Have you gone to your basement to do some laundry only to find that the pipes in your washing machine are completely frozen? You are not alone. This happens regularly, especially during the cold winter seasons.

But you do have to worry about permanent damage to the tubing and motor. Before that can happen, you must first defrost your washing machine. These are some of the steps you have to follow:

1. Go to your water supplier’s main valve and close the valve. After doing this step, go to the sink closest to your washing machine. Run your washing machine pipe into the sink to drain the defrosted ice.

2. Take an empty bucket and place the end of the tube in it. You may also want to get extra towels to catch any water that might come out of the pipe once it has fully thawed. You need to start from the pipe in the faucet sink and progress towards the frozen area to avoid a sudden rush of water.

3. Get a small propane torch. This is the same one you use to light your charcoal grill or when you’re toasting cheese on top of your homemade soup. Wear gloves and goggles for added protection. Hold the tube 9 inches from the torch. Light the torch and run it back and forth until it starts to thaw. Do not directly heat the pipe or you may inadvertently damage it.

4. After doing this, get a hair dryer and set it to the highest heat setting. Just like the propane torch, also move it back and forth. This will thaw the pipe but will not expose it directly to flame.

5. Another remedy that you can try is a heat lamp. This is used as a heat source during the winter season, especially when you are camping. You can place it 8 inches away from the pipe. You can use this if your washing machine pipe is installed behind walls or if you cannot easily access the pipe.

6. For pipes that are exposed to you, simply use a hot water heating pad. Wrap it around the pipe and leave it there until it has returned to its normal state.

You may want to winterize your washing machine next time to prevent this from happening. Be sure to maintain your washing machine well at all times to prolong its life.