Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair in Overland Park, KS
Most frozen pipes in Johnson County homes are in the same few places: outside walls, garages, crawl spaces, under sinks on exterior walls, and hose bibbs left with a hose attached. A frozen pipe isn’t always a burst pipe yet, and how it’s thawed can decide whether it becomes one.
Local Overland Park plumber · Open 7 days, 7 AM–8 PM
If a pipe has already burst
- Shut off the main water valve (basement or crawl space, usually on the wall facing the street)
- Open a faucet on the lowest level to drain the system and relieve pressure
- Turn off power to any wet electrical circuits if it’s safe to reach the panel
- Turn a gas water heater to “pilot” or switch off an electric heater if the house will be without water for a while
- Photograph the damage for insurance, then call us
If you think a pipe is frozen (but not leaking)
WaterOne’s advice is not to wait it out (WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes). Shut off the water or test the shutoff first, so water doesn’t gush when the ice plug lets go. Open the faucet, then apply gentle heat starting near the faucet end and working toward the coldest section. A hair dryer is appropriate; a torch is not. Don’t use electrical appliances while standing in water.
If you can’t reach the frozen section, it’s inside a wall, or more than one fixture is affected, call. We’ll thaw it safely and check for splits that only leak once the water is back on.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
Why pipes burst, and when
Water expands about 9% as it freezes. In a closed section of pipe, WaterOne notes that this can raise pressure from around 60 psi to over 200 psi, and the pipe fails, often somewhere other than where the ice is. WaterOne says weather scientists advise precautions at around 20°F, with the greatest risk when temperatures stay in the single digits for several days.
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
Talk to a plumber about frozen & burst pipe repair
Call (913) 379-3324 or book online. Open 7 days, 7 AM–8 PM.
Preventing frozen pipes in Johnson County
- Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor faucets before the first freeze. Frost-free hose bibbs only drain with the hose off.
- Turn off and drain irrigation systems, and prep any outdoor backflow device for winter
- Insulate pipes near exterior walls, in unheated basements, garages and crawl spaces
- In a deep freeze, open cabinet doors on exterior walls and keep the garage door closed
- Let a very slow drip run at the faucet farthest from where water enters the house
- Keep the thermostat above 65°F if you’re away for several days. WaterOne customers can request a precautionary shutoff while traveling (913-895-1800; trip charges apply)
Source: WaterOne: Prevent Frozen Pipes. Checked October 2026.
Fixing the cause, not just the break
A pipe that froze once will freeze again unless something changes. Permanent fixes include rerouting a line away from an exterior wall, adding insulation, replacing a standard hose bibb with a frost-free one, and replacing burst sections with PEX, which tolerates freezing better than rigid pipe. Buried lines that freeze are often too shallow: Overland Park’s code sets the frost line at 36 inches and requires exterior water piping at least 6 inches below it.
Replacing a section of burst pipe is permitted work under Overland Park’s code, but emergency repairs don’t wait: the permit application can be submitted the next working business day (Ordinance BC-3499).
Source: Overland Park Ordinance BC-3499 (2024 International Codes, effective July 1, 2026). Checked October 2026.
What affects the cost
- Where the pipe is (exposed vs inside a finished wall or ceiling)
- How many breaks
- Whether a line needs rerouting or insulating
- Water damage cleanup is a separate trade
How it works
- Call or book. We help you stop the water first if needed, then give you an arrival window.
- Diagnose. We find the actual cause and show you what we found.
- Options before work. Repair vs replace, explained plainly. Nothing starts until you say go.
- Fixed to code. Permit and inspection handled where required, and the work area left clean.
Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair: common questions
At what temperature do pipes freeze in Kansas City?
WaterOne says precautions make sense at around 20°F, and the greatest risk is when temperatures stay in the single digits for several days.
Should I let my faucets drip?
In a deep freeze, a very slow drip at the faucet farthest from where water enters the house keeps water moving and lowers the chance of freezing.
Can I use a space heater or torch to thaw a pipe?
Never use an open flame. A hair dryer or other gentle heat source, applied from the faucet end toward the frozen section with the faucet open, is the safe approach. Keep electrical devices away from water.
Why did my frost-free hose bibb burst?
Usually because a hose was left connected. The hose holds water in the valve body so it can’t drain, and it freezes inside the wall.
Will my homeowners insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from a burst pipe but not the pipe itself or gradual leaks. Your insurer decides; photos and our written description help.
Available in
- Overland Park: our home base in south OP.
- Olathe: Thawing and repair for frozen lines in Olathe homes.
- Lenexa: Burst pipe repair and freeze-proofing for Lenexa homes.
- Stilwell: Rural lots, outbuildings and well lines freeze too; ask about well-system scope.
Guides for homeowners
- Winterize Your Plumbing: A Johnson County Fall Checklist: What to do in October and November so a January cold snap doesn’t become a burst pipe.
Related services
- Emergency & Same-Day Plumbing: Burst pipes, backups and no-water calls, answered 7 days a week, 7 AM–8 PM.
- Leak Detection & Repair: Find hidden supply and drain leaks before they become ceiling, floor or slab damage.
- Water Service Line Repair & Replacement: The buried line from the meter to your house: leaks found, repaired or replaced to code.
- Repiping (PEX & Copper): Partial and whole-house repipes when leaks keep coming back.
- General Plumbing Repair: The everyday fixes: shutoff valves, noisy pipes, pressure problems and more.
Get help with frozen & burst pipe repair
Call (913) 379-3324 or book online. Open 7 days, 7 AM–8 PM.