21 January 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Even with temperatures warming up this week, the recent cold snap could have lingering effects on your plumbing.
Nick McCart, plumbing supervisor at Blue Dot Heating, Air, Plumbing and Electrical, tells 27 News his team often sees an increase in pipe damages after a cold snap. He says warmer weather thaws out water pipes, revealing breaks and leaks that could have been hidden by ice.
“Things that have been frozen for the last couple days that customers didn’t know were frozen, like basement bathrooms, bathrooms they haven’t used,” McCart said. “And once it warms up here on Monday, all those frozen lines that are broke will start spraying water.”
Blue Dot technicians, according to McCart, have repaired pipes at over 70 Topeka homes in the last week alone. However, McCart says there are ways homeowners can avoid such damages.
Running water through sinks and showers for several minutes is one way to keep pipes from freezing, because McCart says, moving water doesn’t freeze as easily. Using hot water to flush lines is recommended. He also recommends flushing toilets frequently and leaving cabinet doors open to let in warm air.
The biggest thing, McCart says, is knowing how to use the water main shut-off in your home. In the event of a busted pipe, it’s important to know where the shutoff is, how to get to it, and how to turn it off.
McCart says this will help prevent as much damage as possible before a technician is available to make repairs.
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