Experts Warn Extreme Cold Could Freeze, Burst Pipes

WESTBURY, LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The cold weather was causing problems Thursday for people not just outdoors, but indoors too.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, among the busiest workers Thursday were heating and plumbing companies, answering the call of homeowners who found icy winter temperatures indoors.

Lucy Creed was hoping her fireplace would warm up her Westbury, Long Island home, where it was just over 50 degrees inside and getting colder Thursday.

"I'm freezing," Creed said. "My hands – you can see – they're wrinkled, and they are like ice."

Even worse, when Creed turned on the shower, no water came out.

"When it happened this morning, it was like, 'Oh no, not again,'" she said.

Indeed it was not the first time winter has socked Creed with a one-two punch -- boiler problems along with frozen pipes keeping plumbers working overtime. Gramman Plumbing and Heating of Carle Place was getting to everyone as quickly as possible, because as John from Garden City knows well, no heat on a brutal cold day like Thursday was brutal.

"You know when the heat is working properly and when it's not, so you call early in the morning as soon as you see that it's not working properly," John said.

Experts said annual boiler maintenance is key.

"When it's very cold, the boiler is really straining. It's like your car going 100 miles an hour versus, you know, just the regular 55 on the highway," said Joseph Housel of Gramman Plumbing and Heating.

Experts also advised keeping exterior wall taps dripping -- something Creed regretted that she forgot to do.

"Remember to put the water on when the temperatures are going to be below freezing. Let it drip," Creed said.

Last winter, frozen pipes burst a hole in Creed's ceiling. This time, an electrical current was sent through the frozen pipe to get the water flowing again.

"Generally, it will freeze and burst, you know, if it's frozen a while," said John Bonifer of Gramman Plumbing and Heating. "We try to defrost it before it bursts."

The Long Island Oil Heat Institute recommended setting your thermostat a little higher on the coldest days. Standing Water in pipes can start freezing after only 20 minutes, so higher temperatures in the house will keep water flowing.

It will cost less in the long run, experts said.

But if a pipe does burst, know where to turn off your water main quickly, and get ahead of the bitter cold with insulation. Experts advised placing insulation in areas that are a little too cold between joists and walls.

The Oil Heat Institute also advised that if you have oil heat, but you are not on regular automatic delivery, you should check your oil gauge and schedule a delivery if there is less than half a tank.

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