5 services · Arkansas
Leaks, pipes & freezing in Arkansas
Arkansas has hot, humid summers and mild winters punctuated by ice storms and hard freezes, which split pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls of homes built for warm weather.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Leaks, pipes & freezing in Arkansas: what to know
Crawl-space and slab foundations are common across the state, and humid crawl spaces corrode metal pipe and hide slow leaks. Older homes in Little Rock's Hillcrest and Quapaw Quarter have older supply lines, while many rural homes rely on private wells with pumps and pressure tanks that also need freeze protection.
Insulating crawl-space pipes, closing vents before an ice storm and knowing where the main shutoff is prevent most winter damage. Plumbing in Arkansas is regulated by the state Department of Health's plumbing program.
- Climate
- Arkansas gets periodic hard freezes and ice storms, often after mild spells, which catch exposed pipes off guard. Pipes in crawl spaces, exterior walls and garages are the first to freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Crawl-space and slab foundations are common, and many rural homes use wells and septic systems. Most common: crawl spaces.
Leaks, pipes & freezing services
Burst pipe repair
Turn off the main water shutoff first, then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines. A plumber cuts out the split section, replaces it, and checks the rest of that pipe run, because one freeze rarely damages only one spot.
Frozen pipe thawing
If a faucet gives no water or only a trickle after a hard freeze, a pipe is frozen. Leave that faucet open, warm the area gently, and call a plumber if you can't find the frozen section or if it's inside a wall, because a split pipe will leak as soon as it thaws.
Leak detection
Turn off every fixture and watch the water meter's leak indicator. If it moves, water is leaking somewhere. A plumber uses pressure tests, acoustic listening and thermal imaging to find the leak so only a small section of wall or floor has to be opened.
Repiping
Repiping replaces a home's water supply lines, usually because old galvanized steel has corroded or polybutylene is at risk of failing. Most repipes today use PEX, take two to five days, and are done through small wall openings rather than gutting the house.
Water line repair
The water service line runs from the curb stop near the street to your house, buried below the frost line. A leak shows up as a soggy patch in the yard, low pressure throughout the house, or a meter that never stops. Repair means finding the leak, then fixing that spot or replacing the line.
Leaks, pipes & freezing by city in Arkansas
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Leaks, pipes & freezing questions in Arkansas
How do I protect pipes during an Arkansas ice storm?
Should I turn off the water if a pipe bursts?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the leaks, pipes & freezing guide.
More plumbing in Arkansas
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