This section is from the book "The Boy Mechanic Vol. 2 1000 Things for Boys to Do", by Popular Mechanics Co.. Also available from Amazon: The Boy Mechanic, Vol2: 1000 Things for Boys to Do.
When the water pipes connecting a range boiler become frozen, get a plumber and avoid an explosion of the water back. If, however, the frozen pipe is a cold-water pipe in no way connected with the hot-water boiler, it can be thawed out as follows:
Procure some grain alcohol - not denatured or wood alcohol - and after turning the spigot upward or upside down, as shown, open it and pour in
The Faucet is Turned Upwards and Opened and Alcohol Poured In on the Ice the alcohol. When the water begins to flow turn it to its proper position. - Contributed by James M. Kane, Doylestown, Pa.

 
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