Robert Artzt, right, manager of Smoot-Anderson Co., shares plumbing fixtures with sales representative Kevin Kemp.
Jerry Larson, Tribune-Herald
The historic February frost that burst pipes across Texas cannot yet be considered water under the bridge as local plumbers report waiting lists and three-week delays in handling service calls from desperate customers.
A parts shortage exacerbates the problem as homeowners joined plumbing professionals who flocked to hardware and big box retailers after the big freeze. Some local plumbers say they have customers discovering damage caused by temperatures that dropped below zero during the week of Valentine’s Day in central Texas.
Chris Anderson, who owns the Smoot-Anderson Company plumbing house at 3400 Clay Ave. heard said he hadn’t seen anything like it in 35 years.
“We have had thousands of people trying to do their own repairs,” said Anderson. “That Monday morning after the freeze, 300 people tried to get into the building. Cars parked up and down on Clay Avenue.
“It reminded me of the old stadium days,” said Anderson, remembering the old Floyd Casey Stadium that had long operated near the plumbing store.
Anderson said the market had already changed before the ice storm, which seemed to be pushing the situation over the edge. Deliveries have been sporadic and prices have risen since the last Gulf Coast hurricane in August.
“We sell water heaters,” said Anderson. “But one of the plants down there that makes the foam that is used to make heaters is affected. Now they’re telling me it will be 15-17 weeks before I get the heaters that I wear. “
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