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Frozen & Burst Pipes in Altoona, PA — What to Do Right Now
No water from a faucet on a cold morning? Water spraying after a thaw? Call now. We thaw frozen pipes and repair burst ones across Altoona and Blair County, 24/7 all winter.
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What Should I Do If a Pipe Bursts or Freezes?
If a pipe has burst, shut off your main water valve right away, then call a plumber. If a pipe is frozen but not leaking, open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or space heater. Never use an open flame.
Altoona averages about 138 nights below freezing a year, with January lows around 17°F. Pipes on outside walls, in crawl spaces and in unheated basements of older homes freeze first. Water damage and freezing are among the most common homeowners insurance claims, with an average payout of about $15,400, so acting fast matters.
Burst Pipe? Do This Now
- Shut off the main water valve. It’s usually in the basement or crawl space on the wall facing the street. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Stay away from water near outlets and the electrical panel.
- Open faucets on the lowest floor to drain the pipes.
- Turn off the water heater (breaker or “pilot” setting) if the water will be off for a while.
- Move valuables, take photos for insurance and start drying out. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas within 24–48 hours to prevent mold.
- Call us. We’ll send a plumber to repair the pipe, day or night (24/7 emergency plumber).
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe Safely
- Find the frozen section. Look for frost on the pipe or a bulge, usually on an outside wall, in a crawl space or near a basement window.
- Open the faucet the pipe feeds, so melting water can flow out and pressure doesn’t build.
- Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, a space heater (never left alone) or towels soaked in hot water. Start near the faucet and work back.
- Never use a torch, kerosene heater or any open flame. It can start a fire or make the pipe burst.
- When water flows, check for leaks. A pipe can split while frozen and only leak once it thaws.
- Can’t find it, can’t reach it, or see a crack? Shut off the main valve and call.
Thawing advice follows the Altoona Water Authority’s cold-weather tips: “When thawing things, slower is better.”
Signs Your Pipes Are Frozen or Have Burst
| What you notice | What it likely means | How urgent |
|---|---|---|
| No water, or a trickle, from one faucet on a cold morning | Pipe to that faucet is frozen | Urgent: thaw it before it splits |
| No water anywhere in the house | Frozen service line from the street, or frozen meter | Urgent |
| Frost or a bulge on a pipe | Ice inside the pipe | Urgent |
| Water spraying or pooling as it warms up | Burst pipe | Emergency: shut off the main valve |
| Water stain spreading on a ceiling or wall | Split pipe inside the wall | Emergency |
| Outdoor spigot leaks inside the wall when turned on in spring | Spigot pipe split last winter | Soon |
Frozen Water Line From the Street
If the whole house has no water in a deep freeze, the water line between the street and your house, or the meter, may be frozen. The line on your property is the homeowner’s responsibility, and under Altoona Water Authority rules, the customer pays for meter damage caused by freezing.
- Check with neighbors: if they have no water either, call the Altoona Water Authority at (814) 949-2540.
- If it’s only your house, a plumber can try to thaw the line. Altoona-area customers report thawing a street line costs $200 or more and can take hours, and it doesn’t always work on the first try.
- Keep an outdoor meter pit lid closed, and let snow cover it; snow insulates it.
How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing in Altoona
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before winter (Oct–Nov) | Remove garden hoses; shut off and drain the outdoor spigot (the “spicket”); insulate pipes on outside walls and in crawl spaces; seal drafts near pipes; find and test your main shut-off valve |
| When it’s 28°F or colder for 4+ hours | Let a slow drip run from faucets on outside walls; open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls; keep attached garage doors closed |
| Pipes that froze before | Give them extra protection: insulation or heat tape |
| Heating fails in a cold snap | Call for heating repair right away; an unheated house can freeze pipes within hours |
Based on the Altoona Water Authority’s cold-weather tips.
Leaving Home for the Winter? Checklist
- Keep the thermostat above 55°F. Don’t turn the heat off.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls.
- For longer trips, shut off the water at your main valve and drain the faucets, or leave the heat on low.
- Ask a neighbor to check the house during cold snaps.
- If you rent, ask your landlord where the shut-off valve is. Tenants may be responsible for damage to their own belongings.
Frozen and Burst Pipe Repair Cost in Altoona
Burst pipe repairs typically cost $1,000–$4,000 nationally, not counting water damage clean-up. A simple leak repair is usually $175–$550. Altoona-area customers report around $1,500 for a broken basement pipe and $200 or more to thaw a frozen street line. Nights and weekends add an after-hours fee of about $200 for the visit.
| Job | Altoona-area customers report | Typical U.S. range (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Leaking pipe repair | — | $175–$550 |
| Broken basement pipe | About $1,500 | — |
| Burst pipe repair | — | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Thawing a frozen street line | $200+ (can take hours) | — |
| Night or weekend service call | About $200 | Emergency fees often $300–$400 |
See all plumbing prices in Altoona.
What Happens When You Call
1. You call
Day or night, weekends and holidays.
2. Tell us what’s wrong
Describe the problem in your own words.
3. A local plumber is sent
Someone who works in Altoona and Blair County and handles that kind of job.
4. Price agreed first
You hear the price before any work starts.
Frozen Pipe Questions from Altoona Homeowners
When should I drip my faucets in Altoona?
The Altoona Water Authority recommends extra steps when it’s 28°F or colder for four hours or more: let water drip slowly from faucets on outside walls and open the cabinet doors under those sinks.
How do I thaw a frozen pipe?
Open the faucet, then warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, a space heater you stay with, or hot, wet towels. Never use an open flame. If you can’t find the frozen spot or see a crack, shut off the main valve and call a plumber.
Who pays if my water meter freezes?
The homeowner. Altoona Water Authority rules say the customer pays for meter damage caused by freezing, including labor. Keep meters in basements warm and outdoor meter pit lids closed.
What temperature should I keep my house at when I’m away?
Above 55°F, according to the Altoona Water Authority. For longer trips, you can also shut off the main water valve and drain the faucets.
My spicket froze. Now what?
Shut off the valve that feeds the outdoor spigot (usually inside the basement), open the spigot and let it drain. Check inside the wall for leaks when it thaws. A split spigot pipe is often found in spring, the first time the hose is turned on.
Does homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe, but may not cover damage if the house was left unheated or the problem was neglected. Check your policy and take photos before cleaning up.
Can a frozen pipe burst after it thaws?
Yes. Ice can split a pipe without leaking; the leak starts when the ice melts and pressure returns. Watch thawed pipes closely for the first hour.
Frozen or Burst Pipe? Call Now.
Water spraying or no water at all: we answer 24/7 all winter, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Smell gas? Leave the house first, then call Peoples Natural Gas or 911.
