Frozen Bath Drain May 2026

But don’t panic—and absolutely don’t pour boiling water down the drain (that can crack pipes). Here’s how to safely thaw a frozen bath drain and prevent it from happening again.

If your tub is on the second floor with exposed pipes below (crawlspace or basement), aim a space heater or hairdryer directly at the trap—the U-shaped bend under the tub. This is where ice usually forms. frozen bath drain

Turn up the heat in the house and close the bathroom door. Place a small space heater (safe distance from water) near the tub for 30–60 minutes. Often, just raising the room temperature will start melting the ice. frozen bath drain