Frozen pipes are costly, messy hassle, but Indiana's cold winters mean they're something you should be prepared for. By knowing how to thaw pipes safely and efficiently, you can prevent ruptures and resulting damage.
Start by shutting off your home's water supply at the main shutoff valve. Open the nearest faucet to let steam escape. Pile rags or other absorbent material under the pipe in case it leaks.
Start thawing the pipe at the faucet side and work toward the end of the frozen section. This lets steam escape through the faucet rather than becoming trapped in the pipe. To safely thaw frozen pipes, try:
- Warm water – Wrap a heavy towel, old blanket or burlap sack around the frozen pipes and secure it. Place a bucket under the pipe to catch runoff, then pour lukewarm (not hot) water over the cloth. Repeat until the pipes have thawed.
- Garden hose – Remove the drain trap and feed a garden hose into the pipe until it hits ice. Pour lukewarm water into the hose through a funnel. Until the pipe is clear, the water will back up, so have a bucket ready.
- Electric heat tape (heating cable) – Plug the tape into a GFCI-protected grounded electrical socket and wrap it around the pipe. If you live in a mobile home, use only tape certified for mobile home use. Never wrap heat tape so it overlaps or it may overheat and catch fire.
- Hair dryer – Plug a hair dryer into a GFCI-protected outlet and stand on dry ground. Turn on the hair dryer and blow warm air up and down the pipe lengthwise. Don't heat only one area or the pipe may crack. When water trickles out of the faucet, let it flow to clear the pipe, then close the faucet to check for leaks. Never use a hair dryer if you suspect leaks or cracks.
For more guidance on caring for your pipes, water heater, heating system and other home comfort products and issues, contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Since 1963, we've been providing the Fort Wayne area with reliable HVAC services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about preparing your pipes and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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