Frozen and burst pipe repair

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This page exists because Yakima winters are real. A normal January sits around 24°F at night with nearly a month of below-freezing lows, and cold snaps can run days long. Hose bibs, crawl-space pipes, and lines on outside walls are the first things to let go.

What breaks first?

• Hose bibs left with a hose still attached, or non-frost-free bibs on older homes
• Crawl-space supply lines in pre-war and mid-century houses
• Pipes on garage or outside walls, especially where insulation is thin
• Irrigation and backflow assemblies that weren't blown out before the first hard freeze

What should I do if a pipe bursts?

1. Shut off the main water valve. Know where it is before you need it 2. Kill power to anything the water is touching 3. Get a plumber for the repair; don't leave a burst line frozen and forgotten

A pipe that's only frozen, not burst, is still worth a call. Trying to thaw it yourself with open flame is how houses catch fire.

Can it be prevented?

Yes, and cheaply. Frost-free hose bibs, insulation on exposed runs, heat tape on the worst spots, and shutting off and draining irrigation lines in the fall. A pro can walk the house and flag the vulnerable runs in one visit, which is a lot less than repairing water damage in February.