If the frozen section is in a crawlspace or basement, use a portable space heater to warm the area. Ensure the heater is placed a safe distance from any flammable materials.

Before you panic, take a deep breath. This guide will walk you through how to identify a frozen drain, how to unthaw it safely, and—most importantly—how to prevent it from happening again.

⚠️ Never use an open flame (like a blowtorch) to thaw a pipe indoors or near combustible materials. Do not pour boiling water directly onto glazed ceramic or cracked cast iron pipes.

Soak towels in hot water and wrap them around the frozen section of the pipe. This transfers gentle heat to the ice blockage without risking damage to the pipe material. Re-soak the towels as they cool.

Even if you aren't home, keep your thermostat set to at least 13∘C13 raised to the composed with power C 55∘F55 raised to the composed with power F