If your pipes are frozen, you need to thaw them slowly and safely while watching closely for leaks or bursts.

Quick Scoop: How do you unfreeze pipes?

First: Safety checks

  • Turn off the main water if you suspect a burst (water stains, bulging drywall, hissing, or visible split pipe).
  • Never use an open flame (propane torch, grill, etc.) on pipes; this is a major fire risk and can destroy the pipe.
  • Keep electrical tools (hair dryer, heat gun, space heater) away from standing water and drips to avoid shock.

Step‑by‑step: How to unfreeze exposed pipes

These steps are for pipes you can see, like in basements, under sinks, or along exterior walls.

  1. Open the faucet
    • Open both hot and cold taps on the affected line. This relieves pressure and gives melted water somewhere to go.
  1. Find the frozen section
    • Look in cold spots: exterior walls, crawl spaces, basements, garages, attics.
 * A frozen section may feel very cold, be frosted, or sound “solid” if tapped.
  1. Start warming near the faucet end first
    • Thaw from the faucet toward the colder, deeper part of the pipe so steam and water can escape safely.
  1. Use gentle, steady heat (choose one or combine)
    • Hair dryer: Aim warm air at the pipe, moving slowly along it, especially near the faucet side.
 * Heating pad: Wrap an electric heating pad around the pipe and leave it on low to medium heat.

 * Hot towels: Soak towels in hot water, wring them out, wrap them around the pipe, and swap as they cool.

 * Space heater / heat lamp: Place it several feet away so it warms the area, not just one tiny spot, and keep it away from anything flammable.
  1. Be patient—don’t overheat
    • The goal is slow, even warming; big temperature shocks can crack some materials.
 * Keep the faucet open and continue until full flow and normal pressure return, then let it run a few minutes to clear leftover ice.
  1. Check for leaks as it thaws
    • As soon as water starts flowing, inspect the pipe and surrounding areas for drips or spraying; a frozen pipe can already be cracked and only show after thawing.

What if the pipe is inside a wall or ceiling?

If you can’t see the pipe, you still have some options before calling a plumber.

  • Turn up the thermostat a few degrees and keep it steady to warm the whole house.
  • Open cabinet and closet doors under sinks or along cold walls so warm air reaches hidden pipes.
  • Aim a space heater or infrared lamp at the section of wall or floor where you suspect the frozen pipe (keep it supervised and away from flammables).
  • If no water returns, or you hear unusual hissing, dripping, or see bulges in walls/ceilings, call a licensed plumber; cutting into a wall or dealing with a hidden burst is not a good DIY move.

Methods to avoid (common advice from pros & forums)

Professionals and plumbing forums consistently warn against “quick fixes” that cause bigger problems.

  • No open flames (propane torches, lighters, blow torches).
  • Don’t overheat PVC or PEX with very hot devices like industrial heat guns; they can warp or melt.
  • Don’t hammer or hit pipes to “break the ice”—you’re more likely to crack the pipe.
  • Avoid leaving unmonitored space heaters close to combustibles or running them in damp areas where they can tip or get wet.

On plumbing forums, many pros also point out that if you’ve lost water in multiple locations or aren’t sure where your shutoff is, it’s usually safer and cheaper in the long run to get a plumber out quickly.

Extra: How to prevent pipes from freezing next time

Once you get everything flowing again, take some simple steps to reduce the odds of a repeat.

  • Let faucets drip a thin stream during extreme cold, especially on vulnerable lines.
  • Add foam insulation or heat tape to exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for heat tape).
  • Seal gaps and cracks in walls, around hose bibs, and near pipe penetrations to keep frigid air out.
  • Keep your home at a consistent temperature (often recommended above about 55°F) even when you’re away.
  • If leaving for days in severe cold, many pros recommend shutting off the main, draining low faucets, and sometimes having the system professionally winterized.

Quick HTML table: Thawing methods

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Method</th>
      <th>Where it works best</th>
      <th>Key safety note</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Hair dryer</td>
      <td>Exposed indoor pipes under sinks, basements</td>
      <td>Keep away from water, move slowly from faucet toward colder section</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Heating pad</td>
      <td>Pipes you can wrap easily</td>
      <td>Use low–medium heat, don’t cover with flammable material</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Hot towels</td>
      <td>Metal pipes you can reach but not easily power near</td>
      <td>Replace as they cool, avoid dripping on outlets or cords</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Space heater / heat lamp</td>
      <td>Hidden or hard-to-reach runs along cold walls</td>
      <td>Keep well away from combustibles, never leave unattended</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.