A frozen drain trap (the U-shaped pipe under your sink or shower) is a common winter headache, but it is usually solvable with patience and the right technique.

Before you start thawing, confirm the blockage is actually ice and not a standard clog.

If the trap is in a cabinet or a crawl space that is difficult to reach:

Once the water is flowing freely, take steps to prevent a recurrence:

Before you begin thawing, turn on the faucet connected to the frozen drain. Let it run on a trickle (cold water initially, then warm). As the ice melts, the water will start to flow, helping to lubricate the pipe and wash the melting ice away.

: Water stands in the sink or tub and doesn’t move at all.