A recent 6ABC news post highlights the catastrophic impact of winter on homes in the coldest U.S. regions. Philadelphia has been experiencing “widespread plumbing problems” with frozen pipes bursting across the city.
“Residents from multiple neighborhoods said they woke up to flooded basements and no running water,” reads the report. Moreover, plumbers have been overwhelmed by demand for emergency repairs, citing “Frozen sewer lines, frozen water lines, (and) frozen sprinkler lines.”
Unprecedented Cold Risks
The article has words from people on the front lines of the cold snap. “Our region is built to handle freezing temps, but not freezing temps for as long as we’ve had them this year,” said master plumber Phillip Renninger.
Of course, Northeasterners are no strangers to cold periods, and the architecture and infrastructure are built to withstand them. Yet, the extended frigid conditions have been unprecedented in 2026, and they continue to astonish.
The Frozen Pipe Conundrum
A common feature of extended cold weather events is backed-up pipes, wherein the pipes freeze, blocking anything else from escaping. Naturally, there are many ways to mitigate this scenario, not least letting faucets drip.
The principle behind the dripping faucet method is encouraging water to keep moving, making it less likely to freeze. However, one must be careful to select the right temperature, according to a recent Hunker feature from Ryan Cashman on this subject. While keeping the cold running is necessary, even with insulated pipes, it may not be enough.
Lukewarm Water for the Win
It all depends on how well insulated your pipes are, because even the most covered pipes might not be as protected as you think. For instance, if those pipes run along long exterior walls, some warm water may be required to prevent disaster.
“This keeps both lines open and allows your hot water heater to continue to cycle and heat the water inside the pipes,” Cashman writes.
Furthermore, in the event there is a power outage and the hot water isn’t running, he also recommends keeping both running. “If you don’t want to worry about this at all, however, locate your main water shut-off and turn your water off to the home for the night,” he adds.
Detecting Frozen Pipes
Thankfully, there are signs to watch for to prevent freezing pipes from any unfortunate bursting, according to a Master Plumbing, Heating & Cooling guide.
Certain symptoms will appear on the pipes’ exterior, especially in the most vulnerable parts of the plumbing. The most obvious of these is ice forming on any pipe covering. Other signs that might indicate a frozen pipe include little or no water coming from faucets or an offensive sewage smell.
In addition, it is important to check the outside or colder points in the pipe network, such as garages, basements, and crawlspaces. “For instance, the faucet that connects to the hose…can freeze and let cold air inside the plumbing,” reads the post.
It certainly pays to be pipe-ready during this unpredictable winter weather.