BATON ROUGE – Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills are expected across the Baton Rouge area Monday through Thursday.
With lows dropping into the 20s most of the week and highs staying in the 30s and 40s, Sunday is the last day to prepare your home.
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CURRENT FORECAST
Friday: Temperatures will be near or slightly above freezing, with a frost likely north of I-10. A warming trend will begin in the afternoon, with highs reaching the low 50s.
Monday: Heavy frost is expected along and north of I-10/I-12. Morning winds will cool in the upper teens to 20s.
Tuesday: Severe frost again in the same areas, with icy winds and a chance of snow.
Wednesday: Hard frost throughout the area. Cold wind chill between 5 and 15°F.
Thursday: Severe frost continues across the area, with wind temperatures of 15-25°F.
Take care of your pipes
Preventing frozen pipes is critical because burst pipes can cost hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
“My biggest tip is to let the water drip because the water bill will always be cheaper than the plumbing bill,” says Jude Barker, licensed plumber and owner of Barker Brothers Plumbing Works.
Here are important tips to protect your pipes in extreme cold:
- Insulate and wrap exposed pipes: Use pipe insulation sleeves or foam sheets to protect pipes in unheated areas such as attics, crawl spaces, or exterior walls.
- Open cupboard doors: Circulate warm air around sensitive pipes under sinks and in cabinets, especially in rooms with exterior-facing walls.
- Allow faucets to drip: Run hot water – less than the size of a pencil – slowly to prevent freezing. Choose a faucet furthest from the water heater to keep the entire system running.
- Run your dishwasher: Run a dishwasher cycle late at night during frost. The two-hour cycle keeps the water moving before you go to bed.
- Seal air leaks on windows and doors: Use weatherstripping and caulk to block drafts that could cool the pipes.
- Drain and disconnect external hoses: Disconnect and drain hoses to prevent ice buildup, which can cause cracks in faucets.
- Locate your main water shutoff valve: Make sure it is easily accessible in case you need to turn off the water quickly.
- Heating crawl spaces and attics: Use space heaters or heat lamps and make sure they are away from flammable materials.
- Keep interior doors open: Allow warm air to flow throughout the home, especially to vulnerable areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms without vents.
If you suspect a frozen pipe
- Immediately shut off the water supply at the main valve.
- Apply heat to the frozen area using a hairdryer, heat gun, warm towels, or hot water bottles. Never use open flames.
- Once thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check for leaks.
For those who leave the house during a freeze, Barker recommends turning off the main water supply and draining all faucets to prevent pipes from freezing.
MORE: All-time snow totals for Baton Rouge
What to do if your pipes burst?
If your pipes freeze or burst, professional help may be needed for cleaning and repairs, depending on the extent of the damage.
“A restoration company can help assess the damage, clean up the water, dry out walls and make sure mold doesn’t form,” says Lori Garlington of Klean King Air Duct and Restoration.
“Many people with vinyl plank floors need a dehumidifier to remove excess water from under the floors and dry out sheetrock,” Garlington said. “This is where a specialist comes in who will test your walls and take measurements to determine how wet they are.”
Home renovation companies can help with water-damaged flooring and carpeting, as well as mold removal and remediation.
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