Preventing Frozen Pipes This Winter in Central New Jersey

Every winter, emergency calls spike across Middlesex, Somerset, and Monmouth Counties as temperatures plunge overnight. A single burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water into your home in minutes. The good news? Most frozen pipe disasters are preventable.

Why Central NJ Pipes Are Especially Vulnerable

Central New Jersey experiences a wide temperature swing—mild autumns followed by sudden Arctic blasts in January and February. Many homes in Edison, Old Bridge, and Bridgewater were built in the 1960s–80s with pipes in exterior walls or uninsulated crawl spaces, making them prime candidates for freezing.

The Top Risk Zones in Your Home

• Exterior walls: Pipes running along outer walls have minimal insulation buffer.

• Crawl spaces and basements: Unheated areas drop to outdoor temperatures quickly.

• Garage water supply lines: If you have a utility sink or hose bib in the garage, it's at risk.

• Attic pipes: Older homes sometimes route supply lines through attic spaces.

7 Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and available at any hardware store. Focus on pipes in crawl spaces, basements, and garage walls. For extra protection in extreme cold, use heat tape (also called heat cable) on the most vulnerable runs.

2. Keep Interior Heat Consistent

Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F—even when you're away. The cost of running your heat slightly higher is a fraction of the cost of water damage remediation.

3. Open Cabinet Doors Under Sinks

On nights when temperatures fall below 20°F, open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks along exterior walls. This allows warm household air to circulate around the pipes.

4. Let Faucets Drip

A slow drip from cold-water faucets on exterior walls relieves pressure buildup. Moving water is significantly harder to freeze than stagnant water.

5. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hose Bibs

Detach all garden hoses before the first freeze. Even frost-free hose bibs can freeze if a hose is left connected. Shut off the interior valve and drain the line.

6. Seal Air Leaks Near Pipes

Use caulk or spray foam to seal gaps around pipes where they pass through walls or floors, especially near dryer vents, windows, and electrical conduit entry points.

7. Know Where Your Main Shutoff Is

If a pipe does burst, you have seconds to limit the damage. Make sure every adult in the household knows where the main water shutoff valve is located.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out during cold weather, you likely have a frozen pipe. Here's what to do:

1. Keep the faucet open so water can flow once the pipe thaws.

2. Apply gentle heat: Use a hair dryer, electric heating pad, or warm towels. Never use an open flame.

3. Work from the faucet toward the frozen section—not the other way around.

4. Check for cracks: Even before full thawing, inspect visible pipe sections for splits.

If the Pipe Has Already Burst

Shut off the main water supply immediately. Then call a restoration professional. Water damage from burst pipes typically affects flooring, drywall, insulation, and subfloor within hours. The sooner remediation begins, the lower the risk of secondary mold growth.

Seven Wonders Pro Cleaning provides 24/7 emergency water damage response throughout Central NJ—including Edison, New Brunswick, Piscataway, Bridgewater, and surrounding areas. If you're dealing with a burst pipe, call us immediately at (732) 484-8970.

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