How to thaw frozen pipes

Steps

Goal: Thaw the frozen pipe safely and restore water flow.

• Open the faucet that the frozen pipe feeds. Both hot and cold.
• Good: Faucet is open. Proceed to Locate the frozen section.
• Bad: You see water spraying—the pipe may have burst. Shut off the main and call a plumber.

Locate the frozen section

Goal: Find where the ice is so you can apply heat.

• Feel along the pipe. The frozen section will feel colder or have frost.
• Good: You have identified the frozen area. Proceed to Apply heat.
• Bad: Pipe is behind a wall—apply heat to the accessible parts or call a plumber.

Apply heat

Goal: Melt the ice gradually without damaging the pipe.

• Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or hot towels. Start at the faucet, work toward the frozen section.
• Never use an open flame. Move the heat source slowly.
• Good: Water begins to trickle, then flow. Proceed to Check for leaks.
• Bad: No flow after 30 minutes—the freeze may be in an inaccessible area; call a plumber.

Check for leaks

Goal: Confirm the pipe and joints are intact after thawing.

• Inspect the pipe and fittings for drips or spray.
• Good: No leaks. Proceed to Verification.
• Bad: Leak at a joint or crack—shut off the supply and call a plumber.

When to get help

Call a plumber if:

• The pipe has burst or is spraying water.
• The frozen section is behind a wall and you cannot access it.
• You have thawed the pipe but water still does not flow (may be a different blockage).

Verification

• Full water flow at the faucet.
• No leaks at joints or along the pipe.
• Pipes in cold areas are insulated to reduce future freezing risk.