Leaky pipes are a hassle any time of year, but in frigid winter weather, frozen pipes can cause major and costly damage. As temperatures plunge, plumbing experts are urging homeowners to take preventive action before a minor issue becomes a full-blown emergency.

According to Robert Gildersleve, general manager at Petri Plumbing, older homes are especially vulnerable to frozen pipes.

“Most New York City homes are very old, with very poor insulation,” he explains. “You're going to have a frozen pipe as far back as it goes, and it can spread to other places as well.”

Petri Plumbing crews say they receive nearly 30 calls per day when temperatures dip below freezing, prompting them to share simple steps homeowners can take to protect their property.

One of the first reminders - shut off what you can.

“Any shut-off valves that you have for the pipes, you're going to want to shut that down so that the water doesn't continue to flow through that pipe that's stopped,” Gildersleve advises.

But pipes themselves aren’t the only concern. A home’s boiler system can also contribute to backups or freezing if not properly maintained.

“Things to maintain are definitely the boiler compartment,” says Dylan Blouin, installation manager at Petri Plumbing. “Make sure it self-fires and it's able to move the water throughout the house to keep your pipes from freezing.”

Some homeowners may try to save on heating costs by lowering the thermostat. But Blouin cautions against letting it drop too far.

“You don't want it to be anything lower than 65, even if you're going on vacation,” he says. “And make sure your system is working and the battery is changed.”

The overall message from the experts is simple - routine care matters.

“The same way you get checkups every few years on your body, you have to do the same for your home,” says plumbing dispatcher Bernadin Decena. “You gotta protect it.”

With temperatures plunging, a quick inspection of your pipes and heating system could be the difference between winter comfort and costly catastrophe.