How to Unthaw Frozen Pipes.

Member

By billips
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (10 Ratings)

It may be too late for these pipes.

If you are lucky enough to get to your pipes before they burst there are two ways to thaw them out safely.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

To thaw pipes you can use either hot air or hot water. Whatever method you choose, work slowly.
Step 2

If you want to use hot air, first open faucets adjoining the pipe.

Use a hair dryer and move it gradually back and forth along the pipe. Starting a few inches away, move closer as you hear the ice begins to melt and drip.
Begin on a low setting and increase the heat as ice melts.

Use a cookie sheet or other piece of metal to protect wood behind the area that is frozen.

Instead of a dryer, you can use a heat gun on a low setting.
Step 3

You can also use hot water to unfreeze a pipe. again, open adjoining faucets. Wrap the frozen pipe with a piece of cloth. A towel would be ideal.

Dampen the cloth with warm water and then pour on hot. Ring out the cloth occasionally and keep a large vessel below to catch the water. Continue until the water runs freely.
Step 4

If you feel that you have frozen pipes behind a wall, set up a heater in front of the wall and heat gradually.

Once you have thawed your frozen pipes, consider insulation and other measures that could prevent the problem from recurring.

Comments