Tayside Fire and Rescue is going through a “challenging period” as distraught homeowners inundate the service with reports of burst pipes.
Since Boxing Day fire crews have received around 150 calls specifically on the problem as well as handling other emergency situations.
The sudden influx is due to a widespread thaw which has seen the mercury rise above freezing after days of sub-zero temperatures.
As a result a number of homes and businesses are suffering cracked pipes, allowing water to spill out and, in some cases, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Station manager Ron Massie said the number of burst pipe calls into the emergency service reached its peak on Tuesday.
“Around 100 calls were made on that day so there have been a lot of challenges for us,” says Mr Massie.
Even with the exceptional volume of emergency calls, fire crews continue to handle other life-saving duties.
Mr Massie said, “We have been able to cope over this period with the staff we have but we are hopeful that with the thaw now well under way the majority of burst pipe calls have now been made.”
To relieve pressure the fire service is urging homeowners to download a copy of Scottish Water’s leaflet, Warm Pipes Happy Home.
It gives advice on ways you can help prevent pipes freezing as well as information on what to do if a pipe bursts.
Scottish Water revealed this week that it had received over 14,000 calls from customers seeking help with burst pipes since Christmas Eve more than four times the normal level for this time of year.
And on Monday the publicly funded body answered over 7000 calls in a 24-hour period.
The increased demand has prompted the organisation to draft in extra resources in its contact centre and in the field to help deal with the effects of the weather.
Scottish Water urges people to help them by reporting visible bursts in the public network by contacting their customer helpline on 0845 601 8855 or online.