe may initially begin after a pipe freezes. However, it’s when the ice melts and water rushes through the pipe where leaks occur.
Myth #2: Warm weather regions aren’t at risk.
The weather is unpredictable, and cold snaps happen even in warm climate areas. These areas are unprepared for the cold and often don’t have the proper insulation for their pipes, putting their facilities or homes at serious risk.
Myth #3: Plastic pipes don’t freeze.
Plastic pipes do freeze, but they also are typically more flexible than metal pipes. They can expand to withstand frozen water to a point. It’s still common to find cracks or splits in the plastic fittings.
Myth #4: A small leak is harmless.
Even a slow, minor drip can saturate the materials around it— like drywall or insulation — and gradually create serious water damage. Moisture will eventually spread to the surrounding areas and can develop mold or mildew.
Myth #5: Insurance always covers burst pipes.
Insurance can catch policyholders off guard when they expect a claim to be covered. The same goes for burst pipes. While many insurance policies offer coverage for the event, many also exclude damage from neglect — classifying a burst pipe under that category.
How ServiceMaster Excellence Restores Peace of Mind After a Pipe Burst
At ServiceMaster Excellence, we offer full-service restoration services for both residential and commercial properties. Our team is available 24/7 to provide emergency response in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Using advanced moisture meters and thermal cameras, we regularly detect hidden pockets of moisture in unseen places.
Our technicians also document our process and the damage discovered, giving you records to share with your insurance. Whether it’s a pipe bursting after a thaw or a simple drip, we’re here to restore your property and protect it from future water-related damage.
If your home or business shows signs of leaks after a cold snap, don’t wait. Contact ServiceMaster Excellence today for expert water extraction, drying, and full restoration. We’ll locate every hidden leak and ensure your property is safe, dry, and ready for whatever Michigan weather brings next.
