Iowa winters freeze pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces, garages and unheated porches. A frozen pipe is a warning; a split pipe is an emergency, and often you don't find out until it thaws and starts running. Elite answers 24/7.
Free, no-obligation inspection within our service area. Work is billed only if you approve it in a signed work authorization.
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Last updated · Written by the Elite Restoration Services of Iowa team
What should I do if a frozen pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve right away, stay away from water near outlets or the panel, photograph the pipe and the damage, and call 515-216-4293. Elite answers 24/7. Frozen pipes often split inside walls, so a free on-site inspection with moisture meters shows how far the water went before drying starts.
What are the signs a pipe may be frozen?
On a very cold morning, watch for these.
A faucet gives a trickle or nothing
Frost on an exposed pipe
A sink on an outside wall stops working
Want someone to come look at it?
The on-site inspection is free, with no obligation, within our service area. Call any hour, or send a short request and our office will call you back.
Free, no-obligation inspection within our service area. Work is billed only if you approve it in a signed work authorization.
What if it's frozen but not leaking yet?
The American Red Cross recommends keeping the faucet open, applying heat with a hair dryer, heating pad or space heater kept away from flammables, and never using an open flame. If you can't find or reach the frozen area, call a licensed plumber (American Red Cross, Frozen Pipes).
Why does frozen pipe damage spread?
Frozen pipes often split inside walls, so water can run down the cavity and into the floor and basement before anyone notices. Moisture meters and, where needed, opening small areas of drywall show how far it went.
How does Elite handle frozen pipe damage?
We do a free on-site inspection, map the wet areas, extract water, remove materials that can't be dried and run drying equipment while tracking moisture. The industry standard is the IICRC S500. Elite is an IICRC Certified Firm, and we have an IICRC Triple Master on staff.
Does insurance cover freeze damage?
Coverage for freeze damage depends on your policy and on things like whether the home was heated. Your adjuster decides. We document the job with photos, moisture logs and a scope of the work, and you choose who does your repairs. We're not a public adjuster, so we don't negotiate or settle claims.
How do I prevent frozen pipes?
See our guide, How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Iowa: insulate exposed pipes, disconnect hoses, open cabinet doors on cold nights, keep the thermostat steady, and know where your shutoff is.
Frozen Pipe Damage Cleanup looks different in a house, an apartment building, a school or a business. These pages cover the risks and priorities for each.
Frozen Pipe Damage Cleanup: questions people ask us
Don't see yours? Call 515-216-4293 any hour and ask.
A plumber fixed the pipe. Do I still need drying?
If water got into walls, pad or subfloor, the surface may look dry while moisture stays underneath. A free inspection with a moisture meter tells you.
Do you fix the pipe?
Pipe repair is a plumber's job. We handle the water damage.
About Elite Restoration Services of Iowa
Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC is a locally owned, independent restoration company at 751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313, offering water, fire and smoke, mold, storm and sewage damage restoration. It has been fully operating since February 2026. Elite is an IICRC Certified Firm, BBB A+ accredited and Iowa registered contractor #C151765. Phone 515-216-4293, answered 24/7.
Calling is the most direct way to reach us, day or night. Prefer to type? Send this short form and our office will call you back.
751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Free on-site inspection
Your choice of repair contractor
Free on-site inspections within our service area in the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa; ask us about any limits when you call. The inspection is free with no obligation. Mitigation, lab testing, and repair work are billed only if you approve them in a signed work authorization.
Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC and M&B Contractor Services LLC have the same owners. If you need repairs or rebuilding after mitigation, M&B is one option, but you are never required to use M&B. You are free to choose any contractor, and your choice will not affect the mitigation services Elite provides. We share your information with M&B only with your permission.
