It's a homeowner's worst nightmare this time of year.

They wake up in the morning to go turn their shower or sink on, only to realize they have no water.It's a scenario many homeowners have been forced to face during this recent string of subzero temperatures.JoAnne Lichtenwalner of Palmerton reported her drain pipe for the washer froze. She poured hot water down the drain and that cleared it up, she posted on the Times News Facebook page.Kelly Bauer bought a space heater to remedy her problem.Larissa Barachie reported in, "I was always told to run hot water every few hours when temps were expected to drop. Keep the water flowing."Susie Kane Semuta said, "My main line is frozen outside, underground from a hole an animal dug. Can't get to it! Help!!"Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing, according to the American Red Cross.Water expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes.No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.Andreas Plumbing, Heating and AC in Lehighton has fielded its share of calls as of late from homeowners who have frozen pipes.Preventive maintenance is the biggest key, according to employee Steve Mundinger."A lot of frozen pipes that have been split, broken," Mundinger said. "The best thing you can do is put heat tape on them, let the water run to defrost."Mundinger suggested using a pipe-thawing machine, heated blanket, or to put an electric heater on where the pipes are frozen.However, Mundinger cautioned not to use a blowtorch, or anything with a flame."Put heat tape on, insulate your piping, keep it well-insulated, and you shouldn't have a problem," he said. "It's common sense, really."The Red Cross has the following suggestions:Preventing Frozen Pipes:• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe even at a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing.• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.Thawing Frozen Pipes:• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.