How to Fix Frozen Drain Pipes
In freezing conditions pipes that run outdoors can easily freeze, and frozen water can then create a blockage in your pipes. If it's an extremely cold morning and no water comes out of your faucets, then you most likely have frozen pipes. It's important to determine where the frozen blockage is occurring in your pipes before taking action. Once you locate the frozen pipe outside, you must then decide on the safest and most accessible way to unfreeze the pipe using a heat source. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Locate the blockage in your pipes. Blockage normally occurs in pipes located in your basement, crawl space, or any pipes that run outside your house. Go to the pipes in the cabinet under the sink and loosen the nut that connects the drain line to the bottom of the sink, using adjustable pliers. You can then undo the rest of the pipe with your hands. Follow the pipe to the area where it's located on the outside of your house.
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Determine how you want to melt the ice using tools you have. For example, you can use a heat gun, heating pad, heat lamp, hair dryer, or propane torch. You must be especially careful if you use a torch because it will melt the ice quickly and could damage other materials near the frozen pipe. If you use a hair dryer, plug it into an outlet and then blow it over the pipe at a distance of at least 1 ft.
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Slowly melt the ice off the pipe until you see water dripping. It's better to start melting the ice and let the process continue on its own rather than applying the heat treatment until all the ice falls off.
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Return to the opened the faucet and place a large bucket under the opening. Wait at least one hour to allow the ice to drain into the bucket. Continue heating the pipe for short periods if there's still blockage.
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Close your pipe after all of the water has melted and drained. Place foam insulation sleeves around your outside pipes. Make sure the insulation is placed at least 12 inches below the frost line, which is the depth in the soil where freezing occurred in the pipe.
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