Avoid busted pipes, expensive repairs from frigid temperatures

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Frigid temperatures can not only harm individuals outside too long, they can also severely damage your home.

Homeowners and renters need to be aware of their pipes, and keep them from freezing or bursting to avoid major and expensive repairs.

“It's actually a huge mess, because if an exterior pipe breaks, the problem is, as it goes outside it's actually going to go in the home too,” said plumber Kevin Corkins with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. “So hardwoods get ruined, carpets get ruined, furniture gets ruined, cabinets, it is a very very bad situation.”

Corkins said his company is open throughout the night to repair pipes.

“Yeah, the call volume has definitely picked up,” Corkins said. “We are 24/7, so they are coming in at all hours of the night.”

Experts said there are simple fixes to prevent pipe problems.

First, cover any outdoor spigots with a towel and duct tape, or a cover from a hardware store.

“This is a great entry point to make sure you have protected pipes,” said Tiffany Phillips, project manager at Henderson Properties.

"One of the things is definitely leaving your cabinets open if your kitchen sink or your vanity is against an exterior wall of a house, keep those doors open so that the heat can get in there and keep those pipes warm,” Corkins said.

Experts also recommend filling any cracks in windows and doors and keeping the thermostat above 65 degrees.

“Some of the other things we recommend is that you insulate your pipes if you have a crawl space,” Phillips said.

If it’s really cold, experts suggest leaving the faucets running so the water is moving.

“Prevention will save you a lot of money on your insurance, your home, your investment properties, everything,” Phillips said.

Cox Media Group