2006-12-01 03:54:24 · 6 answers · asked by LORI M 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
With a hair dryer you need to know the location of the freeze. A hair dryer isn't very hot. If you have hot water, try turning on the hot water to a fast drip then open the cold all the way.
Do you have copper pipes? Watch out because sometimes a freeze will cause them to burst.
2006-12-01 06:47:21 · answer #1 · answered by captbob552 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pipes that freeze are usually on an external wall and not on the inside walls of a house...otherwise it would've had to have been real cold in there. I used a heat gun, much like a hair dryer but much stronger. Be careful though as insullation close by can catch fire.
Also, are you heating up the right location? Once you do get the water to flow, make sure that you insulate that pipe in that area and check to see if you have any foundation/wall opennings where cold air might be getting in to free that pipe.
Last resort, and I do not recommend it if you are not a very good handy person, is to use the plumbers torch and really heat up the pipe. Stay away from existing solder connections as the solder may loosen and you will have to clean, sand and resolder the connection properly afterwards to avoid leaks. Best wishes...
2006-12-01 13:04:01 · answer #2 · answered by Paul J 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you tried turning up the heat in your home? The pipes in my house froze one year and the hair dryer thing didn't really work. I had to turn on the water faucet just a trickle and crank up the heat. My dad also installed more insulation and "heat tape" and that really helped a lot. You need to get the heat close to where the ice is in your pipes.
I hope this works out for you!
2006-12-01 12:04:14 · answer #3 · answered by jmrob29 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First...turn off your water supply before the pipe cracks.
Second...block the source of the cold from the outside (ie. insulate)
Third...break out the butane torch. It's worth the $10 if you don't already have one.
2006-12-01 15:18:12 · answer #4 · answered by Im Smrt 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep it up! Then when you DO get them unfrozen, keep a 'naked' light bulb next to them -preferrebly hi-wattage- this certainly helps me... of course it depends on where you live. Otherwise go to the hardware store and buy piipe insulation and wrap them up tight!!
2006-12-01 12:37:50 · answer #5 · answered by TRE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg if you dont open all your faucets the pipe will burst when it thaws...freezing expands water......and when you try to thaw it the expanded water might burst....
2006-12-02 12:51:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋