Greenville Utilities advising residents to pay extra close attention to pipes

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - After a freezing weekend and higher daytime temps, Greenville residents are being told to pay attention to their pipes so they don’t refreeze and burst.

Greenville Utilities is issuing an advisory to its users to pay attention for problems with their water pipes as frozen pipes dethaw and could refreeze.

“We have been so cold for several days, especially the low temperatures that came with the snow, that many of our customers’ pipes froze,” said Water Quality Manager Anthony Whitehead. “Pipes under houses and in the ground, like a sprinkler system, could freeze, then burst, but the temperatures are so cold at night, the water could freeze again. You would not even know the pipe was frozen.”

According to the release, these broken pipes cause major strain on their infrastructure, skyrocket bill payments, or serious property damage.

Residents are advised to follow this two-step program:

• Stop what you’re doing in your home and listen for the sound of running water. You can usually hear water running through pipes. Check to make sure faucets, washers, dishwashers, and toilets are not running. If those are all off and you still hear water running in the pipes, you may have a broken pipe. 
• Look at where your pipes are located: in crawl spaces, outside spigots, and possibly in your yard. Look for signs of water running where it’s not supposed to. If you see a problem close to your home, call a plumber. 

For more information about winter prepping pipes, click here.