Spot a frozen pipe early
The most common sign is a faucet that runs a trickle or nothing at all when the weather is cold. Frost on an exposed pipe, a bulge or a pipe that is cold to the touch are other clues. Check the pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and unheated rooms first.
If only the hot or the cold is affected, the freeze is on that line. If nothing runs anywhere, the frozen point may be at the meter or the service line. That is a different problem and needs different help.
How to thaw a frozen pipe
Thawing is slow. Do not rush it with a torch or a high-heat tool.
Open the faucet
Leave the tap open so melting ice and pressure have a way out.
Find the frozen section
Feel along the pipe for the coldest spot or check for frost.
Apply gentle heat
Use a hair dryer, a heating pad or warm towels. Start near the faucet and work toward the frozen part.
Never use open flame
Torches, heaters with exposed elements and fuel-burning devices start fires and can damage pipes.
Check for leaks
When water flows, look for drips or wet spots along the pipe. If you see a split, close the main valve.
Keep the tap running
A slow flow keeps water moving and helps prevent re-freezing.
Thaw it yourself or call
Some freezes are simple. Others can hide behind walls or underground.
| Situation | Do it yourself | Call a plumber |
|---|---|---|
| Visible frozen pipe you can reach | Warm it gently with a hair dryer. | If heat does not work in an hour. |
| Frozen pipe inside a wall | No. | Yes. Do not open the wall yourself. |
| No water anywhere | Check the main valve. | Yes, the line or meter may be frozen. |
| Split pipe or water leaking | Close the main valve. | Yes, right away. |
| Repeated freezing | Insulate if possible. | Yes, find the cause. |
Pipe frozen or leaking?
Call the 24/7 line. We will tell you what to close and send a technician.
When the problem is the water system, not your pipes
If you lose water completely and your own pipes are not the cause, the issue may be the water system. The Vernon Hills Water System is run by Lake County Public Works, and its main office lists 847-377-4850, available weekday daytime hours. The county posts water shutoff notices on its alert page.
Water system trouble has happened before. In June 2019 a mechanical failure at a reservoir caused a loss of pressure and a boil order for more than 1,300 homes and businesses in Vernon Hills and Mettawa, as reported by the Daily Herald. That is a reminder to know who to call when your water stops.
Source type: Lake County Public Works alert center and Daily Herald news reportPrevention that works
Insulate pipes in unheated spaces and seal drafts near them with caulk or foam. Keep garage doors closed in cold weather. Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor spigots from inside the house if they have a shutoff.
On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes, and let a faucet drip. Moving water is harder to freeze. If you leave town, keep the heat on at a safe level and consider shutting the water off and draining the lines.
After the thaw: check for hidden damage
Once water flows, check every joint and the pipe itself for weeping. A pipe that froze can have a hairline split that opens only when pressure returns. Watch the meter after all taps are closed. If it moves, water is leaking somewhere.
Look at ceilings and walls below the frozen area for stains. If you find moisture, call before it spreads. Our leak detection page explains how we find hidden leaks without opening walls at random.
If a pipe bursts
Close the main valve, turn off power to wet areas and call. Our burst pipe repair page explains what we do. After the repair, dry the area fast to prevent mold.
If a pipe has frozen once, it may freeze again. A plumber can reroute or insulate the vulnerable section. If the pipes are old and failing, repiping may be worth considering. Homes in Mundelein and nearby towns face the same winters, so the same steps apply.
Rules and guidance note
According to general winter safety guidelines, never use an open flame on a frozen pipe. Use gentle heat and keep a faucet open so melting water can flow.
If a pipe splits, the repair is plumbing work under the Illinois State Plumbing Code. Illinois plumbers are licensed through IDPH, which offers a license lookup, so you can check anyone you hire.
Frozen pipe questions
Yes. Keep the faucet open and start near the faucet. Never use open flame.
No, but ice can split a pipe, and the leak shows up when it thaws. Watch for water as it melts.
On the coldest nights, a small drip helps keep water moving.
The Vernon Hills Water System office, run by Lake County Public Works, lists 847-377-4850 for weekday daytime hours.
Often it covers sudden damage from a burst. Read your policy and document everything.