LEWISTON – Jeff Allen usually has a half-dozen or so business cards from plumbers displayed at the counter of Selco Plumbing and Heating Supplies.

Not now, though.

All of the plumbers who usually pick up referrals from Allen have asked that he temporarily remove the cards because they’re so busy they can’t accept any new work.

“All the guys have been really busy because it’s been so cold,” said Allen, who owns the Lisbon Street business. In fact, some of the plumbers still have work to finish from last week’s severe cold spell.

Allen said the only number he’s giving out now belongs to a retired plumber who is doing just emergency work. One of his regulars, a furnace burner repairman, has orders backed up a month. Some of those orders are requests for adjustments and tune-ups because boilers work so hard in this weather.

Tony Perkins, manager at FW Webb plumbing supplies, sees the same thing.

“These guys are getting up at 4 a.m. and working until 10 p.m.,” he said. “They come in here and they look right stressed out.”

Calls Thursday to eight area plumbers for comment on the rush were not returned.

Plumbers have been picking up lots of copper tubing, heat tape, insulation and the special heaters used to thaw pipes. Perkins said business has increased because of the cold snap, but that it’s not exceptional, such as during the Ice Storm of ’98. And, Allen said, some of the spike in business isn’t attributable to the weather, but to a robust construction industry.

“The economy’s been good,” said Allen. “There’s a lot of building this time of year.”

Hopefully, those workers will be indoors. Forecasters are calling for temperatures to plummet below zero again this weekend.

That kind of frigid weather often results in frozen pipes, which can burst and cause flooding. Nationally, nearly $5 billion in claims were processed in 2000 for water damage and freezing. Only fire and lightning claims were higher at $7.68 billion, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Preventing frozen pipes

To avoid being one of those statistics, here are some tips for preventing frozen pipes:

• If you notice a reduction in pressure, your pipes might be beginning to freeze. Turn on the water and leave it on. This may dislodge the ice and prevent the pipe from freezing.

• Know where your water shut-off valve is located, mark it and make sure everyone in the family can turn off the water.

• Insulate your pipes by wrapping with at least 2 inches of insulation, such as foam rubber sleeves, fiberglass insulation or UL-approved heat tape. Pipes that run through unheated areas may also be wrapped with special heating strips before being insulated.

• During bitter cold nights, keep a stream of water (about the size of the lead core in a pencil) running from the faucets.

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to expose pipes to warm room air.

• Don’t reduce your heat below 55 degrees F. During bitter cold, don’t adjust your thermostat down at all.

If your pipes are frozen

• Turn off the water and your water heater circuit breaker; if you have a well, turn off the pump. This will prevent heating elements from being damaged. Check for leaks or cracks in the pipes. They will need to be repaired before turning on water.

• Open faucets to allow water to escape.

• Wrap the pipe with hot cloths, use a hair dryer or heating pad. Don’t use a torch or open flame. Be careful not to allow any electric cords to come in contact with water.

• Start from area closest to the faucet and work your way backward.

[email protected]