Water pipes around the home are always at risk of freezing during the Kentucky winter. But, that risk is greatly increased this week with temperatures expected to reach 15 to 20 degrees below zero. Kentucky Association of Master Contractors Director Tim House says home insulation standards in the Commonwealth require pipe protection for temperatures above zero. "And the house is insulated. Well, it's only insulated to a point. You don't typically design the insulation of a home in Kentucky for Alaska weather," said House.
The key to preventing pipes from rupturing is to keep a pencil point stream of water running. House says if pipes do freeze, the first step is to shut off the main water valve. "Through time it warms up or through pressure, the ice pushes out, it's gonna leak. Well, with the water still running, that's where you gonna have your most damage," added House.
House says several days of extreme cold can drive the freezing conditions deeper into the ground and cause pipe problems. He says plumbers and suppliers will be tested this week. "Plumbers are gonna be a shortage as well as product for them to use. So, hopefully, they learned their lesson last year and supply houses have stocked up," said House.
House says supplies ran well short of demand during last year's severe winter period.?
