Below freezing temperatures are here and it doesn’t look like they are leaving anytime soon. This week, Go Green Plumbing has received hundreds of calls from all over the Triad to repair frozen pipes. While there is no guarantee that you can protect pipes 100 percent, there are definitely things that you can do to help. To that end, Go Green Plumbing has put together a few practical tips to help you protect your pipes as best as possible.
- Leave cabinet doors that have any plumbing in them open.
- Leave all bathroom doors open.
- If you have a well, make sure there is pipe insulation wrapped around the pipes to the well head, even if it’s under an insulated rock. If you do not have or cannot get pipe insulation, use blankets for now and insulate later.
- If you have very poorly insulated walls and pipes that are on the exterior, or if the kitchen sink or shower valve is on outside wall, place a space heater pointing at those areas. If you do not have a space heater, set your alarm to wake up at least every three hours to run the water in those fixtures until the water runs hot.
- Make sure that all hoses are disconnected from your house.
- If you wake up and have frozen pipes, turn on the fixture farthest away from the water heater.
- Washing machine hoses and ice maker hose freeze often. Turning off the valve to those hoses while the weather is freezing can prevent a hose from bursting.
If you do need a plumber, make sure you read reviews and make sure they are reputable. Check Google, BBB, Yelp and Facebook. Make sure they are insured, licensed, bonded, etc. Yes, this will cost you more upfront, but it will save you thousands in the long run. Unfortunately, in a crisis, there are many people willing to take advantage of others at a time of need.
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Have more questions? Call us—we’d love to help! Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day. If water runs through it – We Do It!
