Cold temperatures in KS could lead to frozen pipes

TOPEKA (KSNT) - With temperatures falling into the single digits next week, we're at a time of year when your pipes could be susceptible to freezing, and it could cost you your hard-earned cash.

To avoid money leaking from your wallet, one plumber told 27 News there are ways to avoid it.

"Always keep a little bit of water running in your faucets if it's susceptible to freezing," Kirk Miller, owner of Preferred Plumbing Professionals said. "Put covers on your outside hydrants, don't leave any hoses on your outside hydrants. And if it is susceptible you can put heaters down in your crawl space as long as its safe."

While colder temperatures like we're experiencing now can lead to a higher chance of your pipes bursting, it also comes at a time when there are not enough plumbers. According to News Nation, the U.S. is expected to be short 550,000 plumbers by 2027. This is due to current plumbers retiring and aging out of the workforce. That's why Miller says more people need to be looking for blue-collar jobs.

"On the national shortage, we definitely need more people at Washburn Tech, to get into the Union, local union 441, plumbers and pipe fitters," Miller said. "A lot of people want office jobs and I think there's more demand for blue-collar jobs."

Miller told 27 News the national plumber shortage has led to him getting more calls.
While this sounds like it's good for business, he says it also results in him having to turn more people down.

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