How to Unfreeze Frozen Pipes

If you awake to a faucet that does not produce water---hot, cold or both, you could have a frozen pipe. Don't let a frozen pipe become a burst pipe. Try some commonsense solutions before calling a costly plumber.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hairdryer

1. Avoid unpleasant morning "surprises" in the form of frozen pipes, especially during a cold snap, by leaving a few indoor faucets dripping ever so slightly during the overnight hours when the faucets are not in use.

2. Check faucets in the morning, and frequently throughout the day. If either the hot or the cold are operable, leave the working tap at a trickle or a drip. Some of this water might drip down the frozen pipe to slowly melt the blockage. For example, if your hot water doesn't work, leave the cold spigot at a trickle.

3. Feel the pipe wherever exposed to see if you find a particularly cold area. If you do, apply moderate heat, like that from a hairdryer, for a few minutes at a time.

4. Keep your home well heated until the pipe is back in working order. This may cost you a little extra in fuel, but it will be nominal compared to the damage a burst pipe can cause.

5. Continue to leave the affected faucet dripping upon leaving the house for short periods of time. You may also wish to leave the other faucets at a drip to avoid more frozen pipes.

6. Call a plumber if the pipe doesn't thaw using the above approaches, or if the outdoor temperature rises and it still doesn't open up.

Tips & Warnings

• It seems counter-intuitive, but hot water pipes freeze before cold water pipes. If you successfully unfreeze the pipe using the above tactics, be sure to mind it next time the weather dips to similar temperatures. Many pipes run through walls with poor exposure to the sun. If there's any way to find this out (through blueprints, for example), it might help you stay on top of future problems.
• DO NOT use a blow torch to warm up pipes. Many pipes are plastic and will melt. You will also risk setting fire to adjacent drywall and joists.