A frozen pipe isn't just an inconvenience — it's one of the most common causes of serious water damage in New York homes every winter. When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands, and that pressure can crack or split the pipe even before it thaws. The real damage often shows up days later, once the ice melts and water starts flowing through a break you didn't know was there.
The good news is that most frozen pipe emergencies are preventable with a handful of simple, low-cost precautions taken before the cold sets in.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk?
Not every pipe in your home faces the same risk. Pipes are most vulnerable when they run through unheated or poorly insulated spaces — think basements, attics, garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. Pipes along an exterior wall, especially on the north-facing side of a building, are particularly exposed even in homes that are otherwise well-heated.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install on any pipe running through an unheated space. Focus first on pipes in basements, attics, and crawl spaces, and any pipe running along an exterior wall.
Seal Air Leaks Near Pipes
Cold air drafts near foundation cracks, around pipe entry points, or through unsealed vents can drop the temperature around a pipe enough to cause freezing, even if the rest of the room feels comfortable. Caulk or spray foam around these gaps before winter arrives.
Keep a Trickle of Water Running
During a severe cold snap, letting a faucet connected to a vulnerable pipe drip slightly keeps water moving through the line, which makes it much harder for ice to form. This is especially worth doing for any fixture on an exterior wall during the coldest nights of the year.
Keep Interior Doors Open
Closed cabinet and interior doors can trap cold air around pipes that run behind them, like under a kitchen or bathroom sink. Opening cabinet doors during extreme cold lets warmer household air reach those pipes.
Maintain Consistent Indoor Heat
Avoid dropping your thermostat too low overnight or while away from home during cold snaps, even if it feels wasteful. A consistent minimum indoor temperature, generally not below 55°F, gives at-risk pipes a better chance of staying above freezing.
Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses
Water left in an outdoor hose or hose bib can freeze and expand back into the connected indoor pipe. Disconnect hoses before the first hard freeze and, if your home has them, shut off any interior valves for exterior spigots.
If you're traveling during winter: Never turn your heat off completely, even for a short trip. Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F, and consider asking a neighbor to check on your home during an extended absence or a particularly severe cold snap.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
If you turn on a faucet and get little or no water, along with frost visible on an exposed section of pipe, you likely have a freeze in progress rather than a full burst. Acting quickly can prevent it from becoming worse.
Shut off the water supply to that section, if you can locate the shutoff valve.
Open the affected faucet to relieve pressure and let melting ice drain out as it thaws.
Gently warm the pipe starting from the end nearest the faucet, using a hair dryer, space heater kept at a safe distance, or towels soaked in warm water. Never use an open flame.
Call a plumber if you can't locate the frozen section, the pipe is inaccessible, or you notice any sign the pipe has already cracked.
Dealing With a Frozen or Burst Pipe Right Now?
Our emergency plumbers respond 24/7, no matter how severe the weather.
📞 Call 1-607-389-0481When It's More Than Just a Freeze
If you notice water stains, dripping, or pooling water anywhere near a pipe after a cold snap, treat it as a possible burst rather than a simple freeze. A pipe that freezes and thaws without fully splitting can still develop a small crack that leaks slowly for weeks, which is one of the most common hidden leaks we find after winter storms. If in doubt, shutting off your main water valve and calling a licensed plumber is always the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what temperature do pipes start to freeze?
Pipes are generally at risk when outdoor temperatures drop below 20°F, especially for pipes running through unheated spaces like basements, attics, garages, or exterior walls.
What should I do if a pipe is already frozen?
Shut off the water supply to that section if possible, open the faucet to relieve pressure, and gently warm the pipe with a hair dryer or warm towels starting from the faucet end. Never use an open flame. If you can't locate the frozen section or the pipe has already burst, call a licensed plumber immediately.
How do I know if a pipe has already burst?
Signs include no water coming from a faucet, unusual sounds when you turn on a fixture, visible frost on an exposed pipe, or water stains and pooling near a wall or ceiling. If you suspect a burst pipe, shut off your main water valve and call a plumber right away.