Clearing a frozen pipe with hot water

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Clearing a frozen pipe with hot water

Author: ericsarratt (NC)

Our sink's drain pipe froze last night. I hooked up a piece of 3/8" tubing to the faucet, ran it into the pipe's cleanout and turned on the hot water. I got it cleared within 2 minutes.

That got me to thinking...

Couldn't I use this same technique with a smaller diameter tube, a small pump and a tub of hot water and open up a blocked water line?

Has anyone ever used anything like this?

It seems like if you had access, it could be a quick way to clear out a frozen water line.

My only concern is to keep the hot water below the threshold that the pipe's manufacturer recommends.

Edited 1 times.

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Re: Clearing a frozen pipe with hot water
Author: packy (MA) i have seen a hose from a steam wallpaper remover used for frozen drains. the success rate all depends on the temperature of the area you are working in. once you get a small hole thru the ice you just need to run water thru the drain and it will free up. as for water piping im not sure how you would get a hose into 1/2 inch tubing.
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