Kokomo, IN Pipe Repair: Thaw Frozen Pipes Safely

Estimated Read Time: 9 minutes

Frozen pipe and no water flow? You can often fix frozen pipes yourself with simple tools. This guide shows how to safely thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer or a space heater, when to stop and call a pro, and how to prevent refreezing. If you are in Kokomo or nearby, our 24/7 team is ready when DIY is not enough.

Safety First: Read This Before You Thaw

Frozen pipes are stressful, but rushing can cause a burst. Two facts to keep in mind:

1. Water expands about 9 percent when it freezes, which strains pipe walls.
2. Many bursts happen during thawing as pressure suddenly returns.

Do this before any heat:

• Turn on the nearest cold faucet to relieve pressure.
• Know your main shutoff location. If you see a split or hear spraying, shut off water immediately.
• Unplug nearby appliances and use only grounded GFCI outlets for any electric tools.
• Never use an open flame. Fire departments warn that torches and propane heaters ignite building materials fast.

If the pipe is behind a wall and you hear hissing or see ceiling bulges, stop and call a licensed plumber.

How To Find The Frozen Section

You need to target heat at the right spot. Look and feel for clues:

• No water or a trickle from a specific faucet, usually on an exterior wall or over an unheated crawl space.
• Frost, condensation, or a very cold patch on the pipe.
• Icy or cold areas under sinks, along garage walls, or near drafty sill plates.

Trace the line from the problem faucet back toward the main. In Kokomo homes, pipes often run through crawl spaces where January nights dip into the teens. Start your search there. If the line is concealed, open the cabinet doors or even remove a small section of drywall with care to expose the pipe for safe heating.

Tools You’ll Need

Gather items before you begin:

1. Hair dryer with a high heat setting.
2. Space heater with tip-over protection and thermostat.
3. Heavy towels or rags.
4. Extension cord rated for indoor use, plugged into a GFCI outlet.
5. Thermometer or your hand to monitor progress.
6. Optional: portable fan to move warm air into tight spaces.

PVC, PEX, and copper all thaw safely with gentle, even heat. Avoid direct contact of high heat on PVC. With PEX, go slow to prevent rapid expansion at fittings.

Method 1: Thawing With a Hair Dryer

Use a hair dryer when you can see or reach the pipe. Work methodically and be patient.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the faucet. Leave cold running at a trickle.
2. Start near the faucet and move back toward the frozen area. Thawing from the tap outward reduces pressure spikes.
3. Hold the dryer 2 to 4 inches from the pipe. Sweep back and forth slowly. Keep the nozzle moving to avoid concentrating heat on one spot.
4. Warm a few inches at a time. Expect 15 to 45 minutes depending on pipe size and how deep the freeze is.
5. Wrap the warmed section with a towel to hold heat while you move further along the line.
6. Once flow returns, let water run for several minutes. Check all joints for drips.

Pro tip: If the pipe is close to a wall, direct the air along the side that is coldest. You can set a towel behind the pipe to reflect warmth.

Method 2: Thawing With a Space Heater

Use a space heater when the frozen area is in a small room, under a sink, or in a crawl space you can safely access.

Safety rules:

• Keep the heater at least 3 feet from combustibles.
• Never leave it unattended.
• Use a model with tip-over protection and a thermostat.
• Plug directly into a GFCI outlet. Do not use a light-duty extension cord.

Thawing process:

1. Open cabinet doors and the affected faucet.
2. Position the heater to warm the room, not blast the pipe. Steady ambient heat thaws evenly.
3. Add a small fan to push warm air under the cabinet or toward the wall cavity.
4. Check progress every 10 minutes. When a steady stream flows, keep heat on for 30 more minutes to clear lingering ice.
5. Inspect for leaks at valves and fittings as the line warms.

This approach is ideal for long runs behind drywall where direct heating is hard. It is also gentle on PVC.

What Not To Do When Pipes Freeze

Avoid these mistakes that lead to burst pipes or fires:

1. Do not use a blowtorch, grill, or open flame.
2. Do not turn the hair dryer to the hottest setting and park it in one spot.
3. Do not hammer the pipe or try to chip away ice.
4. Do not leave a space heater running unattended or running on an extension cord.
5. Do not ignore slow drips after thawing. Small leaks can grow and damage cabinets and floors.

If The Pipe Is Behind a Wall

Hidden lines can be thawed safely without tearing apart rooms:

• Raise the thermostat 4 to 6 degrees and let the whole home warm.
• Aim a space heater at the wall surface, keeping a 3-foot safety distance.
• Remove the baseboard and drill a small low hole to blow warm air into the cavity if needed.
• If water starts staining drywall, shut off the main and call a pro immediately.

Our technicians carry borescopes and infrared cameras to pinpoint frozen sections without overcutting. When we open a wall, we repair cleanly and insulate before closing.

After Thaw: Check For Damage

Once water flows, check these spots before you celebrate:

• Under-sink shutoffs and flex lines
• Elbows and tees in crawl spaces
• Hose bibb vacuum breakers
• Toilet supply lines on exterior walls

Look for sweating, fine mist, or a slow drip. Dry the area and recheck after 10 minutes. If you find a split copper line or cracked PVC, shut off the main and schedule a repair.

Prevent Refreezing Tonight

A pipe that froze once is likely to freeze again. Prevent a repeat while temperatures remain low:

• Keep interior doors open to share heat.
• Let cold faucets on exterior walls drip slightly overnight.
• Set the thermostat no lower than 65 during a cold snap.
• Place a safe space heater in problem rooms for the night.
• Wrap the exposed pipe with towels or foam sleeves until you can add permanent insulation.

In Kokomo, wind can push cold air through sill plates and crawl space vents. Seal drafts with weatherstripping and foam, then add pipe insulation rated for cold climates.

Permanent Fixes That Save Money

After the freeze passes, make upgrades that reduce risk long term:

1. Insulate: Add foam sleeves or fiberglass wrap to pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls.
2. Reroute: Move vulnerable lines away from unheated areas during a remodel.
3. Heat cable: Install UL-listed heat tape with a thermostat on trouble spots.
4. Smart monitoring: Add leak sensors under sinks and near water heaters.
5. Exterior spigots: Replace with frost-free hose bibbs and always remove hoses before freezing nights.

Our team can also camera-inspect drains and, if cold weather exposed a weak sewer line, repair with trenchless lining or pipe bursting to avoid yard excavation.

When To Call A Plumber

DIY is great, but some situations need a licensed pro quickly:

• You cannot find the frozen section within 45 minutes.
• The pipe is frozen inside a finished wall or ceiling with no easy access.
• You hear water spraying or see staining on drywall or ceilings.
• The main line or multiple fixtures are affected.
• There is a cracked fitting or split pipe after thaw.

Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers 24/7 response in Kokomo, Tipton, Greentown, Windfall, Russiaville, Sharpsville, Goldsmith, Kempton, Hemlock, and Hobbs. We dispatch fast, and our price-match guarantee protects your budget.

Why Choose Summers For Frozen Pipe Repair

You want speed, clean work, and smart prevention. Here is how we deliver:

• Rapid response: Same-day service and real 24/7 emergency scheduling.
• Trained techs: Licensed, background-checked, and equipped with HD cameras and safe thawing gear.
• Less damage: We open only what we must, insulate before closing, and test under pressure.
• Modern repair options: From copper repairs and PEX repipes to trenchless sewer lining and pipe bursting.
• Clear pricing: We review options up front and match or beat competitor prices.

Two more facts that build confidence: video camera inspection helps validate the cause and location of damage, and trenchless methods can fix many underground pipe issues without excavation.

Step-by-Step: Quick Reference Checklist

If you are standing at the sink with no water, follow this short plan:

1. Open the faucet and find the nearest shutoff.
2. Inspect accessible runs on exterior walls and in the crawl space.
3. Thaw with a hair dryer starting from the faucet back toward the cold section.
4. Or warm the space with a heater, keeping 3 feet of clearance.
5. Keep heat on 30 minutes after flow returns, then inspect for leaks.
6. Add temporary insulation and schedule a permanent fix.

Frequently Asked Safety Questions About Heat Sources

A few final safety reminders for the methods in this guide:

• Keep cords dry and off damp floors.
• Do not cover the hair dryer intake or rest it on the pipe.
• Run heaters on a flat, nonflammable surface.
• Use GFCI protection near sinks and utility areas.

If anything smells scorched or a breaker trips, stop and call a professional.

### What Homeowners Are Saying

"I’m very grateful for the fast and immediate action... A plumber arrived about 15 minutes after I called and not only fixed the leak but replaced some old piping. The entire visit took about half an hour. I’m very impressed."
–Julia M., Leak Repair

"Had a boiler pipe leaking under the house... Nathan came out and diagnosed where the pipe was leaking and gave me an estimate... got the pipe fixed, and got the boiler back up and running!"
–TicTacToad, Pipe Repair

"Came out quickly when called about a leak in our wall. Quickly diagnosed the problem, had someone out the next day to replace! Very friendly!"
–Kayla G., Plumbing Repair

"We had a leak, called and they sent Andrew. He was here within 30 mins... had it repaired in a matter of just a few hours. Very professional, courteous, respectful and friendly."
–Donald M., Emergency Plumbing

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which pipe is frozen?

Start at the faucet that has no flow and trace the line back. Look for frost, very cold sections, or condensation. Check exterior walls, crawl spaces, and under-sink runs first.

How long does it take to thaw a frozen pipe with a hair dryer?

Most minor freezes clear in 15 to 45 minutes of steady, even heat. Keep the faucet open and warm from the faucet back toward the frozen section.

Is it safe to use a space heater to thaw pipes?

Yes, if used correctly. Keep 3 feet from combustibles, plug into a GFCI outlet, and never leave it unattended. Warm the room, not the pipe surface directly.

What if the pipe is inside a wall?

Raise the thermostat, open cabinets, and warm the wall surface. If you see staining or bulges or cannot access the line safely, shut off water and call a licensed plumber.

Can PVC or PEX be thawed with heat?

Yes, with gentle, indirect heat. Avoid touching PVC with high heat. Thaw slowly to reduce stress on fittings and check for leaks after water returns.

Conclusion

You can fix frozen pipes safely with a hair dryer or a space heater by using gentle, even heat and working from the faucet back. If you are in Kokomo or nearby towns like Tipton or Russiaville and the pipe is hidden, split, or still frozen, call our licensed team for same-day help.

Call, Schedule, or Chat Now

Need fast help in Kokomo, Tipton, Greentown, Windfall, Russiaville, Sharpsville, Goldsmith, Kempton, Hemlock, or Hobbs?

• Call: (765) 252-0727
• Schedule online: https://www.summersphc.com/kokomo/

24/7 live answering, same-day service, and our price-match guarantee. Get your water flowing again today.

About Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Locally owned for over 50 years, Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling serves Kokomo and nearby towns with licensed, background-checked technicians. We offer 24/7 emergency response, same-day service, and a price-match guarantee. Our team uses HD drain cameras, hydro-jetting, and trenchless pipe lining and bursting to solve problems faster with less mess. Homeowners count on our honest pricing, clean workmanship, and strong reviews across Kokomo, Tipton, Russiaville, and beyond.