PROLONGED FREEZE AND
LACK OF SNOW INSULATION HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON WATER PIPES. THE NUMBER OF PIPE BURSTS HAS INCREASED THUS
FAR THIS WINTER.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind (JAN. 9, 2015)–The bitter cold is
putting a strain on all of us, but it’s also taking a toll on our water-pipes.
Friday, local restoration crews saw an increase of calls
for broken pipes
Squealers Barbecue Restaurant, 5515 W. 86th street,
unexpectedly closed its doors after a water sprinkler pipe burst.
“Hopefully, everyone understands that it’s not something
that we wanted. We are going to deal with it and make it right again–it’s
just going to take time, said Jeff Yatter, owner of Squealers BBQ.
Restoration specialists say the bitter temperatures are
proving to be too much for many water pipes.
“The temperature actually dropped below zero for so long
and now we are actually getting above zero that we are seeing some of the lines
break, said Rob Crandall, Moore Restoration.
The break isn’t just causing Yatter a big headache, it’s
also costing him big bucks.
“We will lose hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars. We
will have to shut-down for about a month,” said Yatter.
A broken pipe also caused heavy damaged at an
apartment complex in Westfield, 140 Maple Park Drive.
A pipe that sits against an exterior wall
gave-way, filling the communal laundry room with several inches of water.
“What we recommend to all homeowners is to be sensitive
to any water line that sits on an outside wall. These pipes have an increased
chance of breaking, said David Gorsage, Michaelis Corporation.
Gorsage suggests insulating your pipes in the winter and
running your faucet throughout the night.
“If you turn on a water line and there’s no water coming out, that means it’s probably frozen, and your pipe could break,”said Gorsage.
If you do experience a water pipe break, experts
recommend removing all water and moisture within 48-hours to prevent mold
build-up.