Frozen Pipes Keep Plumbers Busier Than Ever

Lynchburg, VA.- The record lows Central Virginia has experienced over the last couple of weeks has also set a record demand on plumber's daily calls. Adam Jewell, who has worked for his father's company "Randy the Plumber and Son," says he can't keep up with the call volume.

The weather has been so icy that he's foregoing his company's traditional "plumber's van," and running plumber's calls in a Subaru. "I've been working out of the Subaru all week, just trying to get to as many people as I can. I get better traction, especially as I get out to the rural areas."

He says he can't remember a deep freeze when so many plumbers were in such demand. "There's lines that are 50 years old that have never had an issue. That are breaking this year. Things that never freeze are freezing."

He scribbles away on a worn out paper pad from the bowels of a basement as he repairs this homeowner's frozen pipes. Trying to schedule one customer on top of another, but it's hard as his phone continuously rings and he's trying to keep up with calls from customers who he says have tried every plumber in the book and then the friends who are asking for help too. "I've had customers who have been without water for over a week."

Jewell says if your pipes haven't burst by now, you're probably okay, but he says many customers forget how very cold a basement can get in these temperatures. So, he encourages home owners to warm up their crawl spaces and basements. Heat tape is a good way to warm up pipes in frigid temps. Jewell says many customers end up calling him back after he repairs a broken line and it freezes or bursts again. If that does happen he has one very handy tip: Know how to cut your water off. That alone can prevent huge water bills after a leaky pipe goes off.

And before you get desperate, have a list of plumbers to choose from. Check out their credentials. Make sure your plumber is licensed, bonded and insured. Be wary of hiring anyone who is soliciting business without proper licensing or referrals. For more information check out our link below.

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Frozen Pipes Keep Plumbers Busier Than Ever