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 2: Thawing a frozen pipe: Heat the pipe with a heat gun. Double up a sheet of aluminum foil and place it behind the pipe. This will protect the surrounding area from the heat and will help contain the heat to just around the frozen pipe. Use a heat gun or a hair dryer to heat the pipe. Take your time and work slowly. The warming pipe will melt the ice, and water flow should return to the open faucet. Direct the heat gun slowly along the frozen pipe.
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.
