Central Otago plumbers have been run off their feet after getting about 100 calls about burst pipes in buildings this week.
A series of severe frosts, with the temperature dropping to -16degC in places, has caused problems for some home owners and businesses.
Plumbers are bracing themselves for more calls as winter continues, bringing more hard frosts.
Foley Plumbers, Alexandra, manager Chris Flannery said they had fielded between 20 and 40 calls in the past three days and numbers could double by next week.
''We have been to four houses that were very flooded and the rest just minor.''
McLellan's Plumbing and Heating owner Rory McLellan, of Alexandra, said his firm dealt with 50 calls, mostly minor flooding, throughout Central Otago this week .
Homeowners only realised pipes had burst when they started thawing.
Plumber Jade Atherton said his business was receiving six or seven calls a day.
''It starts off in Alexandra and then goes through to Omakau and Oturehua as the day gets a little bit warmer.
''If you are going away, even if it is just for a night, keep your heat pump running or drain all your water. You're best not to chance it,'' he said.
Other ideas from the plumbers to prevent burst pipes in houses were to lift the manhole cover to one side to allow heat to rise into the ceiling space, keeping the whole house warm and not to shut off areas.
People could also ask an electrician about installing heat lamps in ceiling spaces, they said.
- Stacey Bryant
