How To Melt Ice In A Drain Pipe

steam tube method is most effective. Goodfellow Air Force Base (.mil) +4 1. Internal Melting Methods (Best for Inaccessible Pipes) If the frozen section is deep within a wall or underground, you must melt the ice from the inside. Hot Salted Water: Dissolve 1 part salt in 3 parts hot water. The salt lowers the freezing point of the water, preventing it from refreezing while it melts the existing ice. Pour it slowly to avoid thermal shock to PVC pipes. Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. The resulting chemical reaction creates bubbling that can help agitate and break up the ice before flushing with hot water. The Steam Tube Technique: Snake a flexible rubber tube down the drain until it hits the ice. Connect the other end to the spout of a boiling tea kettle. The steam will travel directly to the blockage and melt it quickly from the point of contact. Goodfellow Air Force Base (.mil) +4 2. External Heating Methods (Best for Exposed Pipes) If you can reach the pipe in a basement, crawl space, or attic, applying heat to the exterior is often safer. YouTube +1 Hair Dryer or Heat Gun: Aim the device at the frozen section, moving it back and forth to distribute heat evenly. Start heating from the end closest to the drain or faucet and work your way toward the blockage to allow melted water to escape. Electric Heat Tape: Wrap specialized heat tape around the pipe and plug it in. This provides consistent, low-level warmth that safely thaws the ice over several hours. Hot Towels: Soak towels in hot water and drape them over the frozen section, replacing them every 30 minutes until the flow is restored. YouTube +5 3. Solutions for Underground Pipes Underground lines are more difficult but can still be handled with specialized approaches. 11 sites How To Thaw Underground Frozen Pipes - Angie's List Apr 6, 2026 —

Once you have identified the general area, choose one of the following methods based on the severity of the freeze. how to melt ice in a drain pipe