Pipe Thawing

Frozen pipes can halt daily life and put your home or business at risk of leaks or burst lines. John Shelton Plumbing provides safe, professional pipe thawing throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley, restoring water service while protecting your plumbing system from damage. Since 1983, our licensed team has helped homeowners, landlords, and small businesses navigate winter freezes quickly and safely—with practical fixes and prevention strategies that hold up to Western PA winters.

Signs Your Pipes May Be Frozen

If you catch a freeze early, you can often avoid major damage. Call our team if you notice:

• No water or a sudden trickle from one or more fixtures
• Only cold water at certain faucets during a cold snap
• Unusual noises from walls, crawlspaces, or basements when taps are opened
• Frost or condensation on exposed sections of pipe

How We Thaw Pipes Safely

DIY heat guns and open flames cause fires and damaged piping. Our technicians use controlled, professional methods matched to your material (copper, PEX, CPVC) and location (basements, crawlspaces, exterior walls). We warm lines gradually, monitor progress, and verify weak points before pressure returns—reducing the risk of a post-thaw rupture and the need for emergency Water Line Repair.

Where Freezes Commonly Occur

• Uninsulated exterior walls: Kitchen or bathroom supply lines routed along outer walls
• Unheated basements/crawlspaces: Long runs and hose bibb branches
• Utility rooms and garages: Poorly insulated door thresholds or slab penetrations
• Seasonal properties: Vacant homes or offices with setback thermostats

What to Do Before We Arrive

• Turn thermostats up a few degrees and open cabinet doors under sinks.
• Close drafty windows/vents near suspected freeze points.
• Open affected faucets slightly—this relieves pressure and shows progress as lines thaw.
• Do not use open flames or unvented space heaters in confined spaces.

After the Thaw: Inspection & Repairs

Once water is flowing, we inspect for splits, weeping joints, and hidden leaks. If damage is found, we’ll complete on-the-spot repairs or schedule targeted Water Line Repair or Water Service Installation if the main is compromised. For severe breaks that require digging, our crew coordinates with our Excavation team to restore service safely and cleanly.

Prevention That Works

• Insulate: Wrap exposed lines in basements, crawlspaces, and exterior walls.
• Eliminate drafts: Seal rim joists and penetrations that let cold air hit pipes.
• Smart setbacks: Keep thermostats above 55°F in cold snaps and during travel.
• Seasonal draining: Add shutoffs and drains for garages, hose bibbs, and outbuildings.

Commercial & Multi-Unit Pipe Thawing

For small businesses and multi-family buildings, we coordinate access, isolate zones, and restore service with minimal downtime. If repeated freezes are impacting operations, we’ll propose durable solutions—such as re-routing exposed runs, insulation upgrades, or upsizing vulnerable sections as part of a broader water line repair or service replacement plan.

Related Cold-Weather Plumbing Services

• Water Line Repair – fix leaks, bursts, and damaged mains
• Water Service Installation – replace aging or undersized services
• Excavation – controlled digging for severe breaks