How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

You woke up to find that you have frozen pipes... now what do you do?! Frozen pipes aren't all that uncommon during the winter months but that doesn't mean they are any less stressful. Outside of preventative measures, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the thawing process.

The first step can be a little tricky, you'll need to locate where the freeze is actually at. The most effective way to do this is to test each faucet. If no water or a very small amount trickles out, chances are the pipe leading to that spot is frozen. A majority of the time if one pipe is frozen, there are others also affected. If you are able to see pipes, like in the basement or under sinks, you may be able to identify it that way as well. Frozen plumbing will oftentimes result in a white frost and bludge at the problem area. If you are able to access the frozen area, you're in luck and have easier thawing options. 

Once located, you will want to open both the hot and cold sides of the faucets that are running off the frozen pipes.  By opening the faucet you allow the pressure to be released. This is also a good progress monitor since you will be able to gauge the water flow as melting happens. With the faucet now open you can actively begin to thaw the pipe. You should plan to always begin at the top of the frozen area. Beginning below can cause more pressure in the pipe and increase the risk of rupturing your pipe and the need for emergency plumbing repairs. 

For pipes that are exposed, you have a couple of easy thawing methods. Using a hairdryer or space heater are two of the most common approaches. Hairdryers are a more direct option but do need to be held to the pipe which can be tiring for the arm if you are holding it. If using a space heater, you should get it as close to the frozen pipe as possible. You should be mindful to follow safety measures and keep anything away from heat that could cause a fire. Wrapping the pipe in hot towels can also help melt the ice blockage. 

Unfortunately, if you are unable to reach the frozen plumbing, thawing isn't quite as easy. You should start by turning up the heat in the property. Because this isn't a direct heat source, it won't be a quick resolution. If you happen to own an infrared lamp or can find one for rent, positioning it directly in front of the affected pipe can melt it faster. The infrared technology allows the heat to penetrate the wall and reach the ice. If you don't have infrared accessibility and higher heat isn't doing the trick, you may need to cut out a section of your wall. You will want to be sure you are as close to the frozen area as possible. After cutting, you can use one of the exposed pipe methods we discussed above. 

It's important to remember never to use an open flame to resolve the frozen plumbing. Not only does this increase the risk of starting a fire, but can do severe damage to your plumbing. If you experience frozen plumbing, you should have your residential or commercial plumbing inspected for damage after thawing. Prestige Plumbing of the Dover Massillon Ohio area offers video plumbing inspections to diagnosis any areas that could now be weak and need replacing. If your pipes burst or you are uncomfortable thawing yourself, you should call for emergency plumbing response from Prestige Plumbing.