How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

When the temperatures drop, all kinds of things can go wrong. The risk of pipes freezing is a serious concern for many homeowners. At the very least, frozen pipes are a serious inconvenience. At worst, these pipes can burst and create a major mess in your home that costs a small fortune to clean up. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to prevent this issue and to thaw pipes if they’ve already frozen.

For starters, take a proactive approach by cracking the faucets whenever you know a cold snap is coming. A slow, steady drip is enough to keep the water moving in the pipes, and won’t waste much water at all.

If you’re past this point and the pipes have already frozen, here’s what you need to do.

Assess the Situation

First, you should assess what is going on. Are all of your pipes frozen, or is it just one or two of them? Perhaps the kitchen is fine but the upstairs bathroom is frozen because the pipes run over the porch on their way up. Identify what’s frozen and where. This can be done by turning on faucets and seeing which ones work and which ones don’t.

Turn off the Water

Now, you’ll want to find the main water supply valve and turn it to the “off” position. Go back through the house and open all the faucets, including the tubs and showers. Flush the toilets, too. This will drain the majority of the water from the system so you don’t flood your home trying to thaw the pipe

Heat the Pipe

If you cannot access the pipes, you can place a space heater near them, or in a room that is struggling to get water. You can also turn your thermostat up to help the pipes thaw on your own. If it’s possible, your best option is to heat the pipes directly so that you can get water flow restored.

This can be done with a heating pad, hair dryer, heat lamp, or any other way you can get heat onto the pipes. Be careful to start slowly, and start on the side nearest the faucet first.

Make sure that you turn the water back on slowly after you complete this process. That will help you identify potential leaks and ensure the frozen pipes are thawed before you turn on the full water pressure to prevent bursting or other issues. If you don’t have success or you think the problem is more complex than you can handle, call Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing, and let them take care of it.