Soak towels in the hottest water you can stand, wring them out, and wrap them around the pipe. Replace every 5–10 minutes.

Wrap an electric heating pad around the frozen pipe, set to low, and let it sit for an hour.

Have you successfully thawed a frozen drain? Share your tips in the comments below.

Discovering a frozen drain pipe is a winter homeowner’s nightmare. You run the sink or step into the shower, only to watch the water rise instead of disappear. Unlike a frozen supply pipe (which stops water from coming in), a frozen drain pipe prevents water from getting out. The result? Backed-up sinks, flooded showers, and potential bio-hazard messes.