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Residents Battle Frozen Pipes During Cold Temperatures

by KREX News Room
by John Dias

Story Created: Jan 3, 2013 at 7:50 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 3, 2013 at 7:50 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- As we head further into this cold, winter season, officials are warning of problems that could arise with plumbing.

It could be a lack on installation in some homes, or maybe someone's pipes sit on the shady side of the house. Either way, officials see an increase in both pipes freezing and added expenses to have them fixed during this time of the year.

“We have seen quite a bit more calls for frozen pipes,” said John Burwell Jr., general manager of Peterson Plumbing.

Burwell says during these sub zero temperatures we've been experiencing, their phones have been ringing off the hook. Most of which are residents on the other side, who are facing unnecessary headaches from frozen plumbing.

“People's heating systems aren't working properly because they have to work harder right now,” said Burwell.

Officials say one of the reason why pipes freeze, is because people are accidently leaving their garage doors open.

Something Jordan Alegria is all too familiar with.

“I came home to a steamy garage door, garage completely full of water and my house completely flooded,” said Alegria.

After leaving his garage door open, Algeria’s pipes had frozen over night. When he turned on his hot water, too much heat rushed the pipes, causing them to burst.

“From there it was just a matter of cleaning it up and getting the right people out there to fix the pipes,” said Alegria.

Employees at Ute Water say if this were to happen to you, there is one thing to keep in mind.

“It’s important everyone in your house knows where that main shut off valve is located,” said Joe Burtard of Ute Water. “Mark it with a tag and that way if a water line does break, you can shut it off and it saves you costly repairs in flooding.”

“If you know you have had problems in the past or your living in an old home and your worried about it, you can crack your faucet and let that water run,” said Burwell. “That water won’t freeze as it runs.”

Experts say to also leave your cabinets doors open, and turn the heat up higher than usual so you can get air to circulate and keep things warm.

Another thing to have in mind is keeping those meter pits covered at all times. Officials say if the lid comes off, it exposes the meter to freezing conditions. Clearing, leading to more harm then needed.

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