Bitter cold temperatures can spell out disaster for your home - frozen plumbing lines, burst pipes and water damage.
The Better Business Bureau has some tips to follow to prevent the stress and the expensive repairs.
- Wrap all exposed pipes that are in unheated areas.
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets.
- Cover the vents around the foundation of your home.
- Let outside faucets drip 24 hours a day (about five drips per minute).
- Shut off the water to any washing machines in unheated garages.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to outside walls to allow heat in.
If the worst happens and the pipes freeze and burst:
- Cut off the water valve. Call your water provider if you don’t know where the valve is.
- Call your insurance agent and file a claim.
- Take pictures.
- Wet items should be thrown away or thoroughly dried within 48 hours of the flooding to prevent mold.
If you need a plumber:
- Be wary of plumbers who show up unsolicited making offers.
- Beware of price gouging. Some businesses mark up their products by as much as 500 percent due to high demand of plumbing services in cold weather.
- Shop around. Get competitive bids and check references and licensing requirements.
- Check with BBB for a credible business.
- Request a written contract detailing all services, materials, and labor. Make sure the plumber signs it.
- Never pay for anything in advance or with cash.
See more at the Better Business Bureau website.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at sarah.plake@kshb.com.
