Winter in Sacramento and the East Bay Area can bring surprise cold snaps, especially after big storms like the atmospheric rivers we saw earlier this January. While we often worry about rain and flooding, another sneaky problem hits many homes: frozen pipes. When temperatures drop overnight, water inside unprotected pipes can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe. Once it thaws, water gushes out, flooding your home and leading to serious water damage.
As a homeowner, you don’t need to handle this yourself; trying to thaw pipes or clean up big floods on your own can make things worse and even dangerous. At Lawton Construction & Restoration, our family-owned business has over 50 years of experience helping California families recover from these exact situations. We’re IICRC-certified, meaning we follow the highest industry standards for safe, thorough restoration. Left untreated, this kind of water damage can quickly lead to mold growth, structural weakening, and costly repairs that go far beyond a simple plumbing fix.
Here’s what every homeowner needs to know about frozen pipes, why they burst, and why calling Lawton is the smartest move.
How Frozen Pipes Turn into a Water Disaster
Pipes freeze when cold air reaches them, usually in unheated areas like attics, basements, crawl spaces, or exterior walls. Water expands about 9% when it freezes, putting huge pressure on the pipe until it cracks or splits. The real damage happens when the ice melts: water pours out fast, often while you’re at work or asleep.
A small crack can release hundreds of gallons in just an hour, soaking carpets, drywall, furniture, and even reaching electrical outlets. In Sacramento’s older homes or East Bay properties with crawl spaces under the house, this water can hide and cause mold, rot, and foundation issues if not dried properly.
These photos show the kind of flooding and soaked materials that often follow a burst pipe. The longer you wait, the worse it gets.
Simple Prevention Steps You Can Take
As a homeowner, you can help protect your pipes without major work:
• Keep your home heated to at least 55° F, even when you’re away.
• Let faucets drip slowly during cold nights to keep water moving.
• Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or heat tape (available at hardware stores).
• Seal drafts around windows, doors, and foundation vents.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses.
These tips work great for many homes, especially in our mild-but-sometimes-chilly California winters. However, if your home is older, has long runs of exposed pipes, or has older wrappings or tape surrounding the pipes. Don’t remove it yourself! There is a possibility that this material may contain asbestos.
What Happens If Pipes Freeze and Burst? Call Lawton Immediately!
If you notice no water flow, frost on pipes, strange banging noises, or sudden wet spots, shut off your main water valve right away (usually near the water meter or where the main line enters your home). Don’t try to thaw or repair it yourself; call Lawton Construction & Restoration at (866) 990-5150 or email help@lawtoncr.com.
We’re available 24/7 for emergencies in Sacramento, Roseville, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and throughout the East Bay. Our IICRC-certified team follows the strict ANSI/IICRC S500 standards to:
• Arrive fast and stop the water.
• Extract standing water with powerful equipment.
• Dry your home completely using industrial fans and dehumidifiers.
• Clean and sanitize to stop mold before it starts.
• Repair or replace damaged areas – we handle everything from plumbing fixes to full reconstruction.
We work directly with your insurance company too, so you don’t have to stress about paperwork.
Here’s what our professional teams do to quickly clean up and dry out homes after a burst pipe flood.
