Plumbing experts raise caution to frozen pipes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- New Year’s Day looks like the next blast of cold weather for the Tennessee Valley… especially with the huge differences in weather across the News 12 Viewing area.

 “The people who live on these mountains around here are the most vulnerable. So it could be 40 degrees one day, and then the next day it could be below freezing temperatures. And if you did not take any necessary precautions, then you could be one of those people that end up with a problem,” said Coe Crawford with Rick Crawford Plumbing

 Coe Crawford believes it is vital to take care of frozen pipes BEFORE cold temperatures arrive.

 “If you don’t take care of it, you could have a bust, and a bust would lead to a major problem. And these problems cost a lot of money, and the last thing you want to do after spending all that Christmas money is have to pay damages or get left with with no water,” said Crawford. 

 Signs of frozen pipes can include Frost on the outside of the pipes, awful smell from your faucet or drain, and Low water flow. 

 Sean Crawford with Larry Crawford Plumbing, shares ways you can keep from dealing with frozen pipes. 

 “First thing is your hose bibs on the outside of the house put freeze caps on them, insulate any exposed piping. Winds are going to freeze the pipe more than the cold. So when it is cold, windy day, be sure garage doors are shut, especially if you have plumbing in the garage. If you are going out of town, turn the water off, drain the hose bibs, get the pressure off the house,” said Crawford. 

 On especially cold nights, experts suggest setting faucets on exterior walls to drip.

 And Sean Crawford says keeping heat inside your home will also do the trick.  

“Open your cabinet doors especially on outside walls especially if your cabin is on the outside walls, let the heat in. That is the main thing. Try to keep the wind and keep as much heat on the pipes,” Crawford concluded.