COLUMBIA, S.C. — With the coldest air of the season on the way, local experts are urging homeowners to take precautions to avoid costly pipe repairs.
Josh Daniels, owner of Franklin Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, said one of the simplest ways to prevent frozen pipes is to keep water flowing.
“Just drip the water, drip the water, drip the water,” Daniels advised. “If the dripping drives you crazy, get a sponge and put it underneath the faucet.”
Daniels said that prolonged cold temperatures can cause pipes in non-heated spaces or exterior walls to freeze, potentially leading to significant damage and repair costs.
Local suppliers are also gearing up for increased demand. At Capitol Supply Company, Vice President Rick McKissick said they expect more customers to come in for last-minute essentials like faucet covers and generator plugs.
“Faucet covers are probably one of the biggest items,” McKissick said. “They go real fast because they work. The faucet cover itself keeps the wind and cold off the faucet. 'Cause you can have the faucet freeze, and then once it freezes, it runs back into the water in the pipe that feeds the faucet and might have pipes break under the house, and you don't realize it until its too late."
McKissick also recommended having sand on hand to treat driveways in case of snow, noting it can be just as effective as salt.
If pipes do freeze you can use a hair dryer or portable heater to thaw them. However, for internal pipes, he recommends calling a licensed plumber to avoid further damage.