Cold weather damaging water pipes in high desert

With the High Desert being hit with sub-freezing temperatures, Steve Gilson, a plumber based in Yucca Valley, has his hands full repairing frozen water pipes. He has been trying to squeeze in as many calls as he can.

“Yesterday I did thirteen. I am just running as fast as I can go, and getting people to where they have water,” saidGilson.

Alexis Fountain called for Gilson’s help to repair a frozen pipe she discovered in front of her Yucca Valley homeM onday night. With as cold as its been, she says she feels fortunate her family didn’t lose the use of their water.

“The other day it was 19 degrees in the middle of the night, it was cold,” said Fountain.

Steven Massey, who lives in an apartment complex in Yucca Valley, says he had no warning before the pipes broke in his apartment as well as in several other units.

“It was just so cold, and I went outside and saw the spraying on my roof and the pipes just breaking left and right. I saw my neighbors breaking outside, (and the) landlord trying to figure out everything, just crazy,” said Massey.

To avoid frozen pipes, Gilson recommends people insulate pipes exposed to the weather. It can make their life and his a lot easier.

“I tend to stress when I get people calling and I can’t get to them right away, and yeah, it’s hard on my body,” said Gilson. “Iguess I am not gonna live long if I keep doing this.”