Follow these 7 steps to find frozen pipes in your home.

Step 1: Check the most likely areas where they occur.

Some of the most likely areas to find a burst pipe are:

• Pipes in exterior walls
• Basements
• Attics
• Crawl spaces
• Garages
• Rooms with no heating
• Beneath kitchen cabinets
• Outdoor pipes

These should be the first places you look when trying to locate the frozen pipe in your home. By narrowing your initial search to these areas, you can find the freeze more quickly and thaw it before the pipe bursts.

Related: How long does it take for pipes to freeze?

Step 2: Check the water pressure and flow.

The next step you should take to narrow down the location of the frozen section of pipe is to turn on all the faucets. Be sure to use the hot water setting.

Check each faucet for signs of restricted water flow. If you notice one faucet has a smaller amount of water coming out, it’s a sign of a frozen pipe nearby. If all your faucets have restricted water flow, the water supply line is the most likely culprit.

Not only can this step help you find the frozen pipe, but it may solve the problem altogether. If only a small amount of water in the pipe is frozen, running hot water through it may be enough to thaw it completely. 

Step 3: Inspect visible pipes for cold spots and bulging.

Look for visible signs of a freeze, like condensation or frost on the pipe's exterior. If a room is warm enough, there may even be condensation dripping from the pipe and forming a puddle beneath it.

When water freezes, it expands, putting stress on the pipe. If you’ve ever put a glass bottle of liquid in the freezer to cool it quickly and forgotten it, you likely came back to find the bottle shattered. The frozen water in your plumbing can have the same effect on a pipe.

Look for areas where pipes seem to be bulging or expanding. It’s important to act quickly if you find a pipe expanding. This can help you thaw the water before you end up with a burst pipe.

Step 4: Listen for unusual sounds.

Another way to narrow down the location of frozen pipes is by listening for strange sounds in your plumbing. The solid water can obstruct the flow of water through the pipe. As a result, the pipe can emit distinctive gurgling, banging, or whistling noises. You may notice these sounds when flushing a toilet near a frozen pipe.

After turning on all your faucets, walk around the areas of your house most likely to have frozen pipes. Listen for sounds that may indicate a freeze to narrow down where it is.

Step 5: Look for signs of water damage.

In some cases, a pipe can freeze in a location where dripping condensation can lead to water damage. Water damage can also result from a burst pipe.

One of the most likely places to notice water damage from a frozen pipe is on the ceiling. When a pipe freezes or bursts in the attic, the water that runs off from it pools in the ceiling, leading to warping or sagging. Other signs of water damage include rings and puddles forming.

Step 6: Use an infrared thermometer.

Some homeowners with plumbing expertise may have an infrared thermometer handy. This tool can indicate the temperature of a surface without physical contact. The most common use of infrared thermometers in plumbing is leak detection. However, using the thermometer to find cold areas of pipe can help you find the freeze.

Step 7: Hire a plumber.

When a frozen pipe is in a wall, you have limited ways to identify it visually or by feel. Sounds can help you find the freeze but aren’t foolproof. For most homeowners, accessing a pipe inside a wall is a complex and dangerous task.

If the frozen pipe is in the wall, you’ll most likely need to hire a professional to find and repair it.

How to thaw frozen pipes. 

In finding the pipe, your first step is to turn on the hot water on all your faucets. As mentioned before, this alone can be enough to thaw minor freezes. If the frozen pipe persists after turning on your hot water, there are a few other steps you can take to thaw the pipe yourself.

You can use any of the following home items to thaw your frozen pipe if it’s exposed:

• Hair dryer
• Space heater
• Electric heating pad
• A cloth soaked in hot water

Using one of these, gradually warm the pipe until water flows normally from the nearest faucet. You should never attempt to thaw a frozen pipe with any kind of open flame. A blow torch or gas heater can pose serious risks of house fires.

Here's a complete guide on how to thaw frozen pipes.

Hire a plumber to find (and fix) your frozen pipes.

In many cases, a frozen pipe is in an easily accessible location. Most homeowners have the equipment to locate and thaw minor freezes. However, if you suspect frozen pipes inside a wall or burst pipes, you should hire a local plumber. Plumbers have the tools and expertise to safely locate and repair frozen pipes.

The easiest way to find a plumber in your area is with Thumbtack. Download the Thumbtack app today to get a free quote from a nearby professional.

Related: How to keep pipes from freezing.