Our coldest nights routinely hit -10°F, and the calls come in waves. Most burst pipes in the Capital Region happen in the same four places: exterior walls, crawl spaces, unheated garages, and the hose bib.
Prevention that actually works
Disconnect and drain garden hoses before the first freeze. Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and along exterior walls. Keep the house above 55°F even when away. On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let a pencil-thin trickle run from the furthest fixture.
If a pipe freezes but hasn't burst
Shut off the main first, then thaw slowly with a hair dryer or heat lamp working from the fixture back toward the frozen section. Never use a torch — that's how house fires start.
If a pipe bursts
Shut the main immediately. Open faucets to relieve pressure. Kill power to any circuit near standing water at the breaker. Then call. We answer 24/7 at (518) 310-4909.
Photograph everything before cleanup for your insurance claim.
Repair vs. repipe
A single burst in an accessible spot is a straightforward repair. But if you have galvanized supply lines from the 1950s and they've burst more than once, a PEX repipe is usually the cheaper path over five years.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is my main water shutoff?
- Usually in the basement on the street-facing wall, near the water meter. Find it and tag it before winter.
- Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?
- Sudden bursts are typically covered; damage from long-term leaks usually is not. Document immediately.
