Heat guns are highly efficient in thawing sections of frozen pipes. Below is a guide on how to effectively and safely use the tool to keep the water in your home running all winter.
A frozen pipe can be thawed out using a hot water bottle, a heat gun, hair dryer or you can even use a blow torch set to low heat, providing your pipes are metal (do not use a blowtorch on plastic pipes). An outside tap cover is a great idea and can prevent pipes and taps from freezing- Outside tap cover | pr...
An Electrical Heat Source: Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, infrared lamp, electric heating pad, or a specialized heat gun to gently warm the frozen pipe. Start from the end closest to a faucet or other water outlet, moving towards the blockage. This is a sure way how to thaw frozen pipes, and quite safe as well.
Try wrapping an electronic heating pad around the pipe, heating the area with a hair dryer, or both. Towels soaked in hot water will help as well. Apply until water runs normally. If possible, locate the section of pipe that is frozen and thaw it yourself using gentle heat (slowly warm it up).
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.
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.
And once the temperature outside dips below 32F, unprotected pipes are at a greater risk of freezing and potentially bursting. That said, it's still possible for your pipes to thaw without bursting. The key is to release the pressure and allow the pipes to thaw slowly.
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.
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.
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.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Moving water keeps pipes from freezing. Find shut off valves for emergencies. Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Open cupboards and vanities to warm pipes.
#1: Use baking soda and vinegar
Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water. In theory, the blockage should be gone but repeat the process if you experience further problems.
Burst pipes will need to be replaced and a plumber is best equipped to handle the job. The average hourly plumber rate is around $330, depending on where you live and the size of your job. As long as your frozen pipes haven't burst, a plumber will likely charge a flat fee of around $100 to thaw them out.
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.
Refrigerator Thawing
The most common — and most recommended — method for thawing frozen steaks is in the refrigerator. It couldn't be easier, but it requires some forethought. A day before you're going to cook your steaks, just move them to the fridge, still in their vacuum-sealed packaging.
Pipe Wrenches
One type of adjustable wrench is a pipe wrench, the workhorse of a plumber's toolkit. Available in various sizes, they are designed to grip and turn pipes and fittings. Their adjustable jaws provide a strong grip and make loosening or tightening threaded pipes a breeze.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls.
Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water.
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.
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.
It's important to note that you shouldn't fully open your faucets and plumbing fixtures directly after a freeze. This will drastically increase the water pressure within the pipes if there is any frozen water inside them, causing the pipes to burst.
Ask any plumber, "Should I turn off the water if pipes are frozen?" and they'll immediately tell you, "Yes." Locate your main water line and switch the shut-off valve so the flow of water stops. By doing this, you'll reduce the amount of pressure that builds inside your frozen pipes.
Touching the pipes (if possible) can help you identify freezing as they will be especially cold to the touch and might have condensation on the outside. Physically check pipes for signs of freezing by looking for condensation, frost, ice, a slight expansion, or bulges in the pipes.
Should You Drip Faucets In Cold Weather? Yes, according to the Red Cross, the short answer to that question is you should.