How do I thaw a frozen pipe safely?

Open the faucet it feeds, then warm the pipe starting at the faucet end with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels. Never use a torch or open flame.

What do I do if a pipe bursts?

Close the main water shutoff first (if it won't close, call the City of Wichita water emergency line at 316-262-6000), turn off the water heater, stay clear of water near electrical outlets, then call a plumber.

Frozen pipes in Wichita? Here's what to do.

A few minutes before a hard freeze saves most pipes. If one has already frozen or burst, the steps are below. If you need help, tell me the job and one local plumber who serves Wichita calls you back. Free for you.

Pipe burst or water pouring in? Close the main shutoff first. No shutoff, or it won't close? Call the City of Wichita water emergency line at 316-262-6000 to shut the water off at the street. Then turn off the water heater (electric: its breaker; gas: set it to pilot). Stay out of standing water near outlets or appliances and shut off power to that area at the breaker if you can reach it safely. Then call a plumber. Take photos for your insurance before you clean up.

Before the freeze: six things to do tonight

Find the main shutoff now: Usually where the water line enters the house: basement wall, crawlspace, utility closet, or near the water heater. Make sure it turns. If a pipe bursts, this is the first thing you'll need.
Outside spigots: Unhook garden hoses. If the spigot has a shutoff valve inside the house, close it and open the outside tap to drain it.
Let faucets drip: On the coldest nights, let a thin drip run from faucets on outside walls, both hot and cold. Moving water is much harder to freeze.
Open the cabinet doors: Under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls, so room heat reaches the pipes. Move cleaners out of reach of kids and pets.
Keep the heat on: Same temperature day and night, and no lower than 55°F if you're away. Leave the garage door shut if water lines run through it.
Crawlspace and attic pipes: Close crawlspace vents for the cold snap and wrap exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation from any hardware store.

Already frozen: thaw it safely

Signs: A faucet gives a trickle or nothing, frost on a pipe you can see, or a toilet that won't refill.
Open the faucet: Open the tap the frozen pipe feeds, so water can run out as the ice melts.
Warm it gently: Start at the faucet end and work back toward the ice. Use a hair dryer, a heating pad, or warm towels. Never a torch, open flame or a propane heater: it can start a fire or burst the pipe.
Can't find it or reach it?: If the frozen spot is inside a wall or you can't thaw it, call a plumber. Keep the faucet open meanwhile.

Need a plumber? Get one callback, not five.

Ask the plumber when they call

Are you licensed and insured?
Is there an emergency or after-hours fee?
Will I get the price before you start?
Can you help me document the damage for my insurance?

General tips, not professional advice. In an emergency call 911. Want to see who AI search names for Wichita plumbing? Here's the list. Other towns: Oklahoma City · Tulsa · Omaha.