Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your New York Home This Winter

As seasoned professionals in the Property Management industry, every winter we work to avoid this plumbing pattern: The temperature drops below freezing, pipes freeze and thaw, then boom…a pipe bursts! Homeowners, shareholders, and residents can use this guide to help prevent frozen pipes this winter.

Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

The Importance of Preventing Pipes In Your Home From Freezing
Cold weather can wreak havoc on plumbing and create major headaches for individual homeowners and sometimes an entire Cooperative, Condominium, or Homeowners Association. Frozen pipes can create leaks, floods, and costly damage.

Prevent Pipes From Freezing In Your Kitchen or Bathroom

Is your kitchen or bathroom located on an exterior wall of your home? If so, leave your cabinet doors open. This will allow the heat in your home to travel throughout your home and to your exterior walls. Open cabinet doors so that the heat can reach your pipes under your sink and in your walls.

How to Tell When a Pipe in Your Home is Frozen

If water is not coming out of your faucets, and it is freezing outside, your pipes may be frozen. Therefore, you will likely need to contact a plumber immediately.

Cold Weather Tips for Your Home

• If the weather forecast says that the temperature will drop below freezing (32°F), leave your faucets running slightly. The flow of water may help to reduce the chance of a pipe freezing and bursting.
  
• Be sure to keep your thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night, even when you are not home. Additionally, make sure your thermostat is set to no less than 55°F in the winter when you are not home for an extended period of time.
  
• Keep interior doors open in your home to allow heat to circulate between the rooms in your Cooperative, Condominium, or Homeowner’s Association unit.
  
• If you suspect that a pipe is frozen, do not wait to address it. Contact a plumber immediately, as damage from a thawed pipe can potentially be substantial.
  
• Snowbirds who leave their New York home for the winter should keep these tips in mind before they leave for the season.

Who is Responsible for Repairs/Maintenance?

You may be responsible for the maintenance or repair of your plumbing. This will depend on the type of community or home you live in. If you live in a co-op, condo, or HOA, your governing documents will inform you of your responsibilities as a homeowner or shareholder.

Additional Winter Resources

For additional cold-weather tips, visit the Winter section of our blog.

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