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Bitter cold a threat to Green Country water pipes

Posted at 6:42 PM, Mar 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-04 19:42:58-05

The bitter cold temperatures sweeping through Green Country are threatening water pipes.

Whether at home or a business, if they’re exposed and not insulated, it means trouble.

Scott Bradshaw of Seal-Tec Plumbing has been out since 4:30 a.m, fixing frozen and busted water lines.

"We'd shut the water off then we'd be called to another one, to shut the water off and then come back to the first one,” he said. “So we've been running constantly."

It was a mess at Langston University near downtown, too.

A frozen pipe burst there, flooding a good portion of the first floor.

Water and electricity had to be turned off before restoration crews could move in to clean up. Water ran all night before workers showed up to call for help this morning.

Temperatures will drop into negative numbers early Tuesday with the wind chill factored in.

Outside faucets need to be wrapped and garden hoses disconnected.

“People forget and leave their hoses attached that still have water in the hose winds up freezing because it's outside," Bradshaw said.

Indoor faucets can freeze, too, when there's no heat getting to them.

Open cabinets to circulate the warm air and leave the water running, just slightly.

“The diameter of your pinky let the water run good flow both hot and cold do it several places in the house to keep the water moving,” Bradshaw said.

Plumbers tell us that the real problems start when these pipes begin to thaw. That's when you need to keep an eye out for water that's trickling out of your house or any faucets.

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