You can help prevent pipes from freezing by keeping them warm, insulating pipes in cold spaces and blocking drafts that reach them. These steps lower the risk, though no single step can guarantee a pipe will never freeze.
Frozen water expands, and that pressure can crack a pipe or loosen a fitting. When the ice melts, a damaged pipe can start leaking, which is one reason winter is a common time for burst pipe repair in the Bronx. A little preparation before a cold snap can make a difference.
Know Which Pipes Are Most at Risk
Pipes are more likely to freeze when they run through cold areas, such as unheated basements, crawl spaces, garages or along exterior walls. Pipes near drafty windows, vents or gaps in a wall can also be exposed to freezing air.
Not every property has freeze-prone pipes, and it depends on how the building is laid out and heated. Walking through your home before winter and noting where pipes run close to the cold is a useful first step. Spots that feel much colder than the rest of the room, or where you notice frost or drafts, deserve extra attention.
Practical Steps Before Cold Weather
NYC DEP’s guidance on how to protect your pipes from freezing suggests insulating pipes and meters in cold areas and opening cabinet doors when pipes sit against an outside wall, so warmer air can reach them.
- Keep the heat on, even when you are away
- Seal drafts near pipes where you safely can
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and close the indoor valve for outdoor spigots, if you have one
- Know where your main shutoff valve is before a cold snap
If you will be away for several days in winter, ask someone to check on the property. A frozen or leaking pipe in an empty home can go unnoticed for a long time.
Apartments and Shared Buildings
In an apartment, heating is usually controlled by the building, and many pipes run through shared walls and spaces you cannot reach. If your unit is unusually cold or you notice a draft near pipes, let your super or building management know.
Owners and managers of multifamily buildings may want to check boiler rooms, basements, stairwells and other areas where pipes run through colder spaces before winter. Repairing broken windows, keeping exterior doors closed and sealing gaps around pipes can help keep cold air away from the plumbing.
If You Suspect a Pipe Has Frozen
A faucet that gives little or no water in freezing weather may point to a frozen pipe, though it can have other causes. DEP warns never to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame, since it can cause a fire or a dangerous buildup of steam.
If a pipe may be frozen or has started leaking, call (929) 209-6183. Plumbing help in the Bronx is available 24/7, including nights, Sundays and holidays.
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