Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape from 50 to 200 depending on length is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot.
Unfreeze pipes in attic.
If you need to unfreeze water pipes leave your faucets open slightly to help thaw out the pipes.
Use heat tape on problem pipes.
Use a space heater heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe.
If a span of pipe is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures electric pipe heating tape acts like an electric blanket for pipes to prevent freezing.
Surprisingly both hot and cold pipes can be at risk.
Water freezes at 32 degrees fahrenheit but indoor pipes are somewhat protected from outdoor temperature extremes even in unheated areas of the house like in the attic or garage.
What to do if a pipe bursts.
Otherwise you can thaw out the pipe by wrapping the pipe in a single layer of thermal tape or blowing air from a hair dryer back and forth across the pipe.
Controlled by a thermostat to activate only when the attic temperature plunges dangerously low the tape typically consumes about 5 watts per foot.
Set a fan up to blow room temperature air at the cold wall.
Field tests of residential water systems showed that for uninsulated pipes installed in an unheated attic freezing began when the outside temperature fell to 20 f or below.
Thaw frozen pipe in a wall.
Just because it s 32 degrees outside doesn t mean the pipes will reach those temperatures.
If you find a leak close the main shut off valve to your house and call a plumber immediately.