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Whats the best way to thaw out frozen pipes in a mobile home?

8 Answers

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  • Frann
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Heat tape....first choice..wrap the pipe..even a light bulb under a blanket will keep them warm. No fire of any sort as the pipes are usually PVC..It is much easier to keep them from freezing than to thaw them..when you get the water going again check well for leaks as you don't want to buy floors too. Some trailers have this grey hose looking stuff that won't crack so you don't have to worry as much about leaks....oh yeah ...a hair dryer..an electric blanket..

    Source(s): Good Luck...better you than me !!!
  • ec1177
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    There is only one safe way to thaw frozen pipes in any kind of dwelling. This is an electric device that puts a electric current through the pipes. You can rent these from from your local tool rental place. A paint stripper heat gun will also work if you are very careful and know exactly where it he frozen part is. Do not use any type of flame ie propane torches etc. I have been a firefighter for over 30 years and cant tell you how many fires I've been to caused by people with propane torch's trying to thaw pipes. Even with a heat gun be careful as they can reach 500 deg F and paper burns at 451 F ( remember the movie )

  • 1 decade ago

    Whatever you do DO NOT use a blowtorch or open flame !

    Open the faucet(s) the pipes got to before trying to unfeeze then so steam can escape, then you can try using either a hair dryer, towels wrapped around the pipe and hot water poured on them or a space heater placed near them. There is such a thing as heat tape also, call your hardware store and see if they carry it.

    The key is to unfreeze them slowly so as not to do damage to the pipes and if in a mobile home you could be frozen as far back as your main line, if unfreezing one or two does not help try there.

  • 1 decade ago

    If it's a couple feet off the ground get a Coleman lantern and put it under there until they thaw keep a close eye on it. They throw alot more heat than you think. I bought a small salamander from www.northerntool.com for about a 100. and I put it just under the lip of the trailer and turn it on it has a fan so it covers alot more area and thaws them out much quicker,watch close also

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Try using a heat gun to thaw the pipes before they burst.

    Source(s): Sr Construction/Maintenance Tech
  • 1 decade ago

    if u can... startt it up and then rev it really high for 1 minute intervals... then take a 3 minute break then do it again take another break....... repeat until the pipes are all thawed out

  • 1 decade ago

    wrap them. You can also get a product that has a heat wire in it that that will keep them from freezing up.

  • 1 decade ago

    hair dyer or heat tape.

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