ATLANTA — It's been several days of frigid temperatures in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, and the winter weather is keeping plumbers busy with frozen pipes and other weather-related issues.
On Friday, a representative with Dupree Plumbing said they were experiencing higher-than-normal call volume, and their plumbers had been slammed over the last few days.
A Casteel Air spokesperson said they were also funneling an influx of calls about frozen pipes and pipe leaks.
Sari Papazian, President of AdvantaClean for Sandy Springs/ Norcross, which handles water damage restoration and repairs, said there are several things homeowners can do while they wait on professional service in order to avoid an even costlier repair.
“Instead of it being a 10,000 claim, it could end up being a 200,000 claim if you don't take action immediately," explained Papazian.
He said homeowners dealing with frozen pipes should do three things immediately.
- Shut off your main water valve.
- Remove any standing water.
- Document mitigation efforts for potential insurance claims.
“It’s important to show your insurance down the road, if you do file a claim, that you were able to mitigate. They need to see that effort so they know there was nothing you could do to prevent the outcome," Papazian added.
He said homeowners should also make sure the professional they're calling is reputable because that could end up costing them more in the long run.
“Make sure the professionals that you’re calling have good reviews and are legitimate companies. You don't want to hire someone that could end up making the damage worse," said Papazian.
Experts also said that homeowners and renters should continue to take preventative measures this weekend, such as dripping their pipes and opening cabinet doors, as we are expected to have a longer stent of below-freezing temperatures.