Home > How To Library > Step-by-Step How-Tos Videos > Plumbing > Pipes, Drains & Fittings > How to Defrost and Protect Pipes

How to Defrost and Protect Pipes

Print VersionBookmarkEmail this page to a friend.
Watch the Video of this Step By Step. Watch Video

DIFFICULTY RATING: (2 out of 5 - Easy)

Exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees can cause pipes to freeze and break. A few simple steps can help protect pipes from freezing or defrost them when they do.
Step 1: Thawing a frozen pipe: Open the faucet fed by the frozen pipe.
Before thawing a frozen pipe, be sure to know how to shut off the water supply to that pipe in the event of a crack or a break. Open the faucet that is fed by the frozen pipe. A flow of water will indicate that the pipe has been defrosted.
Open the faucet.

Step 1 of 6 (View Full Step by Step)


Aluminum foil (Buy) Electric heating tape (Buy)
Electrical tape (Buy) Heat gun (Buy)
Insulation (Buy) Insulation tape (Buy)
Never use an open flame torch to defrost pipes as this can damage the pipes or start a fire. Be sure to replace uncertified heat tape that is more than three years old with new tape that meets standards.

Watch the Video of this
Step by Step.

Watch Video

Text by Benjamin Hardy
BobVila.com






About  | Press Room  | FAQ  | Contact  | Sitemap  | Privacy Policy  | Terms of Use  | Help

© 2009 BobVila.com