If your pipes are frozen and they have already burst, you need to take extra precautions while thawing your pipes. The first step to thawing your frozen pipes is to turn off your water supply. When your pipes freeze, the water in your pipes is frozen, but once you thaw the pipes, all the water that has built up will gush out and flood your living space. When thawing burst pipes, have a mop, bucket or towel ready in case the frozen water thaws and spills onto your floors.