2007-02-04 01:39:29 · 16 answers · asked by blossom_48_2000 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It depends on whether they're made of plastic or metal; i.e. copper, etc. If they're metal, they will withstand more heat than plastic. A hairdryer might work, or if you have electric outlets close to your pipes, you can buy heat tape and wrap them and it heats up when the temperature drops below freezing.
2007-02-04 01:49:51 · answer #1 · answered by ♫ frosty ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, your frozen water pipes are already UNthawed. You want to thaw them out, not UN thaw them. Unthaw would be the same as frozen.
i used to have the same problem in my crawl space when the winter temperatures would drop down to 10 degrees or so for several days. The problem was that there was a slight draft blowing in from the back door to the crawl space. By rebuilding teh door and weatherstripping it I was able to pretty much solve the problem.
When the pipes DID get frozen, I actually used a propane torch and ran it back and forth along the pipes until the ice melted. I have a well and the line coming in from the well is plastic and connected into the line is a brass check valve. Mny times the check valve would freeze, or the small diameter nipple connected to the pump control would freeze, so I would have to run the torch over all these things until the ice broke up and the water started moving again. Finally I got the bright idea of hooking up a few 100 watt light bulbs in clamp-on reflectors, and clamped these onto the pipes in areas when it was likely to freeze. Just this slight additional warmth was enough to keep the pipes from freezing. When the temperatures dropped in a cold snap I would turn on the lights and leave them on for as many days as it took for the weather to warm slightly, and it worked. Saved me a lot of aggravation, like standing in the shower all soaped up and having the water suddenly stop. The light bulbs were a fast and easy cheap fix and worked great.
2007-02-04 20:27:43 · answer #2 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a heat gun, start running that up and down the pipes, or try a hair dryer. Then put insulation on the pipes. At night if this is a problem open the faucet to drip slowly through out the night to keep the water moving. It will probably be a long process, but it will work after some time and effort.
2007-02-04 09:45:03 · answer #3 · answered by shaman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom has that problem every year. She has gotten to the point that when it's calling for temperatures around freezing she'll leave the sinks dripping as to not let the water in the pipes sit and freeze. If she does'nt do this they freeze and when the water unfreezes it busts the pipes everytime. As far as telling you how to unthaw them, don't have a clue! Maybe a hair dryer or something? Good luck.
2007-02-04 09:46:49 · answer #4 · answered by ?Dodger1125 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A regular Lincoln arc welder does it perfectly. You tie one end to unfrozen copper and the other end to frozen side. Set the welder at low amps and wait 5 minutes for it to unthaw. You can do it with any type of arc welder, even the 110 volt ones that sell for around $75.
2007-02-04 13:15:37 · answer #5 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only one way...find someway to apply heat, or wait it out. The only cure for ice is warmth. A space heater is the best bet, but keep and eye on it. No fires, please. After they thaw this time, get some pipe insulation to help prevent this in the future. You can also leave a faucet running slightly when you anticipate sevre cold weather. Running water in much much more difficult to freeze.
2007-02-04 10:49:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The other suggestions are all good ways to get them unfrozen. Just be sure you don't have any cracks or breaks. When they unthaw you may have a nightmare!! Also, let faucets drip when it is very very cold to prevent freezing. Wow, we wondered where winter was, HERE IT IS!!
2007-02-04 15:00:53 · answer #7 · answered by D Marie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are copper use an electric welder attached to them to melt the ice
if they are plastic hang a light bulb near them or use a hair dryer you can also purchase heat tape that will warm the pipe melting the ice
2007-02-04 18:22:11 · answer #8 · answered by fortyninertu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a hair dryer. Hold it on the pipes.
It was very cold last night. We kept the fawcet dripping, opened the cupboard doors for warmth. It usually prevents the pipes from freezing.
2007-02-04 09:43:16 · answer #9 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wrap the pipe with a heating pad that you would use for your back.
2007-02-05 01:15:34 · answer #10 · answered by wills 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋