Tips to prevent frozen pipes as temperatures dip below freezing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Follow these tips to prevent frozen pipes. On Tuesday night and Wednesday night it’s expected to be well below freezing.

“Whenever you have the 24 hours of the below freezing weather that’s when you start getting calls. We really haven’t had any frozen pipe calls this year. This is probably the chance we’re gonna have to get some,” South East Total Service Office and Construction Manager Samuel Jenkins said.

Little moves to protect your home could help prevent your pipes from freezing.

Jenkins said the most common mistake people make is not closing their garage door.

“Even a little crack for the cat to crawl in under will let cold air in and freeze up your pipes in your garage. The second most common thing people do is leave their crawl space vent or their crawl space door open. Keep those things closed,” Jenkins said.

Other preventative measures include using hose bib covers and opening cabinet doors.

He also suggested keeping your heat turned up and kitchen faucet on at night.

“Leave the hot side of your kitchen faucet running, a thin steady stream, not a drip and if you have a far extreme faucet, like in a far away bathroom leave that one running a steady steam, hot,” Jenkins said.

If your water isn’t running, Jenkins said go turn on all of the faucets in your house.

If nothing is running, it is best to call a plumber, immediately.

Jenkins said If pipes stay frozen for too long they may burst.