Drain Frozen -

Methods like hydro jetting are required to clear heavy ice and debris from the lines.

| 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 start pouring boiling water down the sink (which you shouldn't do!), look for these signs: Methods like hydro jetting are required to clear

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. | | Hot water recirculation | Floor drains

If you cannot locate the frozen area, or if the frozen section is behind a wall or under a slab where you cannot access it, it is time to call a licensed plumber. They have professional-grade equipment (like pipe-thawing machines) that can safely resolve the issue without tearing apart your home.