How to Clear Frozen Drain Pipes

Pour heated water down the sewer pipes to loosen the blockage.

As sewer drain pipes are not usually insulated, very adverse cold weather conditions can freeze the waste in the pipes, causing problematic backups. As in most cases, the easiest solutions should be tried first, being the application of hot water and then a hair dryer. After that, an electric heater, electrical tape and pipe-thawing machine can be used, though these devices are not common household items and have to be either rented or purchased.

Things You'll Need

• Heated water
• Extension cord
• Hair dryer
• Electric heater
• Electrical heat tape
• Pipe-thawing machine

Instructions

1. Boil at least 2 gallons of water, wait for it to cool for 5 minutes and then slowly pour it down the sink hole that the blocked drainpipe is attached to. If a toilet sewer line is blocked, pour the water into the toilet bowl, then flush. If the water is slowly disappearing down the drain, boil more water, let it sit for 5 minutes and then pour it down the drain. Repeat this process until the drainpipe is clear.

2. Run an extension cord to the frozen area of sewer pipe and plug in a household hair dryer. Turn on the hair dryer and adjust it to its hottest setting. Move the dryer, by hand, up and down the frozen section of sewer pipe for 20 minutes. If the blockage has not cleared, repeat the process for another 20 minutes, or until the sewer pipe is clear.

3. Run an extension cord and plug in an electric heater. Turn the heater to it hottest setting and place the heater close to the blocked section of sewer pipe. This process may take several hours for the pipe to heat up and loosen the blockage.

4. Wrap electrical heat tape around the blocked area of pipe and plug it into an extension cord. Though this takes some time to remove the blockage, the tape can be kept in place (or kept turned on) for future possible blockages.

5. Place the clamps of a pipe-thawing machine onto the sewer pipe at each end of the blocked section. Turn on the thawing machine and wait for the pipe to heat up. Again, this process will probably take several hours to work.

References

• Inspectapedia: De-Winterizing Guide: How To Restore Water Supply Piping, Drain Piping, Water Pumps, Tanks, Heaters to Use