What should I do after a frozen pipe bursts?
Short answer: Shut off the main water supply and open low faucets to drain the system, then cut power to any wet area with outlets or equipment. Photograph everything, extract water immediately, and get drying equipment running. Because the cause was cold, also protect the remaining plumbing: add heat to the space, keep other lines dripping, and have a plumber check nearby runs before repressurizing.
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Call Now for Emergency Help(720) 319-807324/7 Emergency Call HandlingKey Takeaways
- Freeze bursts release clean Category 1 water, so fast extraction saves most materials.
- One freeze burst often means other lines in the same space are at risk.
- Drain the system after shutting the main, or residual water keeps feeding the break.
- Photograph the split pipe itself. It documents a sudden failure rather than gradual seepage.
- Insurance frequently covers sudden freeze bursts, though unheated-home exclusions exist.
Sequence for the First Hour
- Main water off, then open the lowest faucets to drain pressure.
- Breakers off for circuits in the wet area.
- Photos and video of the pipe, the water, and each affected room.
- Contents and electronics moved out of the water.
- Extraction started, whether by wet/dry vacuum or emergency crew.
- Heat restored to the space where the freeze happened.
Why Freeze Losses Spread Widely
Freeze bursts commonly occur in attics, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls, which means water enters the building envelope and travels through framing before anyone sees it. An attic burst can wet insulation, two ceilings, wall cavities, and flooring on two levels before the homeowner notices a stain. Moisture mapping is essential rather than optional on these losses.
Do Not Repressurize Blindly
After repair, turn the water on slowly and walk the entire house, checking every fixture, the repaired joint, and the ceiling below any line that froze. Multiple splits on the same run are common, and a second leak found while you are standing there is far cheaper than one found next week.
Colorado and Denver Considerations
Denver metro crews see clusters of these calls on the first warm afternoon after a hard freeze. If your home froze and you are away, arrange for someone to be present during the thaw, because unattended thaw bursts in Front Range homes routinely run for hours.
Exceptions and Important Considerations
- If the home was unheated or vacant, coverage may be limited by policy conditions on maintaining heat.
- If water entered an attic, expect insulation removal and ceiling repair in the scope.
- If a fire sprinkler line froze, the discharge volume is large and the system must be shut down by qualified personnel.
Related Questions
Denver metro residential freeze losses commonly land between $3,000 and $20,000 depending on how long water ran and how many levels it reached.
Sudden freeze bursts are commonly covered. Policies may exclude loss when heat was not maintained in an unoccupied home. Your insurer decides.
A simple accessible copper or PEX repair is within reach of an experienced DIYer, but the water damage side still needs professional drying.
Drying usually three to five days, with repairs after that depending on ceilings, insulation, flooring, and paint.
Burst and Frozen Pipe Damage in Denver
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