If you suspect a frozen line, act quickly but gently. Heating a pipe too fast can cause it to crack.

A frozen drain can be a frustrating and potentially costly issue, especially during the cold winter months. If you're dealing with a clogged drain, don't worry – we've got you covered. In this post, we'll walk you through the steps to unclog a frozen drain and get your plumbing system flowing smoothly again.

If you can reach the pipe in a crawl space or under a cabinet, applying external heat is often the most effective method.

| Symptom | Likely Cause | Best First Action | Avoid | |--------|--------------|-------------------|-------| | No water at kitchen sink, other fixtures fine | Frozen P-trap under sink | Hair dryer on trap | Pouring boiling water (cracks porcelain) | | Shower drains slowly, worse in morning | Partial ice in horizontal run | Hot salt water + wait | Snaking solid ice | | Floor drain gurgles but doesn’t drain | Ice in trap + debris | RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) | Using calcium chloride (damages concrete) | | Entire house drain frozen | Main stack in uninsulated wall | Call plumber (pipe thawing machine) | Torches or high heat |

Are you dealing with a frozen drain that's causing problems in your home? Frozen drains can be a real nuisance, especially during the cold winter months. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to unclog a frozen drain and provide you with some useful tips to prevent it from happening again in the future.

To avoid frozen drains in the future, make sure to:

Use a cup or bucket to clear as much cold water from the sink or tub as possible.

Once you locate the frozen pipe, you can try the following steps to thaw it. * Use a Space Heater. Space heaters are a go-to for d... Angie's List Thawing Frozen Pipes | HowStuffWorks - Home and Garden Here's a list: * Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water. Wrap and secure heavy towel or burl... HowStuffWorks How Do I Thaw a Frozen Sewer Line - Clog Hog Important: for clearing frozen clogs in 3" ID and larger drains, we usually recommend a competitor's sewer jetter— as detailed bel... Clog Hog drain cleaner How to Unclog a Frozen Shower Drain - Dr. Pipe Toronto and ... Common Methods People Try to Unfreeze a Drain * Adding Warm Water. One common idea is to pour warm water into the drain to help un... drpipe.ca What Should You Do If You Have A Frozen Drain Pipe? Jan 22, 2026 —