Frozen Plumbing: What to Do?

Burt’s Reliable helps you prevent and repair plumbing emergencies.

Winter can present its share of safety concerns, from icy roadways to sub-freezing temperatures. As a homeowner, you are perhaps worried about preventing cold weather damage to your home’s major appliances and plumbing.

Frozen and burst pipes are some of the most common issues that can arise in homes in Riverhead and throughout Long Island’s North Fork and East End. So many houses sit empty in the winter, and if your external or exposed pipes get too cold, ice can form inside them. At Burt’s Reliable, we can help you prevent ice in your home’s plumbing. We also have a second-to-none plumbing services team that can address icy pipes and other plumbing emergencies before they lead to major damage to your property.

How can you prevent frozen pipes?

Even if you aren’t home, it’s important to keep your thermostat set to 60°F. If you turn off your home heating completely, exposed pipes could freeze. The ice could create pressure that results in a burst pipe and some potentially significant damage.

One great way to ensure your home’s temperatures aren’t dipping too low is to invest in a Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat like the Ecobee products we sell. These thermostats let you monitor and adjust your home temperatures remotely from a smartphone or tablet.

Other simple ways to prevent frozen pipes are:

• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas (like attics, crawl spaces and basements) with foam sleeves. You can also wrap them in heat tape.
• In the winter, disconnect and drain garden hoses and close water valves to outdoor faucets.
• While you’re away, leave cabinets open that contain drainpipes.
• During your absences, run a small trickle of warm water from your faucets.

How do you respond if there’s a frozen pipe?

If you know where the frozen length of piping is, you can apply heat to it using an electric heating pad, a hair dryer or a space heater. Never apply an open flame to a frozen pipe. Additionally, you should never use an electric device if there’s standing water nearby.

In attempting to thaw a frozen pipe, begin by warming the section closest to the faucet, then work back to the coldest section.

If this doesn’t solve the problem — or if it’s not safe to try thawing the pipe yourself — contact the plumbing team at Burt’s Reliable to fix the issue in no time!

Burt’s winterizes summer homes!

Many homeowners in Suffolk County trust Burt’s Reliable to prepare their summer homes for the winter months when they sit largely vacant. We ensure these homes have adequate fuel to stay warm enough to prevent frozen plumbing. We also get the house ready for use as spring arrives. With Burt’s as your summer home partner, you never need to worry about an unpleasant cold-weather surprise while you’re away.

If you’re interested in any of the home comfort, winterizing or plumbing services that Burt’s Reliable offers, contact our team today. We’re ready to help!