What To Do, And Not Do, About Frozen Pipes

LANSING (WWJ) -- With the extremely cold temperatures, communities are experiencing frozen water and sewer lines. About a quarter-million homes in Michigan are damaged each winter due to frozen water pipes.

Ron Leix with the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division, says thankfully they haven't had too many weather-related issues, but they are still asking people to take precautions.

"When it gets this cold people tend to start encountering frozen pipes," Leix said. "Don't take a chance, call a plumber right away if you suspect you have a frozen pipe."

Leix says if you decide to take on that frozen pipe, consider using a hair dryer. He says start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, and work your way to the coldest section.

"One thing that people try to do is they try to get down and take a blow torch to a suspected frozen pipe -- don't do that," Leix said. "That could easily cause a house fire so we're asking people to just don't take a chance."