The pipes in the house are frozen how do we unfreeze them?

Answer 1

Several approaches:

1. Bring the inside temperature of the house to at least 72 degrees. Locate your water shutoff valve and be prepared to turn off the water to the house.
2. Open all cabinets and doors to any area that contains a fixture (tub, shower, toilet, lavatory, sink, washing machine, icemaker, dishwasher, etc.) Open all faucets just a little bit to see when they start flowing. Flush the toilet and see if it refills.
3. Get your hair dryer and an extension cord. Turn it on high and point it at the faucet or water line where the water comes out first.
4. Gradually move the heat along the water supply line toward the floor or wall. You cannot thaw the middle of the water line first. Gotta thaw where it runs out first.
5. If the pipes thaw out and just start running again, you may be OK.
6. If you start seeing water come out of the pipe but not going into a drain, you have a broken pipe. Shut off water to the house and get a plumber to repair the broken pipe. Have towels available to clean up the water.

Answer 2

The only way to un-freeze an entire house is to turn the heat up to at least 80` and wait..A fan to move the air around the pipes won't hurt..If it is the cellar you might get a good electric heater and do the same thing with the fan..There are better devices to heat the cellar but if you are not accustomed to using them you might burn the house down..This will take at least 12 hours.

Answer 3

open all taps,shut off main water supply valve and crank up the heat for as long as neccesary.. check for leaking pipes periodically..

Answer 4

this is when you get the leaks, you must be there when you un-freeze the pipes. Warm the rooms up

Answer 5

Open the faucet. Use a heat gun or blow dryer. DO NOT use a torch.

Answer 6

you are screwed! call a plumber