CHICAGO (CBS) — Before an extreme cold snap arrives beginning this weekend, plumbers and across Chicago are telling people to get their homes ready now.
Insurance experts said the same. There is a plumber shortage that is only getting worse—so not only will it take longer to get repairs done, but it is going to be a lot more expensive.
About a year ago, a pipe burst in the ceiling and dumped gallons of water across the two dining rooms at Asparagus Restaurant, at 7876 Broadway in Merrillville, Indiana. The damage cost more than $60,000 to repair.
“It was sad. It was really sad. There’s a lot of us that work here, and we just… I don’t know — it looked a lot worse than now,” Asparagus manager Kate Witte said in January 2024. “Water was still pouring out of lights. We thought we would not reopen for a long time.”
The restaurant had to close for 10 days after the pipe burst. Walls and furniture were ruined.
Such costly repairs are why Christian Morales with J. Blanton Plumbing was visiting homes across Chicago all day Thursday.
“The best maintenance is preventative maintenance,” Morales said.
He placed faucet covers on outdoor spouts to protect them from the cold.
“I would recommend everyone getting them, especially because it’s not an expensive piece,” Morales said.
Raychel Adiutori is with Erie Insurance, and also had direct advice on preparing for extreme cold.
“Some things such as proper insulation, keeping up with HVAC maintenance and regular inspection can significantly reduce the risk of costly repairs,” she said.
Adiutori said when it comes to HVAC systems, air filters should be changed, vents should be opened, and thermostats should be kept at the same temperature day and night. The thermostat should never go below 55 degrees.
As for pipes, Adiutori said, homeowners and renters should disconnect and drain hoses, drip faucets to cold water, and open cabinets to get warm air flow to pipes.
“And the most vulnerable pipes are the ones that are not contained in the heated interior of the home,” she said.
But even with all those tips in mind, Morales knows next week will be busy as his plumbing company tries to help homes and businesses come back from extensive damage.
“We’ll definitely have a lot of emergency calls,” he said.
The owner of Asparagus said last year, the restaurant insulated all the exterior walls and opened up the duct work for better air circulation. Insurance only covered some of it—the restaurant had to pay around $20,000 out of pocket.
