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Why Do Frozen Pipes Always Burst?

Bursting water pipes are a major concern in many homes during the winter. Poorly insulated pipes in unheated spaces of a house are more prone…

May 05, 2026
Why Do Frozen Pipes Always Burst?

Bursting water pipes are a major conce in many homes during the winter. Poorly insulated pipes in unheated spaces of a house are more prone to freezing and bursting. But why do frozen pipes burst?

Do Frozen Pipes Always Burst?

Although it’s common for frozen pipes to burst due to the buildup of pressure inside the pipes, not all frozen pipes burst. However, when pipes freeze, the risk of them bursting increases considerably. The good news is that there are preventive measures you can take to prevent frozen pipes.

Our Customers Reviews

Larry R.

Howell Township, NJ

It was a late Saturday night. We had a super stubborn clog in some old galvanized pipes. Mr. Rooter send out Phil. Phil was great! He found the problem pretty quick. With determination and professionalism he final got it cleared out. I would recommend Mr. Rooter and Phil to anyone! He even cleaned up. We are so happy we choose Mr. Rooter!

Rose Bernard

Red Bank, NJ

We had a plumbing emergency and found Mr. Rooter while frantically searching for a 24-hour plumber. We feel like we hit a gold mine. Not only did we get a timely response. Everyone at Mr. Rooter was friendly, professional, competent and went above and beyond. Our plumber, Phil, was extremely helpful and gave us tips we could use moving firwars. Not to mention, the cost was extremely reasonable.

Joseph Chis

Hillsborough, NJ

Had sewer water backup in toilet and tub. Received callback as promised and arrived early. The tech determined we needed the main line to be cleared. He quickly located the opening and had us cleared in minutes. Very happy with the service. I was not prepared for the fee but it was an emergency.

Christopher Cox

Little Silver Township

Plumber, Phil, came out on short notice on a Saturday night and fixed our issue quickly, professionally and courteously. I contacted a different, well known plumbing company right before Mr. Rooter. The receptionist was rude and they didn’t call me back to say they couldn’t make it until after Phil left! The Mr. Rooter receptionist was very nice and they called me back quickly. I’m glad they did.

Debbie Dimitrion

Colts Neck, NJ

I just wanted to say James did a great job at my house. Excellent service, professional and very nice. Thank you so much for helping me with my plumbing problem. Did wonderful job.

Rachel Turunen

Jackson Township

I was very happy that I went with Mr. Rooter’s. The service was very quick and up front. Jessie James was very helpful answering my questions and replacing my hot water heater. He was pleasurable to do business with. If another problem arises in my home, I will be using this company again.

William Holden

Brick Township, NJ

A thorough, professional, pleasant experience. I had a back-up in the 50 year-old pipes of my new home. I called Mr. Rooter to have them locate the blockage, snake the line, and then use their video snake to get a visual of the integrity of the pipes. I’m glad that I called and will use them again for future needs.

LarJ MarJ

Oakhurst, NJ

You get what you pay for. Edwin Robles of Central NJ educated me as a 1st time homebuyer on why and what he was repairing, prevention, PROMPT,(on a sunday at that!) clean, knowledgeable, super professional but DOWN TO EARTH and at a REASONABLE PRICE! Sewer pipes unclogged and main water line fixed. I was no longer crying once job was thoroughly executed. After all $#@* $tinks but somebody has to do it and I HIGHLY recommend him and this company for a job well done. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Margie Rafferty-Criscione

Ocean Township

Absolutely lovely office staff! I always knew when the repair person was coming. Lorenzo our repair guy was awesome, I really don't think there is anything he can't do. He looks young, but don't let that fool you! So happy all the repairs are behind us. We really just did a one-stop shopping and decided to have everything we've put off fixed because it was such a tremendous experience!

Why Do Frozen Pipes Always Burst?

As temperatures drop, the water inside the pipes begins to freeze. When water freezes, it expands, which causes an increase in pressure inside the pipe. The water can increase in volume by about 9% or more, thereby causing the water pipe to break. Thawing the ice raises the pressure even further, which is why you should seek the help of an experienced plumber.

You should take quick action and call a nearby plumber when your pipes freeze, otherwise, you’ll deal with expensive water damage when the pipes burst. Even though frozen pipes thaw on their own as outside temperatures begin to rise, you should not wait until this happens. Instead, tu off the water supply and locate the frozen pipe. Next, open the faucets connected to the frozen pipes and raise the temperature of the pipes using a space heater, electric heating pad, heating cable, or hairdryer.

Caution: Do not attempt to warm frozen pipes with flame devices such as a propane heater, blowtorch, charcoal stove, or kerosene heater.

How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

  • Insulate pipes in unheated interior spaces, such as the basement, garage, attic, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. This is an inexpensive and energy-efficient way to protect your pipes.
  • Set the thermostat in your house above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep your pipes warmer, making them less likely to freeze.
  • Keep the garage door closed to prevent freezing air from getting into your garage. Leaving your garage door closed leaves any plumbing pipes running through your garage vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
  • Spend some time checking around door frames and windows and seal any cracks and openings that can let cold air through.
  • If there are water supply pipes running through bathroom and kitchen cabinets, ensure you keep them open to keep heated air circulating beneath the cabinets and warm up your pipes.
  • Leave the faucets served by exposed pipes dripping for a while. The constant flow of water prevents the pipes from freezing.

Need Help With Thawing Frozen Pipes Or Pipe Replacement? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Even if you take all the necessary precautions, extremely low temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze and burst. Older and deteriorating pipes are more likely to freeze and burst. If your pipes are frozen and you need help with thawing them or they’ve burst, call professional plumbers to help you out. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we can help you with thawing frozen pipes, pipe repair, and pipe replacement. We have served residential and commercial customers for more than 50 years, and we’ve become one of the most trusted plumbing companies.

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