Hear From Our Customers
You turn the faucet and nothing happens. The temperature dropped overnight, and now you’re facing every Hometown homeowner’s winter nightmare. But here’s what most people don’t realize: frozen pipes don’t always burst where they’re frozen.
The real damage happens from water pressure building between the blockage and your closed faucet. That pressure can release up to 250 gallons of water per day through just an eighth-inch crack, flooding your home in hours.
When we restore your water flow, you get back to normal life without the panic of potential flooding or the massive cleanup costs that follow burst pipes.
We’ve been part of the Cook County community for over two decades, handling everything from gurgling drains to emergency pipe repairs. What started as a simple mission to offer honest, dependable plumbing service with no hidden fees has grown into Hometown’s go-to emergency plumbing company.
Illinois winters are brutal on plumbing systems. We understand the unique challenges that Hometown residents face when temperatures plummet below freezing for days at a time.
Our licensed, bonded, and insured team knows that when your pipes freeze, you need someone who can respond fast and fix the problem right the first time.
First, we locate the frozen section using professional diagnostic equipment. No guesswork, no wasted time tearing up walls or floors hoping to find the problem.
Next, we attach our specialized electrical thawing equipment to both ends of the frozen pipe section. This professional-grade equipment sends controlled electrical current through the metal pipes, warming them just enough to melt the ice blockage safely.
Within minutes, water pressure helps clear the remaining ice, and your water flow returns to normal. We then inspect the entire system to ensure no damage occurred and provide recommendations to prevent future freezing.
Ready to get started?
Our frozen pipe repair service includes professional electrical thawing, system inspection, and water damage prevention. We use state-of-the-art pipe thawing machines that can handle up to 175 feet of frozen pipes without destructive excavation.
Hometown’s winter climate creates specific challenges for plumbing systems. With average winter temperatures dropping to 21 degrees Fahrenheit at night, pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are especially vulnerable.
We also provide pipe insulation services, preventative maintenance, and emergency flood control to protect your investment. Our upfront pricing means you know exactly what you’ll pay before we start any work.
Burst pipes can release up to 10 gallons of water per minute, which means significant flooding can occur within hours if not addressed immediately. The real danger isn’t just the freeze itself, but what happens when pipes thaw.
Even a small eighth-inch crack can release 250 gallons of water per day into your home. In Hometown’s climate, where temperatures can fluctuate rapidly, pipes may freeze overnight and begin thawing the next day without you realizing there’s damage.
That’s why professional inspection and immediate repair are critical when you suspect frozen pipes.
We use professional electrical pipe thawing equipment that sends controlled current through metal pipes to warm them safely and efficiently. This method thaws pipes in minutes without requiring us to tear up floors, break through walls, or dig in frozen ground.
Our specialized equipment can handle pipes up to 175 feet long and works by warming the pipe just enough to melt the outer ice layers. Water pressure then helps clear the remaining blockage naturally.
This is much safer than DIY methods like hair dryers, space heaters, or dangerous open flames that can cause fires or damage your plumbing system.
The average insurance claim for frozen pipe water damage ranges from $15,000 to $25,000, but costs can be much higher depending on the extent of flooding and structural damage. Illinois ranks second nationally for frozen pipe claims, with over $78 million in annual damages.
Beyond the immediate repair costs, you may face increased insurance premiums, temporary housing expenses, and replacement of damaged personal belongings. Many homeowners also discover that their insurance deductible can be substantial.
Professional pipe thawing and prevention services cost a fraction of potential damage costs, making emergency repair an investment in protecting your home and finances.
Yes, there are several effective prevention strategies for Hometown’s climate conditions. The three main causes of frozen pipes are quick temperature drops, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low.
We recommend insulating pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and along exterior walls. Keep cabinet doors open during cold snaps to allow warm air circulation around pipes under sinks. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees, even when away.
For pipes that freeze repeatedly, we can relocate them to warmer areas or install heat tape for additional protection. Regular plumbing inspections before winter help identify vulnerable areas before problems occur.
The most obvious sign is little to no water flow when you turn on faucets, especially during or after periods of freezing weather. You might also hear strange noises like clanging or gurgling sounds from your pipes.
Check for visible signs on exposed pipes like bulges, condensation, or frost formation. If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait for the situation to worsen.
Other warning signs include water pressure changes throughout your home or foul odors coming from drains. These can indicate partial blockages that may worsen as temperatures drop further.
Waiting for natural thawing is risky because you won’t know if pipes have burst until they’re fully thawed. Frozen water can actually plug small leaks, hiding damage until the ice melts and flooding begins.
If you’re not home when pipes thaw and reveal burst sections, you could return to extensive water damage throughout your house. Even if you are present, the sudden rush of water from a burst pipe can overwhelm your ability to control the situation quickly.
Professional thawing allows us to control the process, monitor for damage, and address any issues immediately before they become catastrophic flooding events.
