Drain Frozen Patched -

If your plumbing vent stack on the roof is covered in snow or ice, it can cause drainage issues that mimic a frozen pipe. How to Identify a Frozen Drain

| Method | Best For | How To | |--------|----------|--------| | | Ice just inside the drain opening | Pour 1 cup of rock salt (or table salt) into the drain, then slowly add a gallon of hot (not boiling) tap water. Repeat every 20 min. | | Hot water recirculation | Floor drains or sink drains with a P-trap | Fill a bucket with hot water. Use a wet/dry shop vac to pull water out of the drain, then pour hot water in. The suction helps pull heat deeper. | | Heat tape (pipe heating cable) | Exposed drain pipes in crawlspaces or basements | Wrap the frozen section with self-regulating heat tape. Plug it in and wait 1–3 hours. Do not overlap the tape. | | Hair dryer or heat gun | Metal or thick plastic drain pipes (not thin PVC) | Hold 2–3 inches away. Sweep back and forth over the frozen area. For a floor drain, aim down the grate. | | Steam or pressure washer (pro method) | Deep underground or stubborn ice | Call a plumber with a steam jetter. Ice melts instantly. | drain frozen

Before you apply any heat, open the faucet connected to the frozen drain. As the ice melts, the water needs somewhere to go. Running water (even a trickle) helps melt the ice faster once the flow starts. If your plumbing vent stack on the roof

If you’ve confirmed you have a frozen drain, time is of the essence. However, Do not use an open flame (like a blowtorch or propane heater) directly on pipes, as this is a major fire hazard and can damage the pipe material. | | Hot water recirculation | Floor drains