how do you thaw a frozen water pipe

These three techniques are effective for thawing out most frozen drain pipes:

• Thaw pipes with a space heater or heat lamp positioned at least 3 feet away from flammable materials.
• Use a hair dryer to direct warm air up and down frozen pipe lengths.
• Wrap frozen pipe with an electric heat cable, and keep a close eye on the process.

Full Answer

How you can safely thaw your frozen pipes?

• Thermostat: Turning up the heat in your home can carry over into your walls and ceilings. ...
• Space heater: If there are vents in the wall or ceiling near the frozen pipe, you may be able to position a heater that has a fan near those vents. ...
• Expose the pipe. In certain circumstances, you may need to cut a hole into the drywall or ceiling. ...

When should I run water to keep pipes from freezing?

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing. Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.

How to keep pipes from freezing without power?

Steps to Keep RV Pipes From Freezing

• Insulate the Pipes Against Cold Weather. The simplest way to keep RV pipes from frost is to insulate them against the cold. ...
• Warm the RV Pipes. ...
• Use a Heater to Warm Your Vehicle. ...
• Attach Skirts Around Your RV. ...
• Drain Your Storage Tank. ...
• Keep the Water Running. ...
• Insulate the RV Against the Cold. ...
• Use Antifreeze. ...

Will frozen pipes thaw on their own?

Technically, water pipes CAN thaw out on their own but the danger is that the longer the pipes are frozen, the higher the chances are of them bursting and when they do, the cost to repair the damage can be extremely high. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reports that the damage can run as high as $5,000!

How do you unfreeze frozen water pipes?

0:442:31How To Thaw Frozen Pipes - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipArea open all the taps connected to the frozen pipe. So you know that the water starts to flow againMoreArea open all the taps connected to the frozen pipe. So you know that the water starts to flow again use a hairdryer with an item like a cookie sheet to reflect the warm. Air.

How long does it take to unfreeze water pipes?

Depending on the outside temperature and the extent of freezing within the pipe, the thawing process could take between one and six hours. Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

Will pipes unfreeze on their own?

Pipes will eventually unfreeze on their own naturally, but this takes far more time and before thawing occurs the freezing could become much worse. This could eventually lead to the pipe bursting and causing significantly more damage. It's better to proactively thaw a frozen pipe size than let it persist.

Will running hot water unfreeze pipes?

Running water, even cold water, will help melt ice in the pipe. Use a hair dryer to warm the pipe. "It is easy to use and safe," Brown said. "You would start from the faucet and work your way along to heat that pipe up."

How does a plumber thaw frozen pipes?

Here's a quick lesson on how to thaw a frozen pipe.Turn on the faucet. Keep it running. ... Apply heat to the frozen area. Slowly apply heat using a hair dryer. ... Continue to apply heat. Don't stop heating until full water pressure is restored. ... Check all faucets and prevent pipes from freezing in the future.

How do you unfreeze a pipe in the wall?

Turn up the Heat. Turn up the heat in the house and wait. ... Open Up the Wall. If you are very concerned that a burst pipe is imminent, cut out a section of the wall or ceiling to access the frozen section of pipe, then thaw the pipe as if it were an exposed pipe.

How much does a plumber cost to unfreeze pipes?

Frozen pipes can lead to expensive water damage, so you want to thaw them as soon as possible. However, hiring a plumber to do this for you can cost $200 or more, so you can save a lot of money by getting it done yourself!

Can frozen pipes thaw without bursting?

And once the temperature outside dips below 32F, unprotected pipes are at a greater risk of freezing and potentially bursting. That said, it's still possible for your pipes to thaw without bursting. The key is to release the pressure and allow the pipes to thaw slowly.

What happens when a pipe freezes in your house?

Sections impacted by freezing water can swell, crack, or burst, creating major water leaks when the water inside thaws. If leaks go undetected, burst pipe damage can be even worse. Water leaks inside walls can cause rotten wood or building materials and even mold growth.

What melts ice in pipes?

Heat Gun. A heat gun can quickly thaw out frozen pipes so long as it's used carefully. A heat gun is a tool that emits heat at up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can imagine, that will melt ice very quickly.

How many faucets should drip in cold weather?

one faucet dripHow many faucets should I let drip? You only need to let one faucet drip, but it's best for that faucet to be the one farthest away from where the water enters your home. The city of Portland and Consumer Reports both have some quick-and-easy tips on what to do if a pipe does burst or the water freezes.

Should I turn off my hot water heater if my pipes are frozen?

Frozen pipes can cut off your home's water supply and cause damaging leaks. In many cases, the help of a plumber is needed to resolve the problem. To prevent further damage, it is generally recommended that you turn off your main water supply valve and your water heater until repairs have been made.

Should I turn off my hot water heater if my pipes are frozen?

Frozen pipes can cut off your home's water supply and cause damaging leaks. In many cases, the help of a plumber is needed to resolve the problem. To prevent further damage, it is generally recommended that you turn off your main water supply valve and your water heater until repairs have been made.

How do you tell if your pipes are frozen?

One of the earliest signs of a frozen pipe is reduced or no flow out of a plumbing fixture, like a faucet, shower, or toilet. If plumbing pipes are visible, frost or bulging are other good indicators of a frozen pipe.

Do you run hot or cold water to keep pipes from freezing?

When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

How do you Unthaw frozen pipes without bursting them?

Use a space heater, heat lamp, or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape (from $25 to $61, depending on length) is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot. Don't thaw pipes using a propane torch, which presents a fire risk.

How to thaw a pipe?

Hairdryer: This is usually the easiest and safest way to thaw a pipe. If the pipe is close to the wall, place a cookie sheet behind the pipe to help radiate heat onto the backside of the pipe. Heat lamp: You can use an infrared or incandescent heat lamp.

How to warm up a frozen pipe?

Use an infrared lamp to help heat the wall section where you believe the pipe is frozen. Infrared lamps are better than regular heat lamps because they radiate through the air without heating it and will direct more energy to warm the wall and frozen pipe. There is less chance that the infrared lamp will dangerously overheat the wall materials.

How to keep kitchen pipes from freezing?

This is often sufficient to prevent kitchen pipes from freezing on the coldest nights. Wrap the problem pipe with electrical heat tape and allow it to run when the weather is especially cold. Insulate problem pipes with foam insulation wrap, especially those that run through unheated spaces.

How to find frozen pipes?

Identify the frozen pipe and locate the blockage. Follow the pipe back from the faucet to where it runs through cold areas, such as an exterior wall or unheated crawl space. Look for areas of the pipe that have frost or ice; it may also be slightly bulged or fissured.

What to do if your pipe is frozen but not yet ruptured?

If your pipe is frozen but not yet ruptured, you must thaw it right away. There are a few thawing techniques to try, depending on where the frozen pipe is located.

How to keep pipes above freezing?

Install a permanent heater to keep areas with pipes above the freezing point. For example, an unheated basement or garage can be fitted with a permanent baseboard heater to keep temperatures above freezing. However, do not use portable heaters, which should never be left running unattended.

Can a frozen water pipe leak?

Frozen water pipes are a serious risk during very cold winter weather. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands and can exert pressure at over 2,000 pounds per square inch. That's enough to rupture almost any pipe, since there is no place for the ice to expand. A ruptured pipe can be a time bomb. Initially, there may be no leaking at all since ...

How to thaw a pipe with direct heat?

To thaw pipes with direct heat, find the spot where the pipe is frozen, and apply heat directly to that area. Examples of a direct heat source would be a hair dryer, a heat gun like the kind used for paint removal, or a propane torch. Some options include: SEEKONE Dual Temperature Heat Gun Kit. Bernzomatic Propane torch.

How to fix a frozen pipe under a sink?

If the frozen pipe is under a sink, place the space heater near the area with the door open. Check the plumbing periodically to see if the heater defrosted the pipes. For larger problems, their are “bullet heaters” that run on kerosene, and now similar units that run on propane.

Why are my pipes freezing?

When pipes freeze, it instantly becomes a problem. Repairs can be very expensive if you hire a professional plumber. Also, if your pipes are frozen because of an atypical weather event (extreme cold of a polar vortex), it's likely a lot of other people will be having similar problems. It could be days before the plumber can get to you.

What to do if your drain is frozen?

If dealing with a frozen drain pipe, check it the trap first. The rest of the pipe should be empty. If it's not, the drain's not working correctly. For example, over time, support brackets can come lose, causing a sag in the drain line. This holds extra water that can freeze.

How to fix water line under pressure?

Water lines under pressure need to be addressed differently. Cut the pipe on both side of the leak, go to the store and get some hose large enough to fit over the pipe and hose clamps. Slide the hose over the line several inches at each end (connecting across the damaged span). Secure the hose in place with hose clamps.

How far away from flammable pipes should you thaw?

If you use an open flame for thawing, don't set your house on fire dealing with frozen pipes. Make sure to: Stay at least 2 feet from flammable materials. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

What caused the drain line to slide in the clamp?

This happened to a friend last year with the PVC drain line for a washing machine. The vibration of the machine caused the line to slide in the clamp.

Identifying or Locating Frozen Pipes

The easiest way to determine where you might have a frozen pipe is to identify faucets or other plumbing fixtures that don’t work (e.g. kitchen faucet, shower). In addition, look for pipes that may be coated in frost or bulging.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

The first thing to do before attempting to thaw frozen pipes is to shut off the water supply to that section of pipe or, if possible, shut off the water supply to your entire house.

Contact BioTek Environmental for Professional Help

We hope these tips will help you avoid issues more serious flooding issues and bursting water pipes during cold weather conditions.