With the onset of the cold season, we may see the pipes freeze. Here are some simple ways to open a frozen pipe without damaging the pipes. After identifying the location of the frost, you can try the following methods.
1- Open the faucet
One of the simplest methods is to open the valve close to the frozen place so that the flow of water gradually puts pressure on the ice and causes it to open.
2- Remove the freezing of the pipe with a warm towel
Heating a frozen part of the pipe is one of the practical ways to remove the frost. For this purpose, the towel can be heated and placed on the tube several times. Keep in mind that it is best not to use hot water for this, as a sudden change in temperature may cause the frozen tube to burst.
3- Defrosting the pipe with a hair dryer
Sometimes the diameter of the ice is so large that it takes a long time to open it with a towel. In these cases, a hair dryer can be used to open the frozen tube. It is best to keep the hair dryer about 10 cm away from the tube so that the temperature does not change suddenly.
In addition, you can turn on the heater in the room where the pipe is frozen to increase the ambient temperature and the ice of the pipe will open gradually.
4- Open the frozen pipe using thermal tape
Thermal strips have an element; You can wrap them around a frozen pipe and plug them in. By connecting the strip to the socket, electricity is transferred to the heat strips and the frost gradually opens.
5- Using portable heaters or heaters
Place the heater or electric heater close to the freezing point. Be careful that the heater does not stick to the pipe. If the room is too big, you can use several heaters. This is another way to melt the ice inside the tube.
Methods of preventing pipe freezing
- One of the best and most efficient ways is to cover them with insulating fibers such as fiberglass.
- Another way is to leave the tap open. It is enough to drain the water drop by drop to prevent freezing.
- Increase the temperature of the house and rooms and do not allow the environment in which the pipes are located to become too cold.
