OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The Kansas City area is in a cold stretch with multiple days below freezing. With that in mind, your home is vulnerable to frozen pipes.
Experts say you should never turn your heat off, even when you are leaving the home. Turn your water on to a drip at night and open your cabinets.
Technicians at Bob Hamilton Plumbing say they are seeing more homes with smart technology for the cold.
“This time of year, the big talk is frozen pipes, but people don't realize the furnace is also a key component to keep you from frozen pipes. So keeping up with maintenance is key so that you don't have a break down in the dead of winter,” said Brad Weller with Bob Hamilton Plumbing.
Weller says there are ‘smart’ thermostats that notify you by message or app that your home is too cold.
“We also have thermostats that will actually send you an air code telling you your furnace is broke; you need to call a professional. So, having those smart technologies, smart thermostats are good for keeping your pipes from freezing,” said Weller.
He says if you do have frozen pipes, you should leave it to the experts to thaw the pipes.
Weller says if you do try to thaw them on your own, never use a flame.
“One thing you should not do is use an open flame such as a low propane torch or something like that," said Weller. "If you want to use a little space heater to blow in those cabinets you can do that, as long as you’re being safe.”
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