Howdy folks,
Stephen Jordan here—CEO, founder, and head pipe-whisperer over at SMJ Plumbing Services in good ol’ Slidell, Louisiana. Now, we may not get buried in snowbanks like our friends up north, but every so often winter decides to dip a little too far south and leave us all wondering why our pipes sound like they’re clinging for dear life.
Let me tell you, nothing brings out the colorful vocabulary in a homeowner quite like waking up to frozen pipes. One minute you’re waitin’ on that hot morning shower, and the next you’re staring at a faucet that’s drier than a crawfish boil in July. And trust me—when pipes freeze in Louisiana, they freeze with attitude.
See, most homes around here just aren’t built for the kind of cold snaps we’ve been seeing more often. Pipes tucked into crawl spaces, attic runs with barely a sweater on ’em—bless their hearts, they don’t stand a chance. When that temperature dips below 32°, water inside those pipes starts expanding, and before you can say “where’s my wrench?” you’ve got bursts, cracks, or a full-blown indoor waterfall.
But don’t you fret. A little preparation goes a long way. Wrap your exposed pipes like you’re tucking ’em in for bed, let those faucets drip when the weather gets nasty, and keep your home warm enough so the pipes don’t start throwing a tantrum. And whatever you do, don’t try thawing a pipe with a blowtorch—unless, of course, you love meeting your local fire department.
If winter does take your plumbing hostage, well, that’s when you call the pros. At SMJ Plumbing Services, we’ll get your water flowing smooth as sweet tea on a Sunday afternoon.
Stay warm, stay prepared, and remember—I wrangle the pipes so you don’t have to.
—Stephen Jordan
SMJ Plumbing Services, Slidell, LA