Will Frozen Pipes Thaw on Their Own?

Waking up to see your pipes frozen with ice all over them is a sight no homeowner would like to see. Now, you may think to leave the pipe alone so it can thaw over time and the freezing problem will be over, but this is not a good idea. Instead of waiting it out, it’s time to be proactive. Water tends to expand when it freezes, and with it being contained inside a pressurized pipe, it can burst at any second. A burst pipe is so much worse than a frozen pipe, so do what you can to locate the freezing point as much as possible so you can start doing whatever you can to thaw the ice off. If you need help with pipe repair in case of an unexpected burst, call Mr. Rooter Plumbing. A professional plumber is always ready to help.

Locate the Frozen Pipe

Before you can thaw the frozen pipe, you have to first find where the ice actually is. Open each faucet in your house and check to see if the water is running smoothly or if there are any leaks that went by unnoticed. If there is little or no water flow when you turn on the faucet, there is likely to be an ice clump in the pipe. Depending on which faucet has a lack of water flow, follow the pipes that connect to the faucet. If none of the faucets have a substantial water flow, the freeze is most likely near the water main.

Regardless of whether the ice blockage is in one pipe or in the water main, it’s important to shut off the water source if you notice any leaks. There is a possibility of having a burst pipe, so if you spot any leaks when you begin thawing, close the main water shut-off valve immediately.

How To Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you’re dealing with an exposed pipe, the thawing process is quite easy. Before you begin, make sure to open the faucet at the end of the pipeline so that it can help loosen the ice and it can help indicate if you’re making any progress. Next, begin to apply a heating source of your choice to the ice. This may be a heating pad, a blow dryer, or a regular space heater. Avoid any matches or any other tool that has an open flame. Make sure to never leave the site unattended if you’re in the middle of thawing the ice.

If the frozen pipe is located inside a wall, there are a few techniques you can use to thaw the ice. You can place an infrared lamp on the wall close to the pipe or you can try turning up the temperature of the thermostat in your home. If none of these seem to be melting the ice, you can call a plumber to access the pipe inside the wall. They will most likely cut out a section of your drywall to reach the frozen pipe. You can try this method yourself as well, then proceed to thaw the ice using the heating methods mentioned above.

If You Need a Helping Hand…

Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing for other situations in which a frozen pipe may be found, such as having a frozen pipe underground or having a drain pipe freeze. Our pipe repair services are executed with great care and attention to detail. If you ever have trouble thawing the ice blockage in your pipes or need a pipe replacement because of a burst pipe, Mr. Rooter Plumbing can help ease your panic.