How to thaw frozen pipes gently to prevent them from bursting

• If water stops flowing or water pressure drops in the winter, it may be the result of a frozen pipe.
• Be sure to thaw frozen pipes gradually to keep them from bursting.
• A space heater or hairdryer can help thaw pipes gently but never use an open flame.

Frozen pipes aren't just an inconvenience; they can lead to major water damage and expensive plumbing repairs. While frozen pipes can easily occur in older, drafty homes, unusually cold weather could also cause the pipes in your newer house to freeze for the first time.

Knowing how to properly thaw frozen pipes can help to prevent the resulting damage. Brahm Trim, a plumber with The Gentlemen Pros, and Mark Snell, CEO of Polestar Plumbing, share their expert advice about how to best deal with frozen pipes.

How to know pipes are frozen

Several factors can cause the pipes in your house to freeze. If the temperatures in the areas where pipes are installed drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it's possible for the water in the pipes to begin to freeze. Lack of insulation or a thermostat that's set too low can also lead to frozen pipes.

According to Trim, if your pipes are frozen, you'll probably notice that you have no water or very little water pressure. "If you have very little pressure, keep your tap open," Trim recommends. "If there is a little water getting through, this will help to thaw the line and restore the flow."

To determine which pipes are frozen, you'll need to trace the pipes back from the faucets where you're getting little or no water. You can look for other signs, too. Snell explains that you may be able to see ice on the exterior of your pipes, but this is only helpful if the pipes aren't concealed within a wall. Snell notes that you can also look for signs of leaking water, which may indicate that a frozen pipe has burst.

Important: Never use an open flame to thaw pipes. According to Trim, open flames pose a fire hazard, and if the pipe isn't metal, you can permanently damage it with open flame. Heating a frozen pipe too quickly can increase the chance of it bursting, potentially leading to water damage and requiring the pipe to be replaced.

How to thaw frozen pipes

When problems become too big for home remedies, it's always best to call a plumber to help. But depending on your pipes' location and how frozen they are, you may be able to thaw them out yourself.

Regardless of where your pipes are, it's important to thaw them gradually, since fast heating can cause the pipes to burst. The exact steps you take will depend on whether the pipes are exposed or concealed in the wall or ceiling.

Thawing exposed pipes

Your exposed pipes will often be in your kitchen cabinets, within your bathroom vanity, in your attic, or in your basement. Since these areas tend to be cooler and have less insulation, these pipes are often the first to freeze.

You can use various tools to thaw exposed pipes:

• Hairdryer: Use a hairdryer to gradually warm up the pipe length. Be sure to move the hairdryer up and down the pipe so you don't concentrate too much heat in one area, which could cause the pipe to crack. This method takes time and effort but can be effective.
• Space heater: Positioning a space heater near the frozen pipe can help to thaw it, but focus on providing gradual warm heat, not hot direct heat. A heater can be effective when you have a pipe in a smaller enclosed space that's easily heated. Be sure to follow all of the heater's safety precautions and keep a close eye on the process.
• Heat tape: Electrically powered heat tape (sometimes called heat cable) is designed to be wrapped around frozen pipes, and it then provides a continuous low heat. Heat tape can be very effective and is ideal when you have a long run of frozen pipe. It can also be used as a preventative measure for pipes that are prone to freezing.
• Thermostat: Though a less acute solution, mildly frozen pipes may benefit from an overall warmer temperature in the house. Keep the room with the frozen pipe warmer, and open up any cupboards or doors so the warm air circulates to the pipe.

Thawing pipes in the wall or ceiling

Thawing pipes in your wall or ceiling can be a bit more challenging. Trim encourages you to try to identify why the pipes are freezing. If the pipes are touching a freezing outer wall or if there's an opening to the outside that's creating a draft, fixing these issues can help you to thaw the pipes.

• Thermostat: Turning up the heat in your home can carry over into your walls and ceilings. This method can be effective, but it can also take hours or days to work.
• Space heater: If there are vents in the wall or ceiling near the frozen pipe, you may be able to position a heater that has a fan near those vents. The heater can blow warm air into the space, gradually warming the pipe. Whether or not this works will depend on just where the pipe is frozen, where the vets are, and how large the space is.
• Expose the pipe. In certain circumstances, you may need to cut a hole into the drywall or ceiling. With a hole created, you can direct the warm air from the heater toward the frozen pipe or try one of the above methods for thawing exposed pipe.

Quick tip: If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve to stop the water, then call a plumber. The plumber will need to replace the pipe and may be able to offer you some tips to help keep it from freezing in the future. Clean up the water immediately to prevent water damage.

How to prevent water pipes from freezing

To prevent pipes from freezing in the future, focus on ways to keep them warm:

• Add insulation to exposed pipes.
• Keep your home at a higher temperature in the winter.
• Identify and fix areas where there are drafts.
• Add insulation to your walls and ceiling.

Insider's takeaway

If you have frozen pipes in your home, it can be tempting to try to heat them up as quickly as possible, but this could cause them to burst. Instead, use tools like a hairdryer, space heater, and even your home's thermostat to gradually warm the pipes. If you feel that the job is too big for you to handle, or if your pipes burst, call a plumber for additional help.