Thawing frozen pipes

Unless your water pipes freeze at night while your family is asleep (and this is often the case), you may recognize that your pipes are beginning to freeze by a reduction in water pressure. At this point, action should be taken immediately. If the pipes are allowed to freeze completely, blocking the flow of water, the pipes are likely to burst. Water expands as it turns into ice, and there is only so much room in the pipe. When the water expands beyond what the pipe can handle, the pipe may burst.

If you can catch the situation before the pipes freeze completely, you are in luck. Turn the water on and leave it on. The flowing water will help thaw the frozen obstruction in the pipe. If you were not so lucky, more extreme measures must be taken.

1. Before thawing frozen pipes, check to see if they have burst or are leaking. You will need to make repairs before thawing the ice in the pipes.
   
   
2. Shut off the water supply to the pipe. If there is no valve in the line to allow you do this locally, shut off the flow of water to your whole house at the main water cut-off valve.
   
   
3. Open a couple of faucets to provide an outlet for melting ice or steam.
   
   
4. Work back toward the water supply from the faucet side of the frozen area. Several methods can be used to do the actual thawing. They all require caution, however. The pipes must not be heated too quickly, and the water in the pipes must not be allowed to boil. The resulting steam pressure in the pipes could cause them to burst. Do not allow the pipe to become too hot to touch. Plastic pipe should be warmed with particular care. The following are some options:
   
   
   • You can wrap rags around the pipe in the frozen area and pour hot water on the rags. Keep the wet rags hot by pouring more hot water on them as they cool.
     
     
   • Wrap a grounded, heat strip around the frozen pipe.
     
     
   • Use a hairdryer focused on the frozen area of the pipe.
     
     
   • Use a space heater directed to the frozen area of pipe.