ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - An ice storm heading to Atlanta this weekend has prompted warnings for homeowners to take immediate steps to protect their pipes from freezing.

The approaching weather brings back memories of December 2022, when tens of thousands of people made desperate calls to plumbers after Christmas. Homes, businesses and apartment complexes flooded for days. Ceilings collapsed. Plumbers couldn’t keep up with demand.

Prevent ice storm damage with these simple steps

Homeowners should drip faucets against exterior walls or any pipes exposed to cold temperatures. Those with crawlspaces should drip all faucets.

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Both hot and cold water should maintain a slow, steady drip. Moving water is harder to freeze and prevents thousands of dollars in damage.

Garden hoses should be disconnected from outdoor spigots. Homeowners should cover or wrap the spigot and turn off the indoor valve that shuts off water to the outdoor faucet.

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When a pipe bursts, every second counts. Homeowners should locate their main water shutoff valve before the weekend arrives.

For those planning to travel during the cold weather, experts recommend turning off the main water supply and turning on faucets to drain the pipes. The same advice applies if power is lost at home.

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