Last Edited: November 26, 2025
Living in the state of Massachusetts means enduring extremely cold winters, and you may have wondered, will running hot water unfreeze pipes? If the frozen pipe is a drain pipe, the answer is yes. Frozen pipes can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare, and if your pipes freeze during the frigid winter months, you’ll want to address the problem as quickly as possible to avoid a burst pipe and prevent devastating water damage to your home. The experts at Spencer Home Services have some helpful tips about how to tell if your pipes are frozen, how to safely unfreeze a frozen drain pipe, and when to call our experienced plumbers for help.
How to Tell If Your Pipes Are Frozen
Before you pour hot water down your drain, it’s important to know whether or not your pipes are frozen. Look for these warning signs of a burst pipe in Peabody, MA, that typically mean your pipes are completely frozen or in the process of freezing.
- There is very little or no water whatsoever coming from your faucets when you turn them on.
- Unusual gurgling, clanking, or banging noises coming from your pipes may indicate that ice is starting to move and block the flow of water.
- Visible signs of frost on the outside of your pipes or a coating of condensation on the pipes.
- Bulging or cracking pipes from the pressure of the expanded frozen water.
- Water spots, rings on your walls or ceilings, or puddles of water anywhere in your home, may be due to a leak from a pipe that burst.
- Any unpleasant, sewer-like smells coming from your drains or faucets could be a sign of a frozen exterior sewer line that requires professional plumbing repairs as soon as possible.
How to Safely Unfreeze a Frozen Drain Pipe
In some cases, pouring hot water down your drain should unfreeze the drain pipes. However, it’s very important that you take your time with this method and pour the water down the drain slowly to make sure that it works and that it’s done safely.
Follow these steps to make sure that you know how to unfreeze pipes using hot water the right way.
- Step one: Fill a pot with one-half gallon of water and bring it to a boil on the stove.
- Step two: Once the water comes to a boil, remove the pot from the stove and let it cool slightly.
- Step three: Pour the water down the drain carefully and slowly.
- Step four: Turn your faucet on and allow a trickle of warm water to run for approximately five minutes.
- Step five: Repeat the process as needed, inspecting your drain and pipes each time to confirm that they’re completely thawed.
How to Unfreeze Pipes Without Using Hot Water
Knowing what to do when your pipes freeze is a smart way to address the problem before it turns into a major emergency. Fortunately, there are some other ways you can unfreeze your pipes without using hot water. Applying various heat sources to your pipes can make them thaw faster. Keep in mind that you should never use an open flame to thaw your pipes, because it creates a fire hazard.
Here are some other simple methods you can use to unfreeze a drain pipe without hot water.
- Apply electric heat tape to any exposed pipes to help them slowly warm and thaw.
- Use a hair dryer to gently heat your pipes, keeping the appliance on and directed at the frozen area for around four to five minutes, but take special care not to let the pipe come in contact with the hair dryer.
- Place a space heater directly in front of the frozen section of the pipe to raise the temperature of the room, which should slowly thaw and unfreeze it.
- Place a heat lamp aimed in the direction of the pipe, keeping it at a safe distance to prevent damage to the pipe and to keep it from thawing too quickly.
- Wrap an electric heating pad on the low to medium setting around the frozen section of the pipe and leave it in place until the pipe thaws.
- Soak some bath towels in hot water, wring them out, then place them around the pipe, replacing them every five to 10 minutes as needed.
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
While you can’t always keep your pipes from freezing 100 percent of the time, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk. Follow these tips to protect your pipes and keep them from freezing in the cold Peabody, MA, winters.
- Increasing your home’s temperature by a few degrees can help prevent a frozen pipe
- Leaving your faucet open just enough for the water to trickle.
- Insulate your pipes, especially in areas where they’re exposed, such as the basement, in the attic, or in the crawl space.
- Thoroughly seal all cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and your home’s foundation.
- Keep cabinets underneath your sinks open during the winter to allow warm air to reach the plumbing.
When to Call a Plumber for Frozen Pipes in Peabody, MA?
There may be times when you need to call a professional plumber to address the issues with your frozen pipes. Here’s when you should contact Spencer Home Services if you encounter frozen pipes in your home.
- You already see major water damage from a burst pipe.
- You’ve thawed your pipes but still only see a trickle or if no water is coming out whatsoever.
- You have frozen pipes that are hard to locate or when they’re in an inaccessible area.
- You’ve tried some of the thawing methods listed for around 24 to 48 hours and the pipe is still frozen, contact a plumber.
Contact Spencer Home Services Today
From the community of Lynnfield to Peabody and beyond, Spencer Home Services is backed by decades of experience, expert technicians, and industry-leading warranties. We aim to deliver lasting solutions done right the first time, so our customers get peace of mind, not shortcuts. If you need help with frozen pipe repair or require other professional plumbing services, contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will boiling water unfreeze pipes faster?
Boiling water won’t necessarily unfreeze your pipes faster than just hot water, because you still need to pour it very slowly down the drain. In fact, we recommend using hot water rather than boiling water, since the extremely high temperatures of boiling water could damage your plumbing.
How long does it take for pipes to unfreeze naturally?
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days for your pipes to unfreeze naturally. The length of time depends on how long the pipes were frozen, the location of the pipes, and how cold the temperature is.
What temperature do pipes freeze at?
Technically, your pipes can freeze at temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they’re more likely to freeze when they reach temperatures of 20 degrees or lower. Exposed pipes are much more vulnerable to freezing than pipes that are insulated or protected from cold temperatures.
