An O’Fallon, Illinois “mobile home” resident took a cold matter into their own hands.
It didn’t end well.
A resident’s effort to warm frozen pipes under his home resulted in a fire and smoke damage on December 18th. Per the Belleville News-Democrat, the home’s resident told officials that he was trying to warm up the frozen pipes — by using a blowtorch.
“It’s maybe not always a good idea to use any type of open flame near a home,” O’Fallon Fire Chief Brent Saunders, said dryly.
“Pipes are susceptible to freezing under homes that are open underneath, such as mobile homes, but said preventative measures such as using heat tape or extra insulation is preferred.”
The home’s two occupants are temporarily displaced.
As manufactured home retailers, community management, and service professionals all know, mobile and manufactured home owners should be taught that in areas prone to freezing temperatures, a foundation enclosure (aka ‘skirting‘) and heat tape on any exposed water line are standard practice to prevent frozen water lines.
The video below provides Do-It-Yourself (DIY) help for heat tape installation.
The Daily Business News could not find an expert or service pro that recommends using a blowtorch for unfreezing a water line.
Using a hair dryer on frozen lines? Different story. ##
(Image credits are as shown above.)
Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.
