Gradually Heat the Drain Pipes

If you know the exact location where your drain lines are frozen, warm the pipes gradually to melt the ice. Use some form of electrical equipment, such as a space heater or hair dryer to thaw frozen drain lines. Place a space heater in the direction of the frozen drain lines and gently warm the pipes until the ice has melted. Be careful not to place the appliance too close to the pipe, as this may cause further damage to the pipe.

If you do not have access to a space heater or hair dryer, you can wrap the pipe in a heating pad on a medium setting and move it along the pipe as it thaws. Another alternative is to wrap a hot towel around the pipe and leave it to thaw the frozen drain line.

Caution: Never hold an open flame, blowtorch, or candle near a frozen drain pipe. This will not only cause further damage to the pipe, but it can also be a serious fire hazard.

Turn Up the Heat

This is one of the safest ways to unfreeze drains in the winter. Simply increase the temperature on the thermostat to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and open up kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warm air get to the drain lines.

How to Prevent Freezing Drains

• Find and seal holes and cracks where the drain lines go through walls or floors to prevent cold air from entering your home and keep the heat contained within the space.
• Wrap heating tape on the drain lines running along the exterior of the house to decrease the likelihood that the pipes will freeze.
• Apply insulation to drain lines in areas of your home that are susceptible to lower temperatures.
• Set your thermostat to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure there’s enough heat in your house to keep your drains from freezing.
• Keep your garage doors closed if there are drain lines running through the garage
• If there are drain lines located in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, leave the doors open to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.

Need Help With Unfreezing Drains? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Thawing frozen drain lines needs to be done correctly to avoid pipe damage and water damage in your home. If you’re not sure how it should be done, it’s a good idea to call an experienced plumber to help you out. When you’re in need of frozen pipe repair in your home or business, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing is a top-rated plumbing and drain cleaning company that offers a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, we’ve built a solid reputation for offering dependable services. Some of the services we offer include frozen pipe repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair & replacement, hydro-jetting, preventive maintenance services, plumbing repair, and many more.