So, our bathtub won't drain b/c the drain pipe is frozen

Roto Rooter just left. We called them after DH first got some stoner plumber dude who had no tools with him. The pipe that drains the tub is frozen. I didn't realize that could happen. They said that the pipe probably won't break. We liked the Roto Rooter guy and we can ask for him if we call again.

Re: So, our bathtub won't drain b/c the drain pipe is frozen

When ice melts it expands, so I would be careful that the pipes dont break.

I would add some salt water down the drain. Wait 15 minutes and add a bit more. Hopefully you should hear the crackling/crunching as the salt melts.

Salt water reduces the melting point of water. After repeatedly putting the salt water down the drain, you should be able to do a few flushes of hot water to melt the remaining ice.

Hope this helps.

Message edited 3/7/2007 3:19:58 PM.

Re: So, our bathtub won't drain b/c the drain pipe is frozen

It's all better. The reason they didn't think the pipe would break was because the ice had room to expand at the top and bottom. So far so good.