DES MOINES, Iowa- The extreme cold temperatures this week are prompting some reminders from local plumbers about taking steps to prevent pipes from freezing.
Pat Miller of Holt Plumbing and Heating in Des Moines reminds homeowners to take some measures, if they have a kitchen, bathroom, or other plumbing next to an exterior wall.
He says doing so, could prevent a messy clean-up if pipes freeze and burst.Miller advises opening cabinet doors, and putting a small fan to push warm air under the sink. He says hot water pipes tend to freeze first, so he suggests leaving a small trickle of hot and cold weather running because it may help prevent a pipe freeze. He also notes, keeping the house warmer in general is a good idea, saying the utility bill may be higher, but it's still cheaper than the cost of repairs after pipes freeze and burst.
Miller also says if you know you have a frozen pipe and you have to leave the house, shut off the water at the main when you leave.
He says plumbers will likely start getting calls from homeowners when it starts to warm up again on the weekend, when frozen pipes start to thaw, and possibly burst.