After an unseasonably mild start, winter weather has arrived in the Northeast with a vengeance. Homeowners should take the following precautions to protect their pipes from freezing:

• Insulate exterior walls.
• Turn off the water to exterior faucets. Drain and remove hoses, and drain the pipes.
• Ask your local plumbing supplier about materials to insulate pipes. Faucet covers are available, as are frost-free faucets.
• If you are going away for several days, ask a friend or neighbor to visit periodically and turn on a faucet to make sure the water is still flowing.

If your pipes do freeze:

• Open a faucet near the frozen area to release water vapor from melting ice.
• Apply heat to the frozen section using a hair dryer or heat lamp, or place a small space heater nearby.
• Do NOT use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe, as this could cause a steam explosion.

If you are unable to thaw the frozen pipes, consult a licensed plumber.

For more information on this subject, visit the City of New York’s online resources.