First thing let s talk about how to do this job safely.
How to thaw pipes in attic.
If the frozen pipe is located in an area you can easily access you have several options for attempting to thaw the pipe.
Thawing exposed pipes.
An easy and safe way to thaw a pipe yourself is to use a high power hairdryer.
Once you have located the frozen pipe you are ready to start thawing the pipe.
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out suspect a frozen pipe.
Otherwise you can thaw out the pipe by wrapping the pipe in a single layer of thermal tape or blowing air from a hair dryer back and forth across the pipe.
The key is to know how your plumbing system works.
Frozen pipes can crack or burst because as water freezes it expands.
D uring cold weather pipes in your walls attic or under your floor can freeze.
The tool i like to use for thawing pipe is a simple hair dryer.
If you need to unfreeze water pipes leave your faucets open slightly to help thaw out the pipes.
How to thaw frozen water pipes.
With enough expansion pipes will develop cracks.
How to thaw frozen pipes.
Where does the wate.
Here s why it won t get hot enough to create steam in the pipe.
Ways to thaw a frozen pipe.
How to thaw frozen pipes.
You should continue to apply the heat until the water escaping from the faucet returns to full strength.
Adding additional attic insulation can improve your home s energy efficiency and help prevent other winter problems like condensation.
For exposed pipes like those in attics or crawl spaces inexpensive foam pipe insulation is usually sufficient.
If you find a leak close the main shut off valve to your house and call a plumber immediately.
Thawing frozen pipes with a hair dryer.
As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt water will begin to flow.
You can thaw frozen pipes using the various methods and plumbing tools described below.
Fixing frozen pipes in the attic or crawl space is more complicated.
If the pipe hasn t ruptured or broken thawing the frozen pipe is relatively easy.
Keep the faucet open.
Here are four options for thawing an exposed pipe.
Before anything else turn off the water supply to the frozen pipe.
Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape from 50 to 200 depending on length is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot.
You can supplement this with blown in insulation or rolled insulation throughout your attic.
Frozen pipes in crawl space or attic.
