Dripping faucets when cold: How to prepare for this Arctic blast in Georgia

Does dripping faucets work?

A little bit higher water bill will save you a huge repair bill, according to Georgia plumbers. Why dripping your faucet works and other things you need to do ahead of this winter storm.

ATLANTA - Dangerously cold temperatures arrived in north Georgia on Monday, not just ushering in the chance of snow, but also the threat of frozen pipes and pipe bursts.

So, what is the best way to prevent having to pay for this bout of freezing weather? David Cunningham of Superior Plumbing offers some advice.

Dripping faucet for cold weather

What we know:

Keep a slow trickle of water running through your faucets overnight. That extra water bill for the month may be a lot cheaper than a bill to repair a pipe, or worse.

Leave your heat running, even when you are not at home.

Open up any cabinets and room doors to allow the heat to flow through the house freely.

"This allows for some of that warm air from the room to get in and help to insulate help heat up those pipes," said Cunningham.

Ask a plumber about insulation around your pipes to keep them warm during icy weather.

Don't forget the outdoor hose

What they're saying:

Then it's time to head outdoors. If you have a hose outside, find the shut off valve in your house and turn it off. Then unhook the hose and let all the water drain out and cover the spigot to shield it from the cold temps. If you don't have a cover for it, use whatever you can find.

"We've seen scarves, towels, stuff like that wrapped around and maybe taped to hold it on there temporarily," said Cunningham.

With the cold and the wind, Cunningham says they're preparing for plenty of pipes that just can't handle the conditions.

"We've brought in some extra material, getting those out to the trucks and in the field, as well as putting our guys on alert," said Cunningham.

All of these steps only take a few minutes to do. Even if you don't think it's going to get that cold, Cunningham says don't risk it

Should you drip hot or cold water?

Dig deeper:

To prevent pipes from freezing during cold weather, it's advisable to let both hot and cold water faucets drip. This practice keeps water moving through the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.

"You don't need much, but the biggest key is to make sure that you're running on the hot and the cold sides. You want water running through both sets of pipes," said Cunningham.

For single-handle faucets, set them to allow a mix of hot and cold water to drip.

Additionally, focus on faucets connected to pipes in unheated or exposed areas, such as those along exterior walls, basements, garages, attics, or crawl spaces.

Are my water pipes frozen?

Why you should care:

Did you wake up without water? Gently check the faucets on the kitchen and bathroom sinks as well as the tub by turning them on slightly. You can even try flushing the toilet. If there's absolutely no flow of water, or a slow drip throughout your home or apartment, chances are good that your pipes are frozen.

Does your place stink? Other experts say a frozen pipe can cause a bad smell. Blocked up waste that didn't quite make it down the drain can fill a room with an odor.

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER:

My pipes burst. Now what?

What's next:

Do not call 911 for issues that are not affecting public areas. Instead:

Locate your main water supply and shut it off immediately.

After the main water supply has been shut off, turn on your faucets to let out any water that was still left in any drains.

Dangerously cold temperatures arrived in north Georgia on Monday, not just ushering in the chance of snow, but also the threat of frozen pipes and pipe bursts. You want to avoid as much water damage as possible.

Call your landlord now. It is very important that your landlord or management company is aware of the issue. They have a responsibility to maintain the habitabile quality of your apartment or condo, and cannot do that if they don't know there is a problem. Your landlord or building management may have a plan in place for such situations, which could relieve a lot of unnecessary stress.

Try your best to identify the source of the burst. If you can see which pipe the water is coming from, it may help a plumber or emergency maintenance team locate and remedy the problem quicker. Pro-tip: Keep those areas (cabinets and closets) open for warm air circulation to help thaw them out.

Make your neighbor aware of the burst and any flooding as soon as possible. Your neighbors may be affected next and could use the heads-up.

Get in touch with a water damage restoration company or plumber.

Move your belongings off the ground, especially valuable items and financial, legal, or medical documents. You can put them up on a higher shelf, or store them temporarily with a trusted individual.

Document the damage. Take photos or videos of anything you can that shows how your home and belongings were affected. You may need this proof later for insurance, etc.

Call your insurance company. Whether you're a renter with renters insurance, or an owner with homeowners insurance, this is the time to find out if you can be compensated for any damages.

Tenant, landlord/owner, or city: Who is responsible when a pipe bursts?

What you can do:

Renters and homeowners may be wondering if they could be held responsible for this kind of incident. Unfortunately, that answer is not always clear.

The first thing you can do is determine whether the burst and resulting damages were caused by your own negligence.

If you're a renter, the second thing you can do is check your lease. There is usually language that explicitly states what the landlord is responsible for.

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The Source: FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with David Cunningham with Superior Plumbing, who offered tips for pipes during freezing weather. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used in this article.

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