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Burst or frozen pipe in NYC: stop the damage, then fix it right

NYC pipes freeze in the same places every winter: basements, crawl spaces, garages, exterior walls and kitchen sinks on outside walls. When a frozen pipe splits, it often doesn't leak until it thaws. Here's how to handle both stages.

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Emergency? Gas smell, CO alarm, fire, sparking or flooding: get to safety and call 911 first.

If a pipe has burst

1. Close the main water shutoff (usually near the water meter where the line enters the house). Turn clockwise.
2. Stay out of standing water near outlets or appliances. Shut off power at the panel only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry.
3. Open a faucet to drain the lines, move belongings, and take photos and video for insurance.
4. Call a licensed plumber. DEP says that when a service line or pipe freezes and breaks, it's the homeowner's responsibility to have repairs made by a licensed master plumber.

If a pipe is frozen but not leaking yet

• Open a faucet near the frozen spot so melting ice and vapor have somewhere to go.
• Warm the pipe with a hair dryer or heat lamp, or put a small space heater nearby (never unattended, and plugged straight into the wall).
• Never use an open flame. DEP warns it's a fire hazard and can cause a steam explosion.
• If you can't thaw it, call a licensed master plumber. If your water meter is damaged by the cold, contact 311.

Prevent it next time (DEP's list)

• Fix broken or cracked basement windows, doors and walls, and add storm windows to basement windows.
• Eliminate drafts in crawl spaces and insulate outside walls.
• Turn off the water to outdoor faucets, remove hoses and drain the pipes before the first freeze.
• Insulate exposed pipes and the meter, especially in an unheated garage.
• If pipes run through a closed cabinet on an outside wall, open the cabinet so warm air reaches them.
• Going away? Have someone run a faucet periodically.

Who pays

DEP is clear that homeowners are responsible for protecting their pipes and water meters from freezing. If a meter freezes and breaks because reasonable steps weren't taken, DEP repairs or replaces it and bills the homeowner. Check your homeowners policy for water damage coverage, and document everything before cleanup.

Questions

Sources

• NYC DEP: Protect Your Pipes from Freezing
• NYC Buildings: Utility (gas) Service Restoration

Rules and phone numbers can change. Check the official source before relying on them.

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• Need an emergency plumber in Queens? Do this first
• Drafty windows in NYC: weatherproofing that actually helps
• Leak under the sink in Manhattan: find it, stop it, get it fixed
• All NYC home repair guides