Pipe Thawing Attempt (bad idea?)

[jmailer]

My main water service line froze up while away for two weeks. I had shutoff the water main valve in the house, but without water running, the service line froze.

The plumber came with a water jet machine and was able to break-up the first 20' of ice outside the house. Unfortunately, he was not able to get the machine any further and the line is still frozen.

Rather than excavating, or waiting until the spring thaw, is it possible to thaw the line by pumping water "into" the house service line?

I was thinking something along the lines of:

1) Use my Wayne 1/2HP utility pump with a 55 gallon clean water drum
2) Pump water through check valve into the main service line
3) Provide a t-connection with valve for draining and pressure relief

Picture of idea is below.

Any comments if this is a feasible idea, or a potentially really bad one?

 

[frodo]

rent a pipe thaw machine.....or hook up welding leads to the pipe

 

[speedbump]

I don't know if they are still available, but they used to be called steamers.

 

[jmailer]

For the "hotshot" style electric thawers, I'll have to see how deep the curb stop is to get leads on it.

The steamer idea is interesting. I'll have to look into options that are around. That seems like an easier application than trying to dig up the curb stop.

Since I already have the water pump parts, does anything look inherently "bad" to give a try?