Burst or frozen pipes: Here's how Long Islanders can avoid that headache as temperatures finally rise

After weeks of subfreezing temperatures, many Long Island homeowners have had to cope with burst or frozen pipes. Temperatures should rise this week, but the thaw could bring another set of problems.

As the mercury goes up and down, pipes expand, contract and sometimes burst.

Experts say prevention is key, along with fixing problems permanently when they occur.

“If you survived this storm, you’re probably doing pretty good,” said Richard Kern, director of operations at Liberty Utilities New York Water, which serves 125,000 customers on Long Island. “When pipes freeze, we try to find out why and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

What causes pipes to freeze?

Water in pipes can freeze in cold weather when they are in areas that are not heated or when they are generally not used, experts said.

The National Weather Service urges residents to check their pipes during extreme temperatures. Pipes at risk are most often found in garages, basements, crawl spaces, and in kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

The icy temperatures can cause a loss of water service or a flooded mess when pipes burst.

“Water is unique when it freezes because it expands,” Kern said. “Water has no place to go in wall piping and it’s so powerful it breaks the pipe open. The pipe is not strong enough . . . [and] wherever the weak spot is . . . it succumbs to internal pressure.”

The same deep freeze can cause water mains to burst, causing multiple homes to lose water service, Kern said.

What do you do when pipes are frozen?

If pipes are frozen, homeowners should turn on the faucet and it will eventually drip as the pipes are thawed, according to the weather service. Pipes can be warmed with a hair dryer, heating pad or a cloth soaked in hot water until water pressure returns.

All pipes, including metal, polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene pipes, are subject to freezing. PVC pipes can be more brittle and subject to bursting, while HDPE may be slightly more forgiving, Kern said.

If a pipe bursts, experts suggest calling a plumber and their water company to identify weak spots and areas that need to be better insulated or heated.

“The colder it is outside, the less heat from the house can keep spaces warm,” Kern said. “Wind increases the amount of heat lost outside. Some spaces get colder and colder and lose heat and pipes freeze behind walls.”

What about when the weather warms up?

Water officials said they may see more calls for burst pipes during the coming week as frozen pipes thaw, causing them to burst. One area where pipes burst during a thaw is in commercial fire sprinkler systems.

Some homeowners and businesses may not know pipes are frozen in sprinkler systems or vacation properties until they thaw and pipes burst.

Another issue is ice damming, when a ridge of ice on the roof prevents melting snow from going down rain gutters and it instead enters the home through a wall or ceiling. Experts say you should remove the snow from the roof, but consult a professional about how to avoid future leakage.

How do you prevent frozen pipes?

Experts advise keeping pipes heated whenever possible, including keeping thermostats to at least 70 degrees, including in basements and in homes when gone overnight or for extended periods of time.

Pipes in unheated areas, such as garages or outdoors, can be covered in foam insulation. Water to outdoor pipes should be turned off from valves inside the house and then the outdoor faucet should be opened to release any remaining water before it is covered.

In freezing temperatures, water should be run periodically, including hot water, and rarely used toilets should be flushed, and rarely used showers should occasionally be allowed to run. Cabinet doors can also be left open to expose pipes to heat from the rest of the house.

“Outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems are the most common source of winter pipe breaks,” the Suffolk County Water Authority advises. “Ensure all exterior water lines are shut off and drained before the first hard freeze.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.