Protect pipes during cold weather

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Large or small, a burst pipe can leave behind an expensive mess.

Heading into the colder months, experts said there are steps homeowners can take now to prevent pipes from freezing.

Lee Amos is the President and CEO of Master Plumbers Heating & Cooling in Greensboro.

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He said his company starts to see a lot of frozen pipes and failing water heaters this time of year.

According to Amos, the average expense of a pipe burst is roughly $10,000.

“If left untreated without knowledge it can cause a lot of other issues, fungus, and things to grow inside of your home, but it can cause a lot of sicknesses and illnesses, a lot of health issues for folks,” Amos explained.

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With temperatures up and down over the next week, Amos said it’s a good idea to have a professional make sure pipes are insulated properly.

“It does have an impact,” Amos said.

“Groundwater temperature does change a little bit and that’s when it really does shock a lot of your appliances, your water heaters, and things like that.”

WAYS TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES:

• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors
• Keep a constant temperature inside the home during the day and at night
• Close foundation vents
• Let faucets drip overnight
• Disconnect garden hose from outdoor faucets