Frozen pipes can pose a real danger to a home, as they can burst and cause a serious plumbing or flooding problem.

The best way to reduce the risk of having your pipes freeze in the first place is to let a trickle of water flow out of one of the faucets on those nights when a freeze has been predicted. Insulating outdoor plumbing sources, such as at faucets, is also recommended.

But, if you are caught off guard and the pipes do freeze and become damaged, the best thing to do is to thaw it and then turn off the water before the plumber comes.

The National Safety Council offers some advice to homeowners for ways to safely thaw frozen pipes.

First of all, try to thaw the pipes as quickly as possible. Leave the main water supply valve open, since incoming water pressure will help remove loosened ice. Start at the faucet when thawing and work toward the source.

There are several things you can use as a heat source, and some work better than others. What you shouldn’t use, however, is a blow torch. Many home fires have been started by people trying to thaw pipes with blow torches, and it is strongly recommended that you not use one.

You could use an electric iron, instead. This provides the most concentrated heat to thaw a pipe. Move the iron down the pipe as the thawing begins, being careful not to touch the heated areas of the pipe with your hands.

An electric hair dryer can also be used to blow warm air directly on the suspected frozen area.

Heat lamps may also be used. You could place an infrared heat lamp directly on the suspected frozen area. For added efficiency, place a piece of sheet metal or aluminum foil behind the pipe to conduct a greater amount of heat.

The least efficient and messiest way to thaw pipes is by using boiling water. If you do use this method, first wrap rags around the suspected frozen area. Also, be extremely careful when transporting and pouring boiling water, to prevent the risk of burns.

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