WASHINGTON — The cold snap that has a tight grip on the D.C. region is causing pipes to freeze and burst every day.

That is always an inconvenience for utility customers, but many of them are running into the added inconvenience of not knowing exactly who they should call for help.

“If you do have a frozen pipe and it breaks on your property, you should call a licensed plumber to make the repairs,” says Lyn Riggins, spokeswoman for Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

WSSC has been flooded with calls from customers who wait on the phone for help, only to be told they need to contact someone else.

The utility company will not respond in cases that involve pipes on personal property, such as those inside a home or business.

“WSSC maintains the water lines and the connections in the street and up to the property line,” Riggins says.

Customers are urged to contact WSSC only if they suspect a problem with water mains on public property.