PITTSBURGH — Plumbing companies are preparing for a spike in calls about frozen and burst pipes as cold weather sets in. Southside Plumbing & Heating is already responding to requests, with one call this week involving a frozen water line on South 18th Street.
Jake Kicinski with Southside Plumbing explained that thawing pipes can be tricky, especially if the pipes are plastic, as electrical charges used to melt ice in metal pipes won’t work on nonmetallic piping.
“We can’t always thaw the piping if it’s plastic, because we can’t send our electrical charge through there to melt the ice,” Kicinski said.
With a deep freeze expected early next week, plumbing companies are bracing for a surge in service calls.
“We’re preparing to handle the demand of what’s coming,” Kicinski added.
To prevent burst pipes, experts recommend a few simple steps. Homeowners should keep faucets open to allow a steady flow of water, especially during extremely cold temperatures. It’s also important to ensure that heat circulates throughout the home and to use space heaters near any exposed pipes.
For pipes located on exterior walls, the best course of action is to keep the water running, even if it’s just a small amount.
“If you do have a situation where a pipe bursts and you have active water leaking everywhere, you need to shut the water off, which is generally in your basement or a meter pit outside your house,” Kicinski said.
Another common issue is homeowners forgetting to disconnect hoses from outdoor faucets. This can lead to frozen and burst pipes, which can cause significant damage.
Make sure to shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain any remaining water after detaching the hoses.
By taking these preventive measures, homeowners can help avoid costly plumbing problems when the temperature drops.
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