Expert Gives Tips On How To Remedy Frozen Pipes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Frustrating is an understatement when the pipes in your home freeze up.

But WCBS 880's Sophia Hall spoke with someone who has some tips on fixing the problem.

Mike Boufis, the superintendent from the Bethpage Water District, told Hall they had been out to nearly two dozen homes to help owners fix the issue.

"What we sometimes do is put towels in a dryer, heat them up and you can actually put them on the pipe and just that warmth from the towel will sometimes thaw that pipe.  If you open up your cabinet doors and just let the heat from the house go in there sometimes that will actually defrost them," Boufis said.

Boufis said never use a blowtorch to thaw out a frozen water pipe like one man reportedly used in Wantagh, leaving him injured and hospitalized.