RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The arctic blast hitting central North Carolina is starting to wreak havoc on pipes. Plumbers are responding to several calls for frozen pipes and leaks.
"When it sustains and constantly well below freezing, we definitely start seeing a lot of pipes get frozen, a lot of no water calls," Michael & Son technician Ryan Disorbo said.
Disorbo said the company is getting several calls a day. On Thursday, he responded to a leaking valve in a garage in South Raleigh, but a small leak could be the least of your problems with a frozen pipe.
"Water damage is one," he said. "Water's pressurized, so it's going to keep leaking or spewing until you turn the water off."
Disorbo said preventing the issue is ideal.
"[If] you have plumbing in the garage, in the attic, anything outside, anything that's subject to cold temperatures, you want to have it insulated," he said.
Disorbo also said people should disconnect hoses if they are not using them and getting frost-free faucets is a smart idea.
"We install them regularly around here," he said. "Some of the older homes don't come with them."
Disorbo said it is also a good idea to keep at least one tap running during cold weather and keep an eye out for signs there might be a problem.
"No water or very low water pressure, you start noticing a wet spot somewhere," he said. "That's a big red flag."
Disorbo added an unusually water high bill could indicate there is a leak.