When temperatures drop below freezing across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the water inside exposed pipes can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe. The damage often is not discovered until the ice thaws and water begins pouring into a wall, ceiling, or basement.
The pipes most at risk are the ones with the least protection from the cold: those in unheated basements and crawl spaces, along exterior walls, and in garages or attics. Homes that sit empty during a cold snap, such as seasonal or rental properties, are especially vulnerable.
To reduce the risk, keep your home heated to at least 55 degrees even when you are away, open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes, and let a faucet drip slightly during extreme cold so pressure cannot build behind an ice blockage. Insulating exposed pipes with foam sleeves is an inexpensive fix that pays for itself the first time it prevents a burst.
If a pipe does freeze, keep the faucet open, apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or towels soaked in warm water, and never use an open flame. If you cannot locate the frozen section or a pipe has already burst, shut off your main water valve and call Plumbarama. Our teams across NJ and PA handle frozen and burst pipe emergencies 24/7.