How to thaw frozen pipes in a wall?

Author: Franco Lowe  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Heating the closest accessible area may work, or you could try heating the section of the wall closest to the frozen pipes. Heat lamps and your thermostat will be the best options. If these don't work, you may have to pop out a section of the wall to get close enough to start the thawing process.

How do you unfreeze pipes you cannot access?

Apply heat to the frozen area

Slowly apply heat using a hair dryer. There are several ways to do this. You can wrap the pipes in thermostatically controlled heat tape, or you can use an external heat source such as a hair dryer or space heater.

How to unfreeze pipes behind a wall?

Use an infrared lamp to heat the wall section where the frozen pipe is located. Heat lamps are a second choice, but infrared lamps are more efficient because theyn'tn't heat the air. Infrared lamps direct their energy toward warming the wall and frozen pipe instead of warming the air that touches the wall.

Will pouring hot water down the drain unfreeze pipes?

In most instances, pouring hot water down the drain will unfreeze drain pipes. However, it's essential to take your time with this method to increase its effectiveness and ensure your safety. Follow these simple steps: Fill a pot with a half-gallon of water and bring it to a boil on the stove.

Is it okay to let frozen pipes thaw on their own?

Frozen Pipes Shouldn't Be Allowed to Thaw on Their Own

The laws of physics say water always takes up more volume as it freezes. When your pipes can no longer contain the expanding ice, they will burst. This not only breaks the pipes and makes your plumbing system unusable, it may cause serious water damage as well.

How to Safely Thaw a Frozen Pipe

Should I turn off water if pipes are frozen?

Thaw Frozen Pipes

Turn off the water immediately at the main shut off valve. Open the faucet so that water will flow through the pipe once the area is melted. This will help melt more ice.

How long will it take for my pipes to unfreeze?

An increase in indoor temperatures can help unfreeze all your indoor pipes, whereas your outdoor pipes may take longer. In many cases though, using the right heating tools can unfreeze your pipes in a matter of 30-45 minutes.

Will turning up the heat unfreeze pipes?

Turn the Heat Upin the Property: You can attempt to thaw the frozen pipe by increasing the temperature in the property. Turning the thermostat up may be all that is needed to allow the ice blockage to melt.

What is the best way to unfreeze plumbing?

Things You Should Know

Warm the pipe with a blow dryer and wrap electrical pipe tape around it to thaw a pipe. Insulate your home and keep the heat on so that it stays at least 55 °F (13 °C) during winter to keep pipes from freezing.

How to find where a pipe is frozen?

Turn on all faucets: Checking each faucet in your home will help you narrow down your search. The faucets that have little or no water pressure likely have a frozen pipe in their supply line. If every faucet is showing low water pressure, the frozen pipe may be near the water meter.

What do plumbers use to unfreeze pipes?

Tip #7: A Thaw Machine Will Be Your Savior

It's exactly what it sounds like: a portable device that plumbers use to thaw pipes quickly.

How do I unfreeze my hidden pipes in my house?

Apply heat to the pipe.

You can also use a small heater or heat lamp. If there is no electrical outlet, boil some water and soak a few towels in it. Wrap the pipe with these towels. When the towels cool, repeat the process until the pipe is completely thawed.

What do I do if my pipes are still frozen after 2 days?

If your pipes have been frozen for more than two days, shut down your home's water supply. Locate the frozen length using touch, sight and sound. Make sure the pipe hasn't burst, and open indoor faucets. Unfreeze the pipe using a hair dryer, heat tape, space heater or heating pad.

How do you unfreeze a pipe behind a wall?

Or you can hook up a lamp to warm the area. Infrared lights work best because they don't warm the air, just the pipes behind the wall. If the pipe is exposed, you can heat it with a hairdryer. It's important to defrost from the faucet backwards; it will enable the water to drain out as it melts.

Do pipes burst when they freeze or thaw?

Although common, frozen pipes do not always burst. However, the ice can increase this risk when it thaws and is usually worsened as it raises pressure further which makes pipe bursting common near winter's end or springtime. Furthermore, the more water flowing through the pipe, the greater chance of rupture.

What do you do if your hot water pipe is frozen but not cold?

Open a Hot Water Valve

By opening faucets, water will have a path to flow as the pipe unfreezes. Steam will also need a place to go as heat is applied. As the pipe thaws, running water will accelerate the defrosting process. Therefore, it's beneficial to have faucets running until the pipe is completely thawed.

Should I turn my faucet on if my pipes are frozen?

Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

How do you unfreeze pipes without bursting them?

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.

Will pouring hot water down sink unfreeze pipes?

The job goes more quickly by pouring hot water or a mixture of vinegar, baking soda and salt water down the drain. Space heaters, hair dryers and heating pads are highly efficient tools for unfreezing a drain pipe. If a frozen drain line ruptures, turn off your home's main water supply.

How long do pipes take to unfreeze?

Be prepared to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes. When the pipe begins to thaw, water will start flowing at a faster rate through the open faucet. Even after the water pressure is fully restored, it's recommended to keep the heat on the pipe to ensure the ice in the line is completely melted.

Should I turn off the main water supply if my pipes are frozen?

What should I do if my pipes are frozen? The first step you need to take is to shut off your water at the main shutoff valve, usually located at your water meter somewhere near the street, and open (turn on) all of your faucets (inside and outside).

What can you pour down drain to unfreeze pipes?

Here are some tips that can help:
  • Boil water. Boil a generous amount of water and add a cup full of salt to it. ...
  • Baking soda. While the water is boiling, put around ½ a cup of baking powder in the drain. ...
  • Vinegar. Pour one cup of vinegar down the pipe immediately after putting baking soda. ...
  • Pour boiling water. ...
  • Run hot water.

How to find where pipes are frozen?

Start by turning on each faucet in your home. Little to no water pressure is a strong indicator of a frozen pipe. If the water in one or two faucets runs slowly, your frozen pipe is most likely near those faucets.

Will water pipes unfreeze on their own?

Pipes will eventually unfreeze on their own naturally, but this takes far more time and before thawing occurs the freezing could become much worse. This could eventually lead to the pipe bursting and causing significantly more damage. It's better to proactively thaw a frozen pipe size than let it persist.

How do you unfreeze blocked pipes?

If this is the case, feel your walls and ceilings to find it - the surface should feel cold if you have a frozen pipe. Once you have found it, turn up your thermostat and open the doors inside your home so that the warm air can reach the pipe. You could also use a space heater to apply direct heat to the affected area.

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