Albany Utilities shares steps to protecting your pipes in frigid temperatures

ALBANY, Ga. – As we continue to see below freezing temperatures overnight, there’s concern about pipes freezing and bursting. That’s why we spoke with Albany Utilities about what you can do to protect your home.

Albany Utilities Residential Auditor, Willie Jackson says that even though we only see freezing temps in southwest Georgia for a short time, it can still cause trouble for people’s homes with their pipes.

“With the temperature being the way it is for this week, it can be somewhat common. And, the reason why, is because people aren’t educated about it, because it’s not often as cold as it’s going to be in the next coming days,” said Willie Jackson, Residential Auditor, Albany Utilizes.

Jackson says one of the best things you can do to protect your pipes from freezing and potentially bursting is to run both them both cold and hot.

“The cold water side is allowing water to come inside of your house from outside. But, the hot water side, once it leaves the hot water tank; most people’s pipes are under the home, and so it’s gonna reach those frigid temperatures under the home. So you want to make sure you keep the water running from the cold and the hot side,” said Jackson.

If not, Jackson says that the damage from the pipes bursting could be a very costly mistake.

“…It can vary. It can vary from a few hundred, to the low thousands. So, it can vary according to what plumbing company you use. Unless you are a do-it-yourself-er,” said Jackson.

And, Jackson gives us some great advice if you’re planning to be away from your home during any potential freezing nights to prevent coming home to burst pipes.

“If you’re going out of town, at least keep it to 50 degrees. That’s going to allow it to fight against freezing weather. If you’ve got a person who has a spare key to your house, they can go by and check your water off and on, while it’s still running,” said Jackson.

While the freezing cold will stay with us for a little longer, Jackson says taking action now could save you from spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to fix your home.

For any concerns about burst pipes, you can contact Albany Utilities at 229-863-8330 for damage assessment.

Brian Roche reporting.

Copyright 2024 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.