4 Simple Steps to Thaw A Frozen Pipe

Have you ever had a really cold season and found that you have a frozen pipe in your house? There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with a pipe that has burst due to freezing. Not only is it terribly inconvenient, but it also makes a huge mess!

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do if you find yourself with a frozen water pipe. Here are some tips on how to thaw a frozen pipe so you can avoid future bursts and damage.

Why is a frozen water pipe dangerous?

Before we understand how to thaw a frozen pipe, let’s first discuss why it is so important to do so. Here are some reasons:

Water damage

A frozen water pipe is dangerous because it can easily burst when the water inside it freezes and expands. This can lead to extensive water damage in your home, which is not only a pain to deal with, but also expensive to repair.

Mold growth

A broken pipe can also lead to mold growth in your house. This is because the water in the pipe will seep into the drywall, carpets and other materials, creating the perfect environment for mold to thrive.

How to unfreeze a frozen pipe

So, now that you know all the reasons why you should unfreeze a frozen water pipe as soon as possible, let’s see how you can do it!

Thawing a frozen pipe isn’t necessarily difficult, although it can be intimidating if you’ve never had to do it before. Here are the steps you will need to follow to complete the job:

Step 1: Locate the frozen pipe

The first thing homeowners like you need to do is locate the frozen pipe. You may notice that water does not flow when you turn on a faucet, or the toilet does not fill after you flush it. These are signs of problems inside the pipe.

From there, it’s pretty easy to locate the problem pipe. There are a few ways to tell that a pipe is frozen.

For example, a frozen pipe may be bulged where the ice jam exists. Another way to tell is if the pipe has a thin, visible layer of frost. Finally, one way to know it may be frozen is if the pipe has already broken and there is a visible drip or flow from it.

Step 2: Turn off the water supply

Once you locate the frozen pipe, time is of the essence. You’ll want to repair the pipe before it bursts (or before an existing leak gets worse).

Before you can work on the pipe, you’ll want to turn off the water. If you have a water meter, you can turn off the main water supply to your home before any defrosting process begins. This will prevent water damage to your home if the pipe happens to burst.

In addition to turning off the water, you’ll want to turn on all the faucets (including the bathroom and toilet flush) in the house to release any remaining water in the system.

Step 3: Apply heat to the frozen section

Next, you’ll want to take a mop, bucket, and some old towels back to the frozen section of pipe, just in case. Now you will apply heat to the pipe.

Apply heat to the frozen section

To do this, you can use a hair dryer, a heater, a heating pad or a heating lamp. Do not use an open flame as this can be a fire hazard. A pro tip is to start defrosting at the end of the pipe closest to the faucet it connects to—that way, the water can escape through the open faucet instead of getting trapped in the pipe.

Apply heat until the ice block melts and water begins to flow through the pipe.

Step 4: Turn the water supply back on

Once the ice has melted and the water is flowing freely again, turn on the water supply and check for leaks. Of course, if there are cracks or holes in the pipe, you will need to turn off the main water supply again and repair the leaks before you can turn the water back on for good. Otherwise, you could end up with a flooded house, and no homeowner wants that.

Congratulations, the frozen pipe is fixed. Now you are ready to go!

What if you can’t locate the frozen section of pipe?

Sometimes you search and search for the frozen section of pipe but can’t seem to locate it. This is a frustrating endeavor. If you are in this position, or even if you locate the frozen section but the pipe is located in a hard-to-reach area, it may be necessary to call a professional plumber.

Plumbers have the tools and experience to thaw a frozen pipe safely and quickly. They also know how to repair any leaks or cracks that may have resulted from ice blockage. So, if you’re in over your head, don’t hesitate to call a professional for help.

Preventing pipes from freezing in the first place

Of course, the best way to deal with a frozen pipe is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Preventing pipes from freezing in the first place

1. Keep the thermostat above freezing

Keep in mind that frozen pipes are more likely to occur during periods of extremely cold weather. This is because, as mentioned earlier, very cold temperatures can cause the water inside the pipes to freeze and expand, causing them to crack or burst.

To prevent this, be sure to keep the thermostat set above freezing at all times. Even if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time, it’s better to leave the heat on low than risk coming home to a mess.

2. Check your house when you are away

If this home is a rental that you own or is in any way a structure that you don’t live in constantly, it’s especially important to take preventative measures. This is because no one will be there to notice the signs of a frozen pipe if it occurs.

So when it’s extremely cold, you’ll want someone to check your house regularly when you’re gone (at least once every few days). They can make sure the heat is still working and that all the pipes are in good condition.

If possible, have them open cabinets and closets where exposed pipes are located so warmer air can circulate around them.

3. Seal any cracks or holes in your home’s exterior walls

If there are cracks or holes in the exterior walls of your home, prepare for cold weather sealing them as best as possible. These cracks and holes can serve as an entryway for cold air, which can then freeze the water in the pipes.

You’ll want to check all exterior walls, including those in the crawl space and attic. Be sure to also check around doors and windows, as well as all electrical wiring that enters your home.

4. Insulate any exposed pipes

While you’re repairing the exterior walls of your home, this is a great time to also check if exposed pipes need to be insulated. The reason you would want these pipes insulated is to prevent them from freezing in the future.

Insulate any exposed pipes

For example, you may find exposed pipes in the attic, crawl space or small closets. A few ways you can insulate exposed pipes are with foam insulation, fiberglass insulation, or even towels if you’re in a pinch.

5. Leave a faucet running hot water in extremely cold weather

If you know very cold weather is on the way, another way to prevent pipes from freezing is to let a faucet drip hot water into your home. Hot water moving through pipes will help prevent pipes from freezing and expanding. While, yes, this can be a waste of water, it can be useful as a last resort rather than dealing with a broken pipe.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure to stop the drip as soon as the weather warms up.

6. Use a space heater or heat lamp in the room with exposed pipes

If there are exposed pipes located in an interior room of your home, you can also use a space heater or heat lamp to prevent them from freezing. Be sure not to place them too close to flammable materials such as wires, towels, or curtains.

And as always, be sure to turn off the space heater or heat lamp when you leave the room or exit the house.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are a few different ways you can thaw a frozen pipe. But as mentioned, the best way to deal with this problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

By following these tips and taking a few preventative measures, you should be able to successfully thaw a frozen pipe and avoid the costly and stressful problems that can occur with a broken pipe.

What other tips do you have for thawing frozen pipes? Tell us in the comments!