• Home
  • Blog
  • No Water at Home? How to Diagnose and Fix Loss of Water During Cold Weather

No Water at Home? How to Diagnose and Fix Loss of Water During Cold Weather

Imagine waking up one frigid winter morning, shuffling to the bathroom with eyes half open, and turning on the faucet only to be met by an eerie silence. No rush of water comes out. You jiggle the handle, but still nothing. Now wide awake, you hurry to the kitchen sink and try the faucet there too. Dry as a bone. No cold water anywhere in your home!

It's every homeowner's nightmare scenario when bitter cold descends. Loss of water service means no drinking, cooking, bathing, or using the toilet. Like being transported back to the pioneer days, only without the frontier spirit of adventure. Even worse, you have no idea what caused the disruption or how long it will last. Is it just a localized issue or a major infrastructure failure? Should you be scrambling to stock up on bottled water or patiently waiting for pipes to thaw? Read on and we'll cover all the likely causes, troubleshooting tips, and fixes to restore your water supply, even in the depths of winter.

Signs You Have Frozen Pipes

Let's start by determining if your loss of cold water is limited to a single faucet or impacting the entire house. Try turning on every tap you can find - bath, kitchen, laundry room, outdoor hose bibs. If water flows normally from some but not others, chances are you have frozen pipes rather than a larger issue with your home's main water line.

no water in house suddenly cold weather

With frozen pipes, an ice blockage forms inside, obstructing the flow. Pipes most prone to freezing are those located in uninsulated exterior walls, crawl spaces, attics or basements - any exposed areas subject to cold ambient temperatures. If you live in a region with moderate winters, freezing typically impacts only your most vulnerable pipes. But in an extreme cold snap, any exposed plumbing could potentially ice up.

Symptoms Beyond No Water Flow

How can you confirm it's definitely frozen and not burst pipes? Signs of frozen pipes include:

With burst pipes, you'll notice water pooling around pipes and dripping from multiple locations on the ceiling below or walls behind. Don't delay getting eyes on your pipes to determine which you're dealing with!

Thawing Safely Frozen Pipes

Once you've confirmed it's frozen pipes causing your loss of water, you can start the thawing process to restore normal flow. But proceed with caution, as frozen pipes are fragile and prone to rupture if you apply too much heat too quickly or allow water to flow freely through cracks.

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

This is a crucial first step - locate your home's main water shut off valve and turn it to the off position. If your pipes do start to burst as they thaw, this stops water from gushing out and flooding your home. Knowing where your shutoff is ahead of time and making sure it's functional can save thousands in water damage.

Apply Indirect Heat

Next, apply a heat source like a hairdryer or portable space heater to the frozen sections of pipe. This gently warms the ice inside, causing it to melt and water to flow again. Never try to thaw pipes with an open flame! It could overheat them too quickly.

Keep heating the pipe until full water pressure is restored, checking nearby faucets periodically to gauge progress. Be extremely cautious of any cracks or ruptures as the ice expands - this can quickly lead to leaks.

Open Faucets to Relieve Pressure

As frozen pipes start to thaw, opening taps nearby allows water to flow out and relieve pressure inside the pipes. This reduces the chance they'll burst from the force. Make sure any leaking water is contained and doesn't damage your home.

Once pipes have fully thawed, water service can be turned back on at the main valve. Check for any lingering leaks or cracks in need of repair before returning to normal use.

Preventing Frozen Pipes in Winter

Dealing with frozen pipe headaches is no one's idea of fun. Luckily, you can take proactive measures to reduce the chances your pipes freeze in the future. Consider the following ways to winterize your plumbing:

Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

One of the best defenses is to insulate sections prone to freezing using foam, fiberglass or rubber sleeves. Pipes most in need of insulation are those near outer walls, in crawl spaces, unheated basements or attics. If insulating a pipe yourself sounds daunting, a plumber can help identify priority areas.

Seal Air Leaks Around Pipes

Any cracks or gaps in your home's exterior that allow cold air inside also put pipes at risk. Walk along your walls and use caulk or spray foam to seal areas around pipes where air could penetrate. This creates a protective barrier keeping pipes warmer.

Maintain Adequate Indoor Temperature

When freezing weather hits, it's tempting to dial down the thermostat to save on heating bills. But don't turn it down too far! Indoor air colder than 55degF significantly raises the chance of frozen pipes. Consider keeping the temperature a few degrees higher for added protection.

Also be vigilant about maintaining heat when away from home for multiple days. Either up the temperature or have someone stop by regularly to check it hasn't dipped too low while you're gone.

Consider Heat Tracing/Tape

For problem pipes that have frozen repeatedly, heat tracing or tape can provide a solution. This electrically heated cable wraps around the pipe and maintains just enough warmth to prevent freezing. While more expensive up front, it can save money long-term on repairs.

No Water but Hot Water Works? Water Heater or Main Line Issues

Here's a twist. You turn on your faucet and out comes...nothing. No cold water. But you notice the hot water still works fine. What gives? When cold water flow alone is impacted, the likely culprits point away from your pipes:

Water Heater Problems

Issues with your home's water heater can manifest as loss of cold water only. If the intake valve or supply lines to your water heater freeze up, it blocks cold water from being heated and traveling to faucets. Troubleshooting involves inspecting the water heater and thawing components as needed.

Broken Water Main

For widespread cold water outages affecting your whole area, chances are there is a major water main break. This requires repair by your local utility company and may take hours or days to fix, depending on the scale. Check with neighbors - if they lack water too, a water main issue is likely.

Well Pump or Source Disruption

Homes on private wells depend on pumps to draw water into the home. If your well pump fails or power is lost, no water can enter. The same applies to homes with non-municipal water sources like lakes or streams.

Call your well service company or a plumber promptly if your whole home is without cold water, yet hot water flows freely. They can identify any components in need of repair.

Dealing With Burst Pipes Water Damage

If despite your best efforts, you end up with burst pipes from freezing, you need to act quickly to minimize resulting water damage. Here are steps for responding to this homeowner's emergency:

Shut Off Water at Main Valve

Just like with thawing pipes, immediately shut off the main water supply to stop additional flooding. The sooner it's off, the less harm done.

Assess and Document Damage

Do a thorough walk-through of the home to find all areas impacted by the burst pipes. Take photos/videos of any water leakage and property damage for insurance claims documentation.

Remove Excess Water

Use a wet vac, mops and towels to soak up standing water on floors and furniture. Remove any soaked carpets or padding as well. The goal is to dry out the home before mold sets in.

Make Temporary Repairs

Once pipes are no longer leaking, patch cracks with epoxy putty as a short term solution. Have large bursts professionally soldered until permanent repairs can be made.

Restoring your home after extensive water damage requires specialty companies for drying, mold remediation, repairs and replacing damaged materials. Contact your insurance about coverage.

Dealing with frozen or burst pipes and loss of water service is hugely disruptive and inconvenient. By knowing the warning signs of frozen pipes, thawing them safely, and taking preventative winterization steps, you can hopefully avoid this homeowner headache. But if a pipe does burst, responding appropriately by stopping the water flow, assessing damage, and contacting professionals can help limit the impacts.

With freezing temperatures, keeping a close eye on your plumbing and having an emergency action plan in place gives you the best chance of surviving the winter. Don't take for granted those simple acts of turning on the tap and having water flow out - staying warm and hydrated should never be a concern.