A frozen pipe is an inconvenience. A burst one is a flood. Here’s how to avoid both.
Long Island winters don’t always bring extreme cold, but the South Shore sees enough hard freezes and coastal wind chill to put unprotected pipes at real risk. When water inside a pipe freezes, it expands with enormous force — enough to split copper and crack fittings. The pipe often holds until it thaws, and then it lets go, releasing water into your walls and floors. A little prevention now can save you a very expensive emergency later.
The pipes most likely to freeze are those in unheated or poorly insulated areas: crawl spaces, unfinished basements, garages, attics, and any lines running along exterior walls. Outdoor hose bibs and irrigation lines are especially vulnerable. In older Massapequa homes, pipes in additions and enclosed porches often lack adequate insulation and freeze first.
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. Keep the faucet open — as you thaw the pipe, running water helps melt the ice. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section with a hair dryer or warm towels, working from the faucet end toward the blockage. Never use an open flame — it’s a fire hazard and can damage the pipe. If you can’t reach the frozen area, or if a pipe has already burst, shut off the main valve and call a plumber right away.
Every winter we get emergency calls from homeowners dealing with burst pipes that a few dollars of insulation and a dripping faucet could have prevented. Take an afternoon before the first hard freeze to walk your home, insulate what’s exposed, and locate your shutoff. Your future self will thank you.