Bitter cold causes frozen pipes, flooded basements across Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Bitter cold gripping the Philadelphia region is causing widespread plumbing problems as frozen pipes burst and back up in homes across the city.

Residents from multiple neighborhoods said they woke up to flooded basements and no running water, while plumbers say demand for emergency repairs has surged during the prolonged deep freeze.

Phillip Renninger, a licensed master plumber, said his phone has been "ringing nonstop" over the past week as temperatures remained below freezing for days on end.

"Frozen sewer lines, frozen water lines, frozen sprinkler lines, pipes are exploding," he said.

The cold spell has created what Renninger described as unprecedented conditions for the region.

"Our region is built to handle freezing temps, but not freezing temps for as long as we've had them this year," he said.

One of Renninger's recent jobs was in Northeast Philadelphia, where a burst pipe caused extensive damage.

"Their water line burst in their basement and soaked and froze everything in their basement, all their belongings in their basement," Renninger said.

In South Philadelphia, Trina Hawkes woke up to water pouring into her basement on the 2500 block of South Beulah Street.

"The water was like pouring out," Hawkes said.

She said she discovered the flooding when she came downstairs to do laundry.

"The basement was up to my ankles flooded," Hawkes said.

Hawkes and her husband bought their home just two months ago and did not expect to be dealing with major plumbing repairs so soon.

"It's gonna just have to come out of our pocket, or maybe we can get the help loan from the city," she said.

She added that the situation has been stressful for her family, especially with young children in the house.

"I have three kids who are 14, four and two," Hawkes said. "Now I'm having to tell them, my two-year-old especially, who's potty training, not to flush the toilet."

In Point Breeze, Raheen Ballard said frozen pipes have also disrupted daily life at his home on the 1300 block of South Chadwick Street.

"The cold water works, but as soon as we flip it to hot, there's nothing," Ballard said.

He said he tried using a space heater and even a hairdryer in hopes of thawing the pipes before they burst.

"I'm hoping it'll thaw out, but if not, I'm gonna have to consider calling a plumber," Ballard said.

Renninger said using a space heater near pipes can help if they are already frozen, but cautioned residents to use proper outlets to avoid fire hazards.

"You can leave the water trickling or a steady stream at this point, that may help it," he said. "But once it's frozen, the trickling trick does not really do much."

Ultimately, he said, many homeowners are left waiting for temperatures to rise.

"Besides that, we're really just stuck waiting it out until the temperatures get warm," Renninger said.

Once the weather improves, Renninger recommends insulating pipes and keeping heat on inside homes to prevent future problems.

"Best way to prepare for this would be just to insulate it properly and keep the heat on," he said.