How do I winterize my outdoor faucet (hose bib) in New Jersey?

Disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. Close the indoor shutoff valve that supplies the outdoor faucet, then open the outside faucet so the water drains, and leave it open so any water left in the pipe can expand without breaking it. This is the American Red Cross's recommended method.

What temperature should I keep my house at to prevent frozen pipes?

New Jersey American Water and the American Red Cross both say that if you'll be away in cold weather, keep the heat on and set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The Red Cross also suggests keeping the same thermostat setting day and night during very cold weather.

Should I let my faucets drip in a freeze?

Yes, for faucets served by pipes that are prone to freezing. New Jersey American Water recommends letting a small trickle run overnight when temperatures stay below freezing, and notes the cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

What should I do if my pipes freeze?

Shut off the main water valve first. Then warm the frozen section with a hair dryer, electric heating pad, space heater kept away from anything flammable, or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a torch, open flame, kerosene or propane heater. Once thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks. If you can't find or reach the frozen section, call a licensed plumber.

Will New Jersey American Water thaw my frozen pipe or meter?

No. New Jersey American Water says it does not thaw frozen meters or service lines, and that property owners are responsible for the water service line from the curb to the house as well as all piping inside. For a water emergency on the company's side, its 24/7 number is 1-800-272-1325.

Does homeowners insurance cover a burst frozen pipe in NJ?

Often, if you took reasonable steps to prevent freezing. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says policies cover sudden and accidental discharges from plumbing, but generally require you to keep the home at a minimum temperature or shut off the water if the home is vacant, and that damage may not be covered if the insurer finds you neglected those steps. Check your own policy.

Frozen Pipes in Linden, NJ: How to Winterize Now and What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

Name: Linden Plumbing Connect
Address: Linden, NJ, 07036, US
Telephone: +13475488487
Price range: Free referral

Updated October 21, 2026 · For Linden, NJ 07036 and nearby Union County towns served by New Jersey American Water

Short answer: Do three things before the first hard freeze: (1) shut off and drain your outdoor hose bibs, (2) insulate pipes in cold spots like crawl spaces, garages and outside walls, and (3) find, test and tag your main water shutoff. If a pipe does freeze, shut off the water first, then thaw it with gentle heat, never an open flame. New Jersey American Water, which serves Linden, says it does not thaw frozen meters or service lines, so the pipes from the curb into your house are on you.

Late-October checklist (do it this weekend)

Outdoor faucets (hose bibs): disconnect, drain and store garden hoses. Close the indoor valve that feeds each outdoor faucet, open the outdoor faucet to let it drain, and leave it open so leftover water can expand without splitting the pipe.
Sprinkler or irrigation system: turn it off and fully drain it, following the manufacturer's or installer's directions. Don't put antifreeze in these lines unless directed.
Find your freezing points: pipes in crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages, attics, kitchen and bath cabinets on outside walls, and where the water line comes through the foundation.
Insulate: wrap exposed pipes with foam pipe sleeves or UL-listed heat tape or heat cable. Seal drafts near water lines: close off crawl space vents, fix drafty windows and plug gaps around doors.
Find and test the main shutoff: it's usually near the water meter or where the water pipe enters the house. Close it slowly (a ball valve usually takes a quarter turn; a gate valve turns clockwise), then check that no faucet runs. If it won't close easily, have it serviced now, not during an emergency. Hang a tag on it.
Outside meter pit? Keep the lid closed tightly, and in winter let snow cover it: snow acts as insulation.

During a cold snap

Let a small trickle run overnight from faucets fed by pipes that tend to freeze. You can catch it in a container and use it for plants.
Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so room heat reaches the pipes. Move cleaners out of children's reach.
Keep the thermostat steady day and night instead of turning it down overnight.
Keep the garage door closed if water lines run through the garage.
Going away? Leave the heat on at no lower than 55°F, ask someone to check the house, and consider a freeze alarm that calls your phone if the inside temperature drops below 45°F.

If a pipe freezes: step by step

Signs: you open a faucet and only a trickle comes out, or nothing. Frost on an exposed pipe is another clue.

Shut off the main water valve. Don't try to thaw a pipe with the water on: freezing can crack pipes or joints, and the leak shows up as soon as the ice melts.
Open the faucet that the frozen pipe feeds, so melting water has somewhere to go.
Apply gentle heat to the frozen section: a hair dryer, an electric heating pad, a space heater kept away from anything flammable (never left unattended), or towels soaked in hot water.
Never use a blowtorch, propane or kerosene heater, charcoal stove or any open flame.
Turn the water back on slowly once it's thawed, and check pipes and joints for cracks and leaks.
Check other faucets. If one pipe froze, others may have too.
Call a licensed plumber if you can't find the frozen spot, can't reach it (inside a wall or ceiling), can't thaw it, or a pipe has split.

If a pipe bursts

Shut off the main valve immediately. If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, stay out of the water and keep away from electricity.
Open a low faucet to drain the remaining water out of the lines.
Take photos and video of the damage, then call your homeowners insurer.
Call a plumber to repair the pipe and a water-damage company if walls, floors or ceilings got wet.

Who is responsible for what in Linden

Who	What they handle	Contact
New Jersey American Water (Linden's water utility)	Its water mains and its side of the system. Says it does not thaw frozen meters or service lines.	24/7 emergencies: 1-800-272-1325
You, the property owner	The water service line from the curb to the house, plus all piping inside, including outdoor faucets.	A licensed NJ plumber
Your landlord (buildings with 3 or more units)	Heat. NJ rules for multiple dwellings require at least 68°F from 6 am to 11 pm and 65°F from 11 pm to 6 am, October 1 to May 15.	Your landlord or building manager

Not sure who your water utility is? Check your water bill. Some nearby towns use a different supplier.

Insurance: what NJ homeowners should know

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, homeowners policies cover damage from a "sudden and accidental" discharge from plumbing, and often cover water damage when frozen pipes burst, if you took reasonable steps to prevent freezing. Policies generally require you to keep the home at a minimum temperature, or shut off the water if the home is vacant. If the insurer decides you neglected those steps, the damage may not be covered. Read your policy before a cold snap, especially for a vacant or seasonal property.

Permits: usually not for a quick repair

Under New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7), ordinary plumbing maintenance, which needs no permit, includes repairing leaks that involve replacing piping and replacing hose bib valves. A replacement hose bib must have an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker. Larger work, such as replacing whole runs of pipe, can be "minor work" that needs notice, a permit and an inspection. See our NJ permit guide for how that works, and check with the Linden Construction Code Office at (908) 474-8460.

Frequently asked questions

When should I winterize my outdoor faucet in Linden?

Before the first hard freeze. Late October and early November is a sensible time to disconnect hoses, close the indoor shutoff and drain the outside faucet. Watch the forecast for overnight lows below freezing.

Can I use a space heater to thaw a pipe?

Yes, if you keep it away from flammable materials and never leave it unattended. Do not use kerosene or propane heaters or any open flame.

Will the water company thaw my meter?

New Jersey American Water says it does not thaw frozen meters or service lines. Call a licensed plumber.

Is letting a faucet drip worth the water cost?

New Jersey American Water says the cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

Sources

This guide is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Follow your utility's and insurer's instructions.

Frozen or burst pipe in Linden right now? Shut off the main valve, then call (347) 548-8487, our 24/7 line, and we'll work to connect you with an independent local plumber. Emergency plumber details · Leak and pipe repair.

Linden Plumbing Connect is a free referral and matching service. We are not a plumbing contractor and do not perform plumbing work. When you call or submit a request, we connect you with an independent local plumbing provider. Always confirm the provider's NJ Master Plumber license number, insurance, and written estimate before work begins.