LANSING, Mich. — The frigid cold temperatures are not only dangerous outside, they can take a toll on your home too.
Clinton County Emergency Services put out a warning on Facebook that water lines are freezing in Ovid. You can prevent pipes from freezing in your home by keeping your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open so more heat can get to the pipes. Keep a trickle of water running through the pipes so they can't freeze.
If your pipes do freeze you can warm them up in an electric heating pad or use towels soaked in hot water. You can also try using a hair dryer or space heater. Experts say do not use any kind of open flame including a blowtorch or kerosene heater.
The good news is that the weather will be warming up to temperatures above freezing on Wednesday. Plumbers say that also means homeowners who haven't realized their pipes are frozen could get a rude awakening. Kurt Knisely, Service Manager at The Meridian Company said, "A lot of times, you don't even know your pipes are frozen until after they start thawing and the frozen pipes don't necessarily leak until the water thaws out." Knisely added, if you suspect your pipes may be freezing, turn on the faucet so that water can flow through.
