What You Need to Know About Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes? Stop what you are doing and read this! Don't make the mistake that many people are making around the Northeast and especially in the the Twin Tiers!

In the last 4 days, over 12 house fires caused by trying to thaw frozen pipes, have occurred in the area. Most of the houses couldn't be reoccupied.

No offense guys, I know you are smart and have a good head on your shoulders, but the chances of you thawing out your pipes with a torch without causing a fire or a burst pipe is slim to none.

Know how to do this right. It is a no brainer that you need to apply heat. But do NOT use an open flame, kerosene, propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Heating pads, space heaters and in some cases (be cautious) hair dryers are recommended by the American Red Cross to take care of the problem.

Be aware that the water company's pipe insurance to cover home pipes most likely only covers burst pipes and not frozen ones. Ours doesn't. Yes, I had frozen pipes over the weekend.

We opted to first call our heating system guy for advice. Because of the type of foundation we have and where our pipe issue was, he suggested a specific way to heat the area. It worked.

In short, before you try and remedy the problem yourself, check the American Red Cross site, call your heating guy, and think big picture. But whatever you do, put away the torch!

When Spring arrives, check the part of the Red Cross site that explains how to prevent the frozen pipes for next winter.