How much does it cost to fix a frozen pipe in Virginia?

The short answer

There is no official price for a frozen pipe repair in Virginia, so the honest number is a written quote. What you can control is how big the job gets. Loudoun Water puts the stakes plainly: "Freezing pipes are one of the most expensive risks homeowners face."^[2] The bill is mostly set by three things: whether the pipe has split, where it is, and how much water got out before someone closed the valve.

What moves the price

Frozen, or frozen and split. A pipe that is only frozen may cost nothing. If the frozen stretch is exposed and intact, warm towels soaked in warm water and wrapped around the pipe, with no open flame,^[2] are the gentlest way to try, and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says: "Room temperature heat and careful use of a hair dryer are good methods."^[4] Our step-by-step guide to thawing a frozen pipe safely covers it. A split is different, and it often shows up late: "In most cases, the actual break doesn't appear until the water begins to thaw."^[4] Ask up front how the price changes if a split turns up.

Where the frozen section is. A pipe under a sink or across a basement ceiling is quick to reach. One inside an exterior wall, a ceiling or a crawl space means opening and closing the finish around it, and the plumber's time grows with it. A frozen section you cannot find or reach is usually a plumber's job from the start.

How much water got out. Drying a room, replacing wet drywall or insulation, and refinishing floors are separate trades and separate quotes. Close the main valve the moment you suspect a break; Virginia American Water's rule is: "Do not attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main water shut-off valve."^[1]

When you call. Ask whether a night, weekend or holiday call carries an emergency or after-hours charge, and how much it is, before the plumber comes out.

Whether it should be moved. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue suggests that after a break you may consider having the pipe or pipes rerouted through less vulnerable areas.^[4] Insulating or rerouting adds to the bill, so ask for it as a separate line in the quote.

When the frozen part may be the utility's to fix

If no faucet in the house works, the frozen part may be at the meter or in the service line, and that part may be your water utility's to deal with rather than a plumber's. Ask the utility before you book anyone, and ask whether it charges for the visit. Loudoun Water says that if you suspect a frozen pipe or meter, you can contact it, and its own staff thaw frozen meters.^[2] In Montgomery County, the Public Service Authority describes who owns what: "The PSA owns lines to the meter, and the property owner is responsible from the meter to the home."^[3] It also says the meter box and meter are PSA property and should be entered by PSA personnel only.^[3] Loudoun Water warns that opening the meter crock yourself can damage the meter and result in fines.^[2] Call your own utility before you call a plumber, and ask where its responsibility ends.

What to ask for in a quote

Virginia's Board for Contractors advises homeowners to get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications^[5] and to "Beware of any bid substantially lower than the others."^[5] It notes that Virginia law requires all licensed contractors to provide a written contract for residential work.^[5] Its 2017 guide suggests an initial deposit of no more than 10% of the total price or $1,000, whichever is less.^[5] And it warns: "A license number in an advertisement or on a business card does not necessarily mean the contractor's license is valid."^[5] Read how to check a contractor's licence in Virginia before you sign.

For a frozen pipe, ask each plumber:

• Is the thaw priced separately from any repair, and what happens to the price if a split turns up?
• Is there a trip, emergency or after-hours charge?
• Will you open a wall or ceiling, and does the price include closing it, or only the plumbing?
• What pipe material will you repair with, and is the repair covered by a warranty?
• Would you recommend insulating or rerouting this pipe, and what would that add?

Prevention is the cheap option

Virginia American Water's advice on dripping a faucet in hard freezes: "The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe."^[1] Loudoun Water makes the same point about heat: "Travelers will often make the mistake of turning their thermostats off thinking it will save on their heating bill when in reality, they'll come home to frozen pipes."^[2] Our guide to keeping pipes from freezing in winter covers what to do before the next cold snap.

Stop and call a pro if

• The pipe has split, or water is coming through a ceiling, wall or floor. Close the main valve first.
• The frozen section is inside a wall or ceiling, or you cannot find it.
• Water is reaching electrical equipment or a gas appliance. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says to call the fire department if the water gets in or near electrical outlets or panels, or if the water threatens a pilot light or power to a water heater or furnace.^[4] For emergencies, including gas leaks, it says to call 911.^[4]
• The pipe will not thaw with gentle heat.
• No faucet in the house runs and the meter may be frozen: call your water utility first.

Getting quotes on Loclis

On Loclis you describe the frozen pipe once and licensed local plumbers quote it. A plumber who needs to see the pipe first can offer an estimate visit, and a paid visit's fee comes off the price of the work. Loclis's own fees are on the pricing page. You can also browse frozen pipe repair, find plumbers in Blacksburg, read when to call a plumber for frozen pipes, or see all plumbing repair answers.