I left the faucets on while I was away from home in case they did start to thaw. I came home and the faucets were running. Thankfully, nothing overflowed out into the floor, but my tub was full, as were the shower, the sinks and the toilets are close to overflowing. It's like the water has no place to go.
I'm guessing the drain is frozen, and just wonder what I can do to unfreeze it??? Or do I just have to wait til it thaws out and the water starts being able to drain?
Has this happened to anyone else??
Would using anti-freeze on the drains work?
2007-02-11 13:34:28 · 9 answers · asked by stop stalking me! @ psycho 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
turning the heat up isn't a bad idea if the pipes are in a basement. Try ice melt, the finer the pellets the better, pour some in the toilet and plunge them down, say 2 cups. don't put to much in at one time. No more than you can get to plunge through the toilet. It won't hurt them and will dissolve and with any luck it should thaw the ice in the pipes enough to at least get the water moving again. Which is what you want.
You can't really use to much, but it does take some time to work especially if the pipes are full.
2007-02-11 14:13:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing--what a mess!
I'm guessing the first thing to do is thaw out the pipes. We used hair dryers on the elbow part of the pipes. After about 15-30 minutes the water started moving through the pipes again.
So when it is really cold outside (until you can get this permanently repaired) leave a trickle of water running BEFORE it freezes and leave your cabinet doors open so the heat in your home can help keep the pipes warmer.
When you can--wrap those pipes that are near an exterior wall! Most hardware stores can give you help regarding what you need.
Good luck!
PS: The water doesn't have anywhere to go---there is ice blocking the waterway - the pipes.
2007-02-11 21:43:59 · answer #2 · answered by ceetee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
antifreeze at this point might not work any better than boiling water. You didn't leave the toilets running so the only way water is in them is from a clogged sewer line. Turning the heat up to 80 and waiting is the only cheap way of getting out of this mess. I am not sure a plumber could help anymore than that.
2007-02-11 21:50:56 · answer #3 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol down the drain would thaw it quicker than antifreeze. I would use a length of plastic wet-vac tubing to get it right down the drain, rather than diluting the whole tub/sink worth of water.
2007-02-11 21:45:44 · answer #4 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since your asking the question, I can only assume you know nothing about the drains, right? so, call a plumber with a steam line. He can open the line in minutes with this tool. Rooter-router is another one.
2007-02-12 03:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try pouring some hot water in the drains
2007-02-11 21:41:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you live in a house or an apartment?Do you have a basement?Is there access below your bathroom?Like a basement.You can check these pipes below.
2007-02-11 21:47:51 · answer #7 · answered by joeemoosepool 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this sounds familiar,like a question i answered and said to turn up the heat and it will eventually thaw!!!! but someone wasnt paying attention?? i said to open all the valves but first CLOSE the main water supply off ?????????????????? if your able to wait,these will eventually thaw too. but turn the main water off ( NOW ) lol..lol..trying a heat gun or blow dryer may work but where do you start ???? i think do what i said and even a bit more heat... lol...once more--TURN MAIN WATER SUPPLY OFF !!!!!!!!! lol..lol...good luck.
2007-02-11 22:46:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
try a hair dryer or heat gun on the traps if you can get to them
2007-02-11 21:53:37 · answer #9 · answered by darchangel_3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋