If you find yourself with a frozen pipe that is inaccessible, don’t panic! There are several steps you can take to thaw your pipe and prevent further damage.
In this blog post, we’ll describe how to unfreeze a pipe in the wall, as well as provide tips to prevent pipes from freezing in the first place. Keep reading to find out more!
How to tell if your pipes are frozen
If your pipes are located in an exterior wall, feel the wall – if it’s colder than the other walls, there’s a chance your pipes are frozen. Another telltale sign is if you turn on the water and only a small stream comes out, or no water comes out at all.
If this is the case, your pipes are likely frozen and will need to be thawed before water can flow through them again. Frozen pipes can cause serious damage. Your pipes could develop leaks or even burst, causing your home to flood.
How to unfreeze a frozen pipe in the wall
When the water in the drain line freezes, it expands and can lead to a burst pipe. This can lead to serious damage and flooding in your home. To prevent this, it is important to thaw your frozen drain line as soon as possible.
This is easier to do when pipes are exposed, such as under a sink, in closets, or in a basement. However, this can prove a bit more difficult if the pipes are not exposed. Fortunately, there are a few things you can try yourself before calling in a plumber.
1. Hot water
hot water is an option when trying to thaw a pipe you don’t have access to. However, this will only work if you still have access to running water. Try to turn off the tap as hot as you can. Hot water it can also work if that’s all you can get. Once the ice has melted, open the faucets all the way to help remove any remaining water and debris.
2. Heat your home
One way to thaw frozen pipes is to raise the thermostat. This will cause the hot air from the furnace to circulate around the pipes, gradually heating them. However, this method can take some time and may not be practical if only a few pipes are frozen.
In this case, you can use heaters to target specific areas. Be sure to place the heater far enough away from the pipes so they don’t get too hot and risk damaging the plumbing. With a little patience and care, you should be able to safely thaw frozen pipes.
3. Heat the source
One way to thaw a frozen water pipe is to use an infrared lamp. First, find the frozen section of pipe. It will probably be along an outside wall. Once you’ve located the frozen pipe, position the infrared lamp so that the heat beam is directed at the wall in front of the pipe.
Be sure to keep the infrared lamp at least several feet away from the wall, as well as any flammable materials such as curtains or towels. Turn on the lamp and let it run for several hours or until the frozen pipe has thawed.
You may need to move the lamp during this time to ensure that the entire frozen section is heated evenly. Once the pipe has thawed, turn off the lamp and let the water flow freely again.
If you do not have an infrared lamp, you can also use a regular heat lamp to thaw the frozen pipe. Simply place the heat lamp so its bulb is close to (but not touching) the frozen pipe and turn it on.
As with the infrared lamp, be sure to keep flammable materials away from the heat source. Leave the heat lamp running until the frozen pipe has thawed, then turn it off and let the water flow again.
4. Open your wall
If none of the other options work, you may need to take a more drastic measure such as cutting your wall so you can access the frozen pipe.
This can be expensive, but it’s actually the safest way to thaw a frozen pipe. If you are willing to do this from the beginning, it is the most recommended option.
Once you have access to the frozen pipe, use a hair dryer or heating pad on the frozen section of pipe. You can also wrap the frozen pipe in towels that have been soaked in hot water. As the ice begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the pipe.
Once the water is flowing freely, remove the hair dryer or heating pad and repair the hole in the wall.
Alternatively, you can use electric heating tape. This type of tape is designed to generate heat and can be wrapped around a frozen pipe to gradually increase the temperature. It is important to be careful when using electric heating tape as it can get very hot.
Wrapping too tightly around a pipe can damage the pipe, and touching it with bare skin can cause burns. Once the tape has been applied, wait for the ice to melt and the water to start flowing again. If the water does not flow after a few minutes, remove the tape and try another method.
How to prevent frozen pipes
Prevention is the best course of action when it comes to your pipes in cold temperatures. Stay aware of the weather and take appropriate precautions when the temperature starts to drop below freezing.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help prevent pipes from freezing and save yourself the battle of dealing with a plumbing disaster.
1. Keep your heat on
One of the best ways to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep your heat turned up during freezing temperatures. This may seem like an obvious solution, but many people make the mistake of turning the heat down or even turning it off when they leave their homes for long periods of time.
But even if you’re only going away for the weekend, it’s important to keep your home warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing. Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheitand if you’ll be gone for more than a few days, consider asking a neighbor or friend to check on your house and make sure the heat is still on.
2. Keep the closet doors open
One way to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep cabinet doors open. This allows warmer air to circulate around the pipes and can help prevent them from getting too cold.
Another way to prevent pipes from freezing is by adding insulation with foam or other materials. This can help create a barrier between the cold air and the pipes, keeping them at a more constant temperature.
Additionally, it is important to seal any cracks or openings where cold air can enter.
It is also recommended to insulate the areas around the pipes as well, especially unheated areas such as attics or crawl spaces.
3. Keep the water flowing
You should also let a trickle of water drip from faucets during cold spells. This may seem like a waste of water, but flowing water will help prevent pipes from freezing.
Additionally, you should disconnect and empty any garden hoses before the cold weather arrives. Water left in a hose can freeze and expand, causing it to crack or burst.
Conclusion
If not you can access your pipes and none of these options work, it’s ultimately best to call a professional plumber to come take a look before further damage occurs.
If you have a frozen pipe, never attempt to thaw it using an open flame such as a blowtorch, propane heater, or candle. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to a house fire.
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