Fix It Yourself 103 Frozen Pipe

Like the old folks always saying, Prevention is the best medicine. However, there are cold snap and deep freeze during winter. The pipe expands which exerts pressure enough to rupture itself or worse, getting itself frozen. With all sudden commotions, household operations will affect much more than you're expecting. So you should consider how to fix it it and done like a pro ;)

The Problem:

• No water runs through the pipe
• Pipes may burst
• The joints may be forced open

Tools Needed:

• A kettle with boiling water
• A piece of cloth
• A blowtorch
• Electric heating cable

Basic Steps:

1. Open all faucets in the frozen line.
2. Wrap cloth around the pipe and pour boiling water over it.
3. Keep on doing so until the water in the line is flowing freely.
4. The use of a blowtorch or propane torch might be faster but use it only if the pipe is in an absolutely safe location away from flammable walls or other materials.
5. If you use a torch, don’t concentrate on a single spot; rather move it along the pipe toward an open faucet, so that steam generated within the pipe can escape.
6. Use of electric heating cable is the best method of thawing frozen pipes, because the entire length of the pipe is thawed at the same time.