Thawing a frozen pipe quickly is important to make sure that your water gets flowing again and you don’t end up with a burst pipe. However, it’s just as important to make sure the pipe is thawed correctly so you don’t damage your plumbing.
Here are six things you should do if you think you’re suffering from a frozen pipe:
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Find the pipe
If you think you have a frozen pipe, the first step is to find it. To do this, turn on the faucets and see if any water comes out or if only a small trickle escapes. If that’s the case, then the pipe leading to that faucet may be frozen. Pipes that are exposed, such as those under sinks or on the exterior of the house, might allow you to see the frozen portion of the pipe. You’ll see frost on the pipe or a slight bulge in the pipe indicating a frozen pipe.
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Open the faucet
Before you start trying to fix the frozen pipe, you have to make sure both hot and cold taps are open. This will help relieve any pressure on the piping and let the water get out once your pipe is properly defrosted.
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Start thawing near the faucet
It’s best to start thawing a pipe close to the faucet then work your way down to the actual freeze. This lets all the steam from the melting ice from the open faucet. If you try to thaw the pipe near the block, then the steam could get stuck behind the freeze and increase the pressure in the pipe, which can lead to it bursting. If that happens, call plumbing services to deal with the pipe immediately.
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Use a hairdryer
One of the easiest ways to help a pipe thaw is by using a hairdryer. If your pipe is easily accessible, just plug the hairdryer in and aim it near the faucet and start working your way down. The indirect heat can help thaw the pipe and most people have a hairdryer in their home they can use.
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No hairdryer? Try hot towels
If you don’t have a hairdryer handy, towels dipped in hot water and wrapped around the pipe can help thaw the pipes. You’ll have to remove them as they cool and reheat them regularly. Wring out the towels to avoid water dripping everywhere so that they’re hot and damp.
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How to tackle enclosed pipes
If your pipes aren’t exposed, you’ll have to get a bit more creative. First, try turning up the heat in the house to help the pipes thaw. This is another reason it’s recommended that you keep the heat turned on whenever you’re away from home for an extended period of time in the colder months. If you turn up the heat in the house, you may be able to start the thaw.
If you know where the pipe is in the wall, you can try aiming an infrared lamp at the wall. The heat may be able to get through the wall and help the pipe defrost. Finally, if you’re comfortable, you can cut out a section of the drywall in front of the frozen pipe to access the pipe and then use one of the methods listed above to thaw the now exposed pipe.
