If your shower is located above an unheated crawl space or unfinished basement, the "P-trap" (the U-shaped pipe under the drain) is exposed to freezing temperatures.
❄️ Before leaving, pour 1 gallon of RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) down the drain, then cover the drain with plastic wrap taped down – prevents trap from freezing. shower drain is frozen
If you have access to the pipes via a crawl space or basement: Set up a space heater (monitored closely) to warm the area. If your shower is located above an unheated
Do not pour boiling water down a frozen drain. The extreme temperature difference can crack ceramic shower bases or cause PVC pipes to expand too quickly and split. Instead, use hot tap water (around 120°F to 140°F). 2. The Salt Trick Do not pour boiling water down a frozen drain
Try a mix of baking soda and vinegar followed by hot salt water to clear the icy clog. Pro Tip: Once it’s clear, leave the water at a tiny trickle during the next freeze to keep things moving.#HomeMaintenance #WinterTips #LifeHacks #Plumbing101 Option 3: The "Relatable/Humorous" post
Average cost for professional frozen drain thaw: $150–$400 (more if under slab).
