MARSHALL COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — As temperatures drop over the weekend, local plumbing experts are warning homeowners to take preventative measures to avoid costly pipe damage from freezing weather.
Idle water in pipes expands when it freezes, causing pipes to burst or crack and leading to potentially undetected leaks, according to local plumbers. When temperatures drop below freezing, both plastic and copper pipes face freezing risks. A crack as small as one-eighth inch can leak more than 250 gallons of water daily, causing flooding, structural damage and mold growth.
Robert Spencer, owner of Spencer’s Plumbing in Boaz, said residents should leave kitchen and bathroom cabinets open and keep water running from all faucets, including outdoor fixtures…