COLCHESTER, Vt. -
It's not uncommon for plumber Rene Brosseau to be on scene fixing a frozen pipe.
"I probably do seven or eight throughout the year. Maybe sometimes ten," Brosseau said.
He says it isn't a pretty sight.
"When things get real cold they freeze and they split and they can do a lot of damage," Brosseau said.
Brosseau says when the split pipes thaw close to 70 pounds of pressure push water out of the pipes and into your house. So it's better to catch it before that happens.
"It gets cold and it gets slushy and then they turn around a few ours later into a ice cube," Brosseau said.
If you notice your water isn't working in part of your home shut of the water and call a plumber but even if they don't burst frozen pipes still make you pay.
"If it's an easy fix it can run you know $80, $100. If you're gonna be there a long time it can be $200 or $300 it all depends what you run into," Brosseau said.
Pipes near walls and windows need to stay warm. You can do that by installing slots near them, keeping the cabinets they're in open and sealing any exposure to the outdoors.
"If you got a little draft that's coming in their it might be 32, 30, 29 and you're just playing with fire because you're just playing with fire because you're just looking for something to break," Brosseau said.
If you need help from a plumber check the Vermont's list of licensed plumbers.
