How To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you live in a place where the temperature in winter drops to freezing levels, you probably encounter problems with the drain. As long as you are at home (and not on vacation in warm areas), you can solve this problem all by yourself. AIC Heat exchanger will offer you some tips on how to thaw frozen pipes.

How to thaw frozen pipes properly

Make sure that the frozen pipe is not cracked. When water freezes, it expands the matter, so, if the water is frozen in the pipes, it is possible to sufficiently spread, and consequently rupture the pipe (in which case you will need to repair the pipe). However, in many cases the pipe is not cracked, and it is only blocked.

Once you have determined that the pipe is not broken, turn off the water that comes through the pipe. In older homes, this usually means that you will need to close the main water supply line that supplies your house, while in newer homes if you install such a system of pipes it can close a frozen pipe.

Open all faucets connected to the frozen pipe to get rid of cold water from it, reduce pressure and allow the ice/water to run off when it defrosts.

Defrost the pipe using one of the following (depending on what you have available and how easy or difficult it is to get to the pipe):

Wrap the pipe with towels or cloths and pour hot water. This will warm the frozen part of the pipe and melt the ice.

Use a small hair dryer to warm the air, warm the frozen part of the pipe.

Put a small heater near the frozen pipe and leave it there for an hour.

All the above methods for thawing a supply pipe can be applied to the drain pipe. Make sure you are always careful when performing these operations. If you are not really sure how to do them properly, ask for some help or get a plumber.
Many people find the hot water method very effective. All you need to do is attach the end of the pipe that is in your hand to the spout of a teapot with hot water. The steam from the teapot will travel down the tube and melt the ice.

Small tips

If you use a blowtorch on frozen pipes, make sure that you move back and forth along the pipe. Certainly, you do not want to overheat the pipe which can cause a permanent damage and you will need to replace it.

Electric heating pads for pipes may sound like an easy and efficient way to defrost tube, but note that a combination of electricity, water and copper pipes can cause serious damage if you are not being careful. Do not do it by yourself if you do not have any experience.