3 Methods for Thawing Frozen Pipes at Home
Frozen pipes can be a homeowner's nightmare, but there are effective methods to thaw them safely. This article presents expert-recommended techniques for addressing this common winter issue. From heating pads to warm towels and hair dryers, discover practical solutions to restore water flow in your home.
- Use Heating Pad for Safe Pipe Thawing
- Wrap Frozen Pipes with Warm Towels
- Apply Hair Dryer or Space Heater
Use Heating Pad for Safe Pipe Thawing
After buying and maintaining dozens of properties in Augusta's unpredictable winters, I've found the safest thawing method is to wrap the frozen pipe with a heating pad set on low, checking it every 10–15 minutes. I always leave the faucet open so melted water has somewhere to go, and I steer clear of anything like torches or boiling water—slow and steady really wins here. Once, using this approach in a rental, I was able to thaw the pipe gradually and avoid a costly burst, which made both my tenants and my wallet happy.
Wrap Frozen Pipes with Warm Towels
In my experience with homes around Dayton, my first step is to wrap the frozen pipe with warm towels soaked in hot water and refresh them every few minutes—this method is gentle and avoids any risk from direct heat sources. I always keep the faucet open just a bit, so as the ice melts, water can start moving through, which helps relieve any pressure. And I encourage folks to check the area closely for leaks, since a slow, careful thaw can reveal any small cracks before they become real problems.
Apply Hair Dryer or Space Heater
I've had the best luck using a hair dryer or a space heater for this, especially if I'm able to identify exactly where (or the general area) the pipe is frozen. Hair dryers really get the job done well and fairly quickly, so if I need a pipe unfrozen quickly, I'll just aim the hair dryer at the frozen spot for a few minutes until things start moving again. However, for slowly thawing pipes and preventing it from happening again, placing a space heater in the area (while monitoring it) tends to be your best bet.
