Plumber: Heed tips to avoid frozen pipes

Plumbing problems are common in subzero weather, but master plumber Sam Stukel of Plymouths Horton Plumbing and Remodeling has some tips for homeowners.

A little trickle of water through faucets helps, said Stukel, who manages commercial plumbing at Horton and adds I do just about everything. Water coming through doesnt freeze.

In manufactured homes, heat tape is used on plumbing. When Horton crews visit manufactured homes with plumbing problems, often they find skirting pieces missing.

Siding can blow off the home, he said. That little bit of airhole can freeze pipes. It doesnt take a lot to freeze them up.

He was in a Plymouth Township Lake Pointe home Tuesday where the main bathroom was 25-30 degrees cooler than the hallway. Stukel recommends not dialing your themostat down too much in this weather.

The heats got to crank up to combat it, he said.

He had 35-40 more calls to get to late Tuesday afternoon.

We are just cranked up, Stukel said.

Horton Plumbing, in business since 1988, doesnt usually see that volume. Every five years or so you get a bad one, Stukel said.

Horton crews have visited mainly homes in this cold snap, along with a couple of dental practices. It is good for the plumbing business.

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Plumber: Heed tips to avoid frozen pipes