Frozen water pipe

[ali_kat]

The pipe from the downstairs hand basin in the Toilet goes through the wall and into the outhouse (basically the next room)

From there it goes to the Washing Machine and branches off outside to the outside tap for the hose pipe

I've just tried to do some washing and no water came through. No water came out of the outside tap either, but it is fine from the tap to the basin.

As the washing can wait (being female I have more than enough clothes ), is it better to leave the pipe to defreeze on its own, or melt it and get the water running again?

This is a pipe I've had fitted by a Plumber, with the Landlords permission, so although part of the house, would be mine to repair any damage if it bursts...

[xllifts]

ali_kat said:

The pipe from the downstairs hand basin in the Toilet goes through the wall and into the outhouse (basically the next room)

From there it goes to the Washing Machine and branches off outside to the outside tap for the hose pipe

I've just tried to do some washing and no water came through. No water came out of the outside tap either, but it is fine from the tap to the basin.

As the washing can wait (being female I have more than enough clothes ), is it better to leave the pipe to defreeze on its own, or melt it and get the water running again?

This is a pipe I've had fitted by a Plumber, with the Landlords permission, so although part of the house, would be mine to repair any damage if it bursts...

Ali turn off the stop cock to that particular pipe, open the outside tap, and gently heat the pipe from the tap end working back to the basin with a hair dryer so the water frozen nearest the tap can escape rather tahn backing up behind frozen part if that makes sense, work back towards the part thats not frozen until its all melted then slowly turn water back on and check for leaks, slowly shut outside tap off and again check for leaks if all is well wrap out side tap in foam polysteyrene cloths and the same inside to prevent same again then get some pipe lagging.

Hope you manage to sort it
D x x

[ali_kat]

Cheers Dave.

I know how to defrost it, but bearing in mind I'm leaving the country again in the morning (I think...) not sure it I should or not?

It is frozen & not damaged, so can't solidify anymore than it is

But if I melt it, it can/will freeze again which theoretically could then damage the pipe?

[condor]

I'm not a plumber at all - but if you're going to be away for any length of time, and with sub zero temperatures forecast for the next couple of weeks - then I'd turn the water off at the main stopcock. Just to be on the safe side.

[ali_kat]

I'm away til Friday, but my Housemate will be here, so turning the water off not a good plan

Told her not to use the washing machine

[Globs]

condor said:

I'm not a plumber at all - but if you're going to be away for any length of time, and with sub zero temperatures forecast for the next couple of weeks - then I'd turn the water off at the main stopcock. Just to be on the safe side.

+1.

No water is an inconvenience, a flooded mouldy wet/damp cold house is a disaster.

[Chocmonster]

Be glad you can't get water into the machine. Mine has this afternoon emptied all the dirty water onto my kitchen floor as it turned out the waste pipe was frozen solid in the part which runs down the outside of my house to the drain. Not fun!

[Spudler]

Look for an isolation/service valve that feed the pipe in question and turn that off, just because you cant see any visable damage to the pipes i wouldn't trust it.

[xllifts]

Just a question Ali...have you checked your travel arrangements for the morning? Last I heard, Jersey and Guernsey airports were closed indefinately.

Hannah (posted on HIS keyboard!)

[ali_kat]

Funny you should say that Hannah - I've just spoken to my Boss and I will be working from home this week....

So I'll defrost the pipes in the morning now I can keep an eye on them

(too dark now!)

[Flintstone]

Ummmmm, I'd not be going away and leaving a frozen pipe. If it's split or popped a joint you won't know it until it melts.

[ali_kat]

I'd not have been leaving it unattended, Housemate would still be here

As it is, I'm not leaving now anyway, so will defrost it in the morning

[jeff m]

Close the shut off, open the garden tap and turn on your washing machine.
Hair drier, although a heat gun would be better and start to heat the pipes until you hear some movement or see some dripping.
Once you get small dribble open the shut off a bit and the flow will de ice your pipes.
Close shut off leaving the pipes to drain and locate the nearest laundrette.

Tapping the pipes with a lump of metal also helps.

[ali_kat]

Can't close the shut off, that is where it is frozen

Currently have my hairdryer propped up against it, solid with ice

It was lagged well too.

[ali_kat]

Pipes are warm, ice has melted on the outside from the link at a join, but no running water yet & I'm out of accessible pipe

[Munter]

If the pipe under sink is the one frozen. Do not use trangia stove burners next to the pipes on the lower shelf of the kitchen cupboard to defrost them. You will set fire to the bottom of the shelf above after a few minutes. And you will have a bit of a panic putting out the kitchen units with no running water. Snow will do though.

[ali_kat]

Ok, now have running water to the outside tap, just the washing machine that is frozen now

[jeff m]

This is a really good "I don't currently have a boyfriend post"

Run the nearest hot tap til it runs hot. That should get your hot fill working on your washer assuming it is still switched on. The cold fill will follow.

If your shut off is frozen then it is probably just one for changing tap washers. You should one before the pipe leaves unheated space that you can shut off during cooler times.

[Munter]

jeff m said:

This is a really good "I don't currently have a boyfriend post"

Run the nearest hot tap til it runs hot. That should get your hot fill working on your washer assuming it is still switched on. The cold fill will follow.

If your shut off is frozen then it is probably just one for changing tap washers. You should one before the pipe leaves unheated space that you can shut off during cooler times.

Someone is assuming that there are two pipes running to the washing machine....

[ali_kat]

Thanks Jeff! Fortunately I have an ex who is golden (now!!)

No hot water near it It runs from the downstairs loo, the pipe comes off the cold feed to the toilet's tank (before it!!) and there is no hot water piped in there (which means you have to use cold water to wash your hands in)