How to Unclog a Frozen Shower Drain

Frozen drain pipes are a serious concern that should be addressed promptly. Water in these pipes will expand in harsh temperatures and cause pipe bursts, which can lead to expensive repairs. Frozen pipes can cause a number of problems like stalled drainage, inconsistent water flow, sewer backup, etc. While frozen and clogged drains are a sign of poor insulation and need professional repairs, you can try to unclog them without assistance (before doing this, we at Dr. Pipe must inform you about the possible risks of a DIY job!). Here are some tips that can help:

1. Boil water

Boil a generous amount of water and add a cup full of salt to it. Salt is great at breaking down the ice, especially when it’s combined with hot water. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved before you use it.

2. Baking soda

While the water is boiling, put around ½ a cup of baking powder in the drain. Make sure it gets into the drain instead of sitting on top of it. The soda should reach frozen clogs inside the pipes to be effective.

3. Vinegar

Pour one cup of vinegar down the pipe immediately after putting baking soda. The vinegar reacts with soda, causing it to sizzle and bubble. This solution will agitate frost buildup and slowly start to clear your frozen shower drain. This combination will also remove stubborn debris like dirt, lingering clumps of soap, etc.

4. Pour boiling water

Slowly pour boiling water down the drain. This will melt frost and allow the soda/vinegar concoction to penetrate deeper into the pipes. Make sure you have enough boiling water to maintain the flow for some time. Don’t dump all of the water into your frozen drain at once as that will be ineffective.

5. Run hot water

Run hot water from your shower or bathtub pipe steadily for at least five minutes to ensure all frost is cleared.  This is also a good way to check if all clogs are removed and water is draining freely. If you have a movable showerhead, place it directly over the drain for best results.

Alternative Thawing Methods for Frozen Drain Pipes

If hot water, salt, and vinegar aren’t enough to clear a frozen drain, here are some additional thawing methods:

Use a Hair Dryer or Heat Gun

To slowly melt the ice, aim a hairdryer or heat gun at the frozen section of your drain pipe.
⚠️ Note: Never use an open flame, such as a blowtorch, as it can damage the pipes and pose a fire hazard!

Use Heating Cables or Electric Pipe Wraps

Specialized heating cables or self-regulating electric pipe wraps can be wrapped around the frozen section of the pipe to safely warm it. These are particularly useful for pipes in crawl spaces or unheated basements.

Pour Hot Water and Salt in Intervals

Instead of pouring one large pot of boiling water all at once, pour small amounts of hot water and salt every 5–10 minutes to gradually melt the ice. This helps prevent sudden temperature shocks that could crack the pipe.

Use a Plumbing Snake or Auger

If a section of the pipe is blocked by both ice and debris buildup, use a plumbing snake or drain auger to break up the ice. This method is especially useful for clogged kitchen or bathroom sinks.

Use a Space Heater for Enclosed Areas

If your frozen pipes are located in an enclosed space (such as a basement or inside a cabinet), place a small space heater nearby to slowly increase the temperature. Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Call a Professional Plumber

If none of the above methods work or if you suspect a pipe has burst, call a licensed plumber immediately! Frozen pipes can lead to flooding and costly damage if not handled properly.

If you’re experiencing problems with frozen drains in Toronto, don’t hesitate to give us Dr.Pipe Drain and Plumbing a call. We have a team of well-trained plumbers and are a licensed company. All our services are covered by insurance and have comprehensive warranties. With us, you get reliable services at a competitive cost as we beat any reasonable quote by 10%, providing the best plumbing rates in Toronto.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze?

In some cases, pipes may freeze despite the preventative methods we take.  Should this happen, the first thing to do is turn off the water at the shut-off valve.  This prevents the plumbing problems from becoming exacerbated when the pipes thaw.  The next thing to do is to call a professional plumber, like us at Dr.Pipe Drain and Plumbing.

Frozen Pipe Repairs

Repairing frozen pipes follows a basic process, which can be adjusted for the customer’s situation.  Our process usually involves the following steps:

• Identification of the problem. We need to determine what caused the pipes to freeze.
• Isolation of the problem. This lets us know how big the problem is, and indicates how much of the pipe needs to be repaired.
• Temporary solution for smooth day-to-day activities. You need water for daily use: cooking, laundry, cleaning, and personal hygiene.  We figure out a solution to minimize disruptions to your daily routine.
• Thawing the frozen pipes. We need to remove the ice in order to repair the pipe.  Care will be taken to reduce any water damage during the thawing process.
• Frozen pipe repair. The pipe is repaired using state-of-the-art technology.  It is then inspected a second time to verify the problem is solved.

Why Contact Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing for Frozen Pipe Repair Service?