Pipes can freeze in no time during a cold spell

All it takes is 20 to 25 minutes during a cold spell, and homeowners can have a big problem on their hands. According to Providence, Rhode Island, CBS affiliate WPRI?, when temperatures are in single digits, pipes can freeze in that time span and then burst if too much water backs up.

A local plumbing expert advised residents to keep their heat turned up so that water will continue to flow through baseboard heating and have less of a chance of freezing. He also advised homeowners to circulate warm air through all the nooks and crannies of their home – including cupboards and even ceiling tiles – and to check where there is poor insulation. This can be done most effectively through infrared leak detection.

If homeowners suspect their pipes have frozen, they should exercise caution when thawing them. Recently in Buffalo, New York, a man started a fire in his home because he was using a propane torch to thaw out frozen pipes, according to local CBS affiliate WIVB. Plumber Tony Cellino said he’s seen a lot of frozen pipes because plumbing has been exposed to cold drafts that come through cracks in the home, thin windows or even dryer vents. He said it’s not uncommon for homeowners to start fires when trying to thaw the pipes, and they should exercise caution when doing so.

“If you’re going to attempt to do it on your own, you may want to use a hairdryer or small little electric heater,” Cellino told the source. “But you also have to be careful as to where you apply the heat. If you happen to apply heat … in the middle of a frozen pipe, it could actually burst.”

People who are going to attempt to thaw their own pipes should start warming pipes where they are not frozen, and then gradually move closer to the frozen area. They should also turn off their water supply until everything thaws.