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How Much Does Frozen Pipe Repair Cost? About $100 to Thaw, $200 to $3,000 for a Burst Pipe

By Sharrk Team · October 29, 2026

Having a plumber thaw a frozen pipe that hasn't burst usually costs about $100. Once a pipe has burst, most repairs run $200 to $3,000 and average around $500, according to Angi and HomeAdvisor. Water damage cleanup is charged separately and can cost more than the pipe repair.

These figures are national averages from cost guides, not quotes. Your local plumber's price depends on where the pipe is, how much has to be opened up to reach it, and whether the call comes at 2 a.m.

How much does it cost to thaw a frozen pipe?

If the pipe froze but didn't crack, the job is usually small:

Angi and HomeAdvisor are sister sites owned by the same parent company, Angi Inc., so their matching numbers count as one source, not two (see Is HomeAdvisor the same as Angi?). ConsumerAffairs, updated June 19, 2026, also puts a plumber's thaw at "around $100."

Thawing gets more expensive when the frozen section is hard to reach, such as behind a finished wall, in a crawl space or underground. Night and weekend calls usually cost more too. For typical after-hours pricing, see how much plumbers charge for after-hours calls.

How much does burst pipe repair cost?

Once a pipe cracks or splits, you are paying to cut out the damaged section and replace it, plus any wall or ceiling work needed to reach it.

Other costs from the same guides:

• Per linear foot of pipe replaced: $150 to $250 including labor (HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide).
• Main water line burst: $150 to $2,000, averaging $1,080 (HomeAdvisor). Angi's frozen-pipe guide puts the average mainline repair at $1,100.
• High end: Angi says a repair that includes underground pipe replacement and flood damage can reach $5,000. HomeGuide's table goes up to $10,000.

How much does water damage cleanup add?

For a burst pipe, the cleanup often costs more than the plumbing. Angi lists water damage repair at $4 to $7 per square foot and mold remediation at $10 to $25 per square foot. HomeGuide prices the related work separately:

The quickest way to keep this bill small is to stop the water early.

What should you do while you wait for the plumber?

These steps come from the American Red Cross, Triple-I (the Insurance Information Institute) and Angi:

1. If a pipe has burst, shut off the main water valve first. Triple-I says: "If your pipes burst, first turn off the water and then mop up spills." Angi suggests calling your water utility's emergency line if you can't find the shut-off.
2. Open the faucet on the frozen line. The Red Cross says to keep it open so water can flow as the ice melts.
3. Use gentle heat only. That means a hair dryer, a heating pad or towels soaked in hot water. The Red Cross warns against a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, or any other open flame.
4. Check other faucets. If one pipe froze, others may have too.
5. Protect your belongings and document the damage. Triple-I advises moving carpet and furniture out of the water, listing damaged items, saving receipts and calling your insurer as soon as you can.
6. Call a licensed plumber if you can't find or reach the frozen section, or can't thaw it yourself (Red Cross).

How do you keep pipes from freezing?

• Keep the heat steady. The Red Cross says to keep the thermostat at the same setting day and night, and never lower than 55°F when you're away. Triple-I recommends at least 65°F so the inside of walls stays warm.
• Let faucets on exposed pipes drip during hard freezes.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air reaches the plumbing.
• Insulate pipes in attics, crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls. Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor lines. The Maryland Insurance Administration lists these steps, citing IBHS.

Does homeowners insurance cover frozen or burst pipes?

Often yes, for the water damage. Triple-I says standard homeowners policies cover most freeze damage, including when "house pipes freeze and burst." The NAIC says policies cover "sudden and accidental" discharge from plumbing, but coverage may be denied if the insurer finds you didn't take reasonable steps to prevent freezing. Policies generally require you to keep the home heated, or to shut off the water if the home is vacant. Flood and sewer backup are usually excluded unless you have separate coverage. Your deductible applies, so check your policy and ask your insurer.

What should a plumber's phone line ask on a frozen or burst pipe call?

For plumbing company owners: during a freeze, the right questions decide who gets a truck first. Here is the short version. Our plumbing emergency call script has the full wording.

1. Is water leaking or spraying right now? If yes, this is an active leak and goes to the on-call plumber immediately.
2. Have you shut off the main water valve? If not, walk the caller through finding it.
3. Is water near electrical outlets, panels or appliances? Safety comes first.
4. Frozen or burst? No water from one faucet points to a frozen line. Visible water or a wet ceiling points to a burst pipe.
5. Where is the pipe? Crawl space, exterior wall, attic, basement or outdoors.
6. Address, callback number, and any gate codes or access notes.
7. Do you understand the emergency fee? State your after-hours or emergency fee before you dispatch. If you're setting that fee, see after-hours plumber rates.

How Sharrk handles frozen and burst pipe calls

Sharrk's AI receptionist for plumbing answers every call 24/7. It asks your triage questions, and it can live-transfer active leaks to your on-call plumber, cold or warm with a short private brief. For calls that can wait, it books the visit on Sharrk's calendar or in ServiceTitan with real arrival windows, or it takes a message and sends you a text or email alert. It answers from your own knowledge base, so callers hear your actual emergency fee, service area and hours.

Mako, Sharrk's AI assistant, builds the agent from plain English. Try something like "Add a frozen pipe question and transfer anyone with water spraying to the on-call phone." Mako shows each change on an Apply card and waits for your OK, and you can undo changes.

Start free with Sharrk or schedule a demo.

Related on Sharrk: AI Receptionist for Plumbing · AI Answering Service · Pricing

Sources

• HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does a Burst Pipe Repair Cost in 2026?" (no update date shown): https://homeadvisor.com/cost/plumbing/repair-burst-pipe/ (checked October 29, 2026)
• Angi, "How Much Does a Burst Pipe Cost to Repair? [2025 Data]" (no update date shown): https://angi.com/articles/burst-pipe-repair-cost.htm (checked October 29, 2026)
• Angi, "What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze and How to Unfreeze Them" (updated July 9, 2026): https://www.angi.com/articles/what-do-if-your-pipes-freeze.htm (checked October 29, 2026)
• HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Burst Pipe? (2026)" (October 29, 2025): https://homeguide.com/costs/burst-pipe-repair-cost (checked October 29, 2026)
• ConsumerAffairs, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Frozen Pipes? (2026)" (updated June 19, 2026): https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/cost-to-repair-frozen-pipes.html (checked October 29, 2026)
• Stock Analysis, "Angi Inc. Company Profile" (no date shown): https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/angi/company/ (checked October 29, 2026)
• American Red Cross, "Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes" (no date shown): https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html (checked October 29, 2026)
• Triple-I, "Surviving severe cold weather" (no date shown): https://www.iii.org/article/surviving-severe-cold-weather (checked October 29, 2026)
• NAIC, "Will My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Water Damage From a Burst Pipe?" (February 8, 2024): https://content.naic.org/article/will-my-homeowners-insurance-policy-cover-water-damage-burst-pipe (checked October 29, 2026)
• Maryland Insurance Administration, "Protect Your Pipes" (no date shown): https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/frozen-pipes.aspx (checked October 29, 2026)

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