St. Cloud Braces for First Arctic Blast: H&S Offers Water Pipe Protection Tips

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud area is preparing to face its first arctic blast of the season over the next few days, and with heavy rain last month and little snowpack, H&S Heating and Air Conditioning CEO Jeremy Salzbrun has a warning about water pipes.

Salzbrun tells KNSI he worries last month’s rain will have soaked deep into the ground, forcing the freeze to go deeper, threatening more water lines. “With all the rain we saw, and now when the refreeze comes, stuff’s going to get broken. So you just want to trust your gut, listen to your house.”

He knows from personal experience it’s not the kitchen or bathroom sink that needs attention. “Faucets that are outside. That’s your number one culprit that like to freeze up and bust. I personally, myself, had one rupture and bust. That water dumped down in the basement, and it inadvertently stinks.”

Salzbrun says to make sure garden hoses are unhooked to prevent the outside faucet from becoming a problem. He says any water or sewer line is vulnerable to freezing, whether in your house, yard, or the street. If you are concerned, you can add insulation to the ground around your home using hay or fake snow.

Sometimes, you may hear your pipes making funny sounds or water flow slowly; however, often, the first sign of frozen pipes is when the water stops running altogether.

If you fear your pipes are freezing, leave a faucet running and call a professional.

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