Frozen Drain Trap: How To Thaw A

A frozen drain trap is a common winter plumbing problem. When the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under your sink) freezes, water cannot drain. If you run water into a frozen trap, it will back up and overflow onto your floor.

| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | Pipe runs through an exterior wall | Open cabinet doors during extreme cold to let warm air in. | | Drafts from outside | Insulate the pipe with foam pipe insulation (available at hardware stores). | | Unheated garage or basement sink | Wrap the trap with heat tape (electric heating tape designed for pipes). | | Cabinets against cold exterior wall | Place a small, low-wattage bulb inside the cabinet (LED won’t work—use incandescent or a “pipe warming” bulb). | how to thaw a frozen drain trap

If left unaddressed, a frozen drain trap can lead to several issues: A frozen drain trap is a common winter plumbing problem