How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in New York Homes

Where Pipes Freeze in New York Homes

Pipes freeze where cold air reaches them. In older Capital Region and upstate homes, that usually means kitchen and bathroom pipes on exterior walls, supply lines running through attached garages, pipes in crawl spaces and unfinished basements near the rim joist, and lines near drafty windows or sill plates. Lake effect cold in western and central New York and long stretches of single digit nights in the North Country push the risk even higher.

• Sink supply lines on exterior walls
• Pipes in attached garages
• Crawl spaces and the top of basement walls
• Outdoor hose bibs and the pipes feeding them
• Bathrooms added over porches or unheated spaces

Get Ready Before the First Hard Freeze

Disconnect garden hoses, shut the inside valve that feeds each hose bib, and open the outside spigot to drain it. Add foam pipe insulation to exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and basements. Seal gaps where cold air enters near pipes with caulk or spray foam. Keep the garage door closed in cold weather. These steps take an afternoon and prevent the most common freeze calls we get.

During Deep Cold

When the forecast drops into the single digits or below zero, open the cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls so warm room air reaches the pipes. Let those faucets drip a thin, steady stream overnight. Moving water is much harder to freeze, and an open faucet relieves pressure if ice does form. Keep the thermostat steady day and night instead of turning it down while you sleep.

Heat Tape Cautions

Heat tape and heat cables can help on pipes that are hard to protect, but use them carefully. Use only products listed for use on pipes, follow the instructions exactly, never wrap a cable over itself, and plug it into a proper outlet rather than an extension cord. Check older heat tape every fall for cracks or worn spots. Damaged heat tape can be a fire risk, so replace it rather than patching it.

Vacant Homes, Camps and Snowbirds

If you leave for the winter or own a vacant property, keep the heat on at a safe setting and have someone check the house regularly. For a home or camp that will sit empty and unheated, shut off the main water and drain the plumbing system completely before you leave. A remote temperature or leak alert gives you an early warning if the heat fails. Many burst pipes we see in spring happened in homes where no one was there to notice.

What to Do if a Pipe Freezes

If a faucet only trickles or nothing comes out on a cold morning, a pipe is likely frozen. Open the faucet, then warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer or warm towels, starting near the faucet and working back. Never use an open flame or a torch. If you cannot find the frozen spot, cannot reach it, or see any sign of a split or leak, shut off the main water and call a plumber. Fullerton answers 24/7 at (518) 776-7838.