Frozen pipe repair in Greenville and the Upstate
Frozen pipe repair for cold mornings when a faucet gives no water. Thaw it safely, watch for leaks, and call us if it has split.
A licensed Master Plumber on every job
4.8from 593 Google reviews
What should I do if my pipes are frozen?
Open the faucet the pipe feeds, then warm the frozen section gently with a hair dryer, space heater or warm towels. Never use an open flame. Find the main shutoff in case the pipe has split, and watch for leaks as it thaws. If you cannot reach it or see water, call Ethical Plumbing at 864-438-0525.
- Safe thawing
- Split pipe repair
- Insulation and prevention
- Exposed pipe rerouting
Thaw slowly, and be ready for a leak
Water expands as it freezes, and the pressure can split a pipe even if you see no damage while it is frozen. The leak usually appears when the ice melts, so have the main shutoff located before you start thawing.
Open the faucet so melting water can escape and relieve pressure. Warm the pipe starting closest to the faucet and work back toward the frozen section. Use a hair dryer, a space heater kept a safe distance away, or warm towels. Never use a torch or open flame. If the frozen section is in a wall or crawl space you cannot reach, call us.
Pipes most likely to freeze
In Upstate homes, watch:
- Crawl space supply lines near vents
- Pipes in exterior walls
- Lines in unheated garages and attics
- Outdoor hose bibs
- Kitchen sinks on outside walls
- Irrigation and well lines
How to prevent frozen pipes
Insulate
Foam sleeves on crawl space, garage and attic pipe.
Close it up
Close crawl space vents and garage doors in hard freezes.
Drip and open
Let vulnerable faucets drip and open sink cabinets on outside walls.
Outside
Disconnect hoses and cover or shut off outdoor faucets.
Frozen pipes in the Upstate
Greenville and Spartanburg see only a handful of hard freezes a year, which is exactly why homes are not built for them. Crawl space homes with open vents, older homes with little pipe insulation and houses left empty over the holidays are the most at risk. In the North Carolina mountain counties, freezes come more often and last longer.
If a pipe keeps freezing, the fix is insulation, closing up the crawl space, or rerouting the line away from the cold spot. A sealed crawl space helps too.
What affects the price of frozen pipe repair
You get a written price before work starts. It depends on:
- Thawing only, or repairing a split pipe
- Where the pipe is and how to reach it
- How much pipe was damaged
- Insulating or rerouting to prevent it again
How a visit works
You book a time
Online or by phone. We confirm your arrival window and call when the plumber is on the way, or text or email if we cannot reach you.
We find the cause
A licensed Master Plumber diagnoses the problem and explains it in plain terms.
You choose, in writing
You get your options side by side with written prices. Nothing starts until you approve.
We fix it and walk you through it
Clean work area, tested result, and a walkthrough before we leave.
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for frozen pipe repair
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed Master Plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate for 16+ years, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
They sent someone to evaluate what was needed to ensure safe installation of a generator. The following week, members of their team arrived and ensured regulators were properly installed. I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism and dedication to getting it correct.
Daniel Styles did a great job of explaining the work to be completed with options at different price points!
Mr Styles was outstanding. Very thorough and very professional. I truly appreciated his candor and expertise.
Frozen pipe repair across the Upstate
We thaw, repair and protect pipes in 7 counties across the Upstate and western North Carolina. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
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Pickens County, SC
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Anderson County, SC
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Henderson County, NC
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Frozen pipe repair FAQs
At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Pipes in unheated spaces are at risk when it drops into the low 20s or below, especially with wind or for several hours.
Should I let my faucets drip?
Yes, on very cold nights let faucets on outside walls drip. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
How long does it take a frozen pipe to thaw?
With gentle heat, often 30 minutes to a few hours. If it does not thaw, the frozen section may be somewhere you cannot reach.
Can I use a torch to thaw a pipe?
No. Open flames can start fires and can damage pipe. Use a hair dryer, space heater at a safe distance, or warm towels.
How do I know if a frozen pipe burst?
Look and listen for water as it thaws, and watch the water meter with everything off. A moving meter means a leak.
Do I need to drain my pipes if I leave for the winter?
For vacant homes, shutting off the main and draining the lines is the safest choice. We drain the lines for second homes and homes left empty for the winter; call 864-438-0525 to schedule it before the first hard freeze.
Will insurance cover frozen pipe damage?
Many policies do, if the home was heated and reasonably maintained. Check your policy.
Can you insulate or reroute pipes that keep freezing?
Yes. We insulate, reroute or protect problem pipes so they stop freezing.
Can you install an automatic water shutoff?
Yes. An automatic shutoff valve with leak sensors closes the main if a pipe bursts while no one is home.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- A licensed Master Plumber on every job
- Serving the Upstate for 16+ years
- Written prices, every job