7 signs you have frozen pipes in your home.

Sign #1: Reduced water flow.

Probably the most obvious sign of frozen pipes is reduced water flow. Any time you turn on the tap and find that water flows extremely slowly — or not at all — it's possible the pipes are frozen. A pipe that's completely frozen won't have any flow, but a partially frozen pipe might still have a slow trickle.

While you're waiting for your pipes to thaw, keep your taps open. Even the smallest bit of water flowing through the pipes can help keep them from totally freezing.

Sign #2: Unusual noises.

Pipes like to talk, but unusual noises are their cry for help. If you hear strange clanking, banging, or popping sounds when you run water or flush the toilet, it's not a ghost — it's potentially a frozen pipe struggling to let water pass. The ice inside the pipes is moving around, causing the cacophony.

Related: Why are my pipes making noise?

Sign #3: Water stains on your drywall or ceilings.

As water freezes, it expands, putting extra pressure on pipes. This can eventually lead to a burst pipe. A burst pipe will cause water damage to your walls or ceilings.

This is especially a concern for pipes that run along exterior walls or unheated areas like the basement. These places can get colder than the rest of the house, making them more likely to freeze and burst.

Sign #4: Frost on exposed pipes.

As we just mentioned, exposed pipes have a greater risk of freezing because they're not insulated. The only benefit of this? You can likely confirm from a visual inspection if your pipes are frozen or not. If you notice frost or ice on the exterior, it's a clear indication that your pipes could be frozen on the inside.

Next time, take preventive measures. For example, wrap those exposed pipes in insulation. An extra layer is like a warm winter coat, keeping pipes from freezing in the harsh cold.

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

Sign #5: Toilet is running slowly or not flushing.

Toilet’s not cooperating? If your flush seems slower than usual — or, worse, not flushing at all — a frozen pipe might be the culprit. After all, if pipes are frozen, there's nowhere for the toilet water to go.

In this case, you'll likely want to hold off on flushing again until you can fix the problem. Otherwise, you risk backing up your system. You may need to hire a plumber to fix this issue.

Sign #6: Bad smells.

Your home's water supply pipes aren't the only thing that can freeze. If your sewer lines freeze as well, you might start to notice something stinky.

Usually, waste is flushed pretty quickly through the line, but if it's frozen? It's stuck there, so nasty smells may make their way backward through the pipes and into your home.

Sign #7. Visible bulging.

If your pipes are under a lot of pressure due to ice expanding, you might see them physically start to bulge. It may resemble a snake that's just had a good meal. Humorous as it might look, it's not great, as it means the pipe is close to bursting.

Take steps to thaw out the pipes or contact a plumber immediately.

You have frozen pipes — now what? 

Now that you know how to know if pipes are frozen, your next question is probably, "How do I unfreeze them?" After you find the section of pipe that's frozen, here's a quick list of things you can try:

• Shut off the water to the affected pipe.
• Use a hair dryer or space heater to gently thaw the frozen pipe. But be careful — you don't want to heat up the pipe too fast.
• Put a space heater in any crawl spaces to provide warmth to unheated areas.
• Open up all your cabinet doors so they can share the heat from the rest of your home.
• Open all your faucets to help eliminate pressure in the line.
• Never use an open flame — you don't want to burn your house down.

This is just a quick summary. Here are even more tips on how to thaw frozen pipes.

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

Even if you're unable to find and thaw your frozen pipes, call a plumber right away to prevent water damage to your home. Luckily, plumbers are pros at this sort of thing. 

Skip the stress and download Thumbtack to see a list of top-rated plumbers near you. They'll handle the frozen pipe situation, leaving you with peace of mind and toasty pipes.

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