Have Frozen Pipes? You Might Have to Call a Plumber

When bitter cold sets in like this, it's not uncommon for pipes to freeze.

We've been pushing out tips for prevention, but sometimes freezing occurs because home plumbing is above the frost line or pipes are near drafty basement windows. We're getting calls from some customers without water — but there's no water main break or other apparent issue in their area.

If this is happening to you, check with your neighbor and see if they have water. If the problem is isolated to your house, there's a good chance frozen pipes are to blame. If this happens:

• Do not apply direct heat to the pipes. If your pipes freeze, use a space heater or hair dryer to heat the area around your meter and pipes.

• Make sure the faucet is turned on so melting water can drip out

While we know frozen pipes can be a nightmare, we can't fix or unfreeze homeowners' pipes. If all else fails, you may need to hire a licensed and registered plumber.

Read over our cold weather tips to learn more about what to do when pipes freeze and to find out how you can prevent them next time harsh temperatures overstay their welcome.

If the pipes in your home burst after freezing, find your water meter and house-side shutoff valve and turn the water off quickly to avoid as much flooding as possible: