Taking preventative steps before the next cold snap saves time, money, and stress.
: Soak rags or towels in hot water, wring them out, and wrap them around the frozen section. Replace them every 5–10 minutes as they cool. Space Heaters
: Wipe down the outside of the thawed pipes completely.
Many older homes have cast iron or PVC drain pipes that behave differently when frozen. PVC becomes brittle – do not use an open flame (see below).
Wave the dryer back and forth along the frozen section. Do not keep the heat fixed on one single spot.
You can’t thaw what you can’t find. Run your hand along the exposed pipe. The frozen section will feel noticeably colder. Use an infrared thermometer to pinpoint the exact spot. If the pipe is inside a wall:
Electrical heat tape (or heat cable) is a fantastic tool for safely warming up exposed pipes over a few hours.
Never use an open flame, which can damage pipes and create a fire hazard. Instead, use a hairdryer, heat gun on a low setting, or wrap the pipe in heating tape or heating cables to slowly thaw it.
On extremely cold nights, let faucets connected to exposed pipes drip slowly.
If the pipe is fully blocked, hot water will not go down. You’ll just fill the sink. Use a wet vac to remove standing water first, then try a different method.
