Use caution thawing out frozen pipes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Frozen pipes are a common problem this time of year, but thawing them out can be dangerous.

The owner of 124 North Transit Road in Lockport told firefighters he was using a propane torch to thaw out frozen pipes in his home. The resulting fire left his home a total loss.

In the last couple of days, since the cold snap, Cellino Plumbing owner Tony Cellino says he's gotten a lot more calls from people with frozen pipes.

Cellino said, "It's the cold and the wind. Once the wind gets up there, and it kind of sneaks into your home through the cracks, that's what causes the pipes to freeze up. A lot of times they don't have the proper windows in the basement. Oftentimes, we'll go to jobs where the windows will actually have cracks in them or they're broken. Sometimes, dryer vents will let cold air in through."

You can find everything you need to prevent your pipes from freezing at any home improvement store.

"Seal up your windows, your doors; in the basement, check those windows down there. And properly insulate any pipes that may be on the outside walls. You may want to add heat tape to your water lines," Cellino said.

Look for fiberglass insulation; other types catch fire more easily. You can also leave your faucets on, even at a drip, to prevent them from seizing up. It's not uncommon, Cellino says, for homeowners trying to thaw pipes to accidentally start fires.

"[You] need to be very careful with that. If you're going to attempt to do it on your own, you may want to use a hairdryer or small little electric heater. 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," Cellino explained.

Professionals will use machines that look similar to jumper cables, to send an electrical current through the pipe, and thaw it.

If you are going to try to thaw your own water lines, you need to work backwards. Start by applying heat where you know it's not frozen, and then gradually work along.

You may want to shut off your water, to prevent pipes from freezing further.