Preparing Your Pipes for Winter Weather

Zack Klein • December 22, 2021

Let's face it, living in the South means that winter is hit or miss. Some years, we are granted mild temperatures, while others, we may find ourselves in the midst of a deep freeze. Just this year, parts of the South were gripped by an uncharacteristic ice storm that left many unprepared for the accompanying power outages and frozen pipes. When you own commercial property, there is no “wait and see” luxury for winter weather. Preparation is an absolute must, and plumbing falls very high on the priority list.


Dangers of Frozen Pipes

As temperatures dip, the danger of frozen and burst pipes increases. Water expands when it freezes, meaning that your inflexible pipes are under increasing pressure as they work to hold in a solid that is growing in size. As a result, pipes may burst, leaving you with extensive water damage that can be both costly and time-consuming to repair.


Winter Plumbing Preparation

The best way to avoid frozen pipes and potential water damage is by taking appropriate preventative measures to winterize your pipes. Chief among these is ensuring that the temperature around your pipes does not dip below freezing. Inside, this means keeping your property well-heated and taking care to clean ducts so that air circulation remains uninhibited. For exposed pipes outside of the structure, this means using insulation to trap in warmth.


Signs of Frozen Pipes

While prevention is always best, we know that there are circumstances where frozen pipes will occur and take property owners completely by surprise. If that happens to you, there are some immediate steps you can take to help prevent a worst-case scenario.


If you notice signs of frozen pipes like no water from faucets, the first step you should take is to contact a licensed plumber for professional help. They can help restore your pipes while also maintaining their structural integrity. Should you choose to try and unfreeze pipes yourself, use something like a hairdryer to gradually raise the temperature surrounding the frozen section. Do not apply heat directly to the pipe for an extended period of time, as this extreme and sudden change in temperatures can cause the pipe to crack.


Preventing Cold Weather Maintenance Complications

If you want to be prepared for any and all winter-related maintenance complications, consider pre-loss planning services from certified restoration experts like Guarantee Restoration Services. Not only can our team help you take the appropriate steps to prevent a catastrophic event like burst pipes, but we can also help ensure you are fully prepared and able to get back on your feet as quickly as possible should any type of property damage occur. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. 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