Written by: 1/6/2010 5:36 PM
It’s a simple fact that when water freezes, it expands. Unfortunately the pipes used for your plumbing are not so flexible, resulting in burst pipes and water damage in your home. Any home with poor insulation is at risk (think many of the homes built in the last 7 years) and any space within the home where pipes are exposed to a cold air flow are vulnerable – think attic spaces, outside walls and cracked wall coverings. If in doubt, check your home out by following the investigative steps below.
A frozen pipe does not leak, so the first indication is a disrupted water supply– with little or no water coming from your taps. A quick inspection of your piping may also reveal frost on the exterior of the pipe in question.
What to do if your pipes freeze
10 comment(s) so far...
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeI came home last night and had no water in upstairs bathroom. Went into the attic and saw that the outlet pipe to the water tank was frosted over. I think I got ot it in time - used a flex and hairdyer to thaw it out. Good advice, I hope not too many people experience it
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home
I came home last night and had no water in upstairs bathroom. Went into the attic and saw that the outlet pipe to the water tank was frosted over. I think I got ot it in time - used a flex and hairdyer to thaw it out. Good advice, I hope not too many people experience it
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeOur pipes are frozen at the moment and the valve on the external mains is frozen and can't be turned. We don't have a main stop valve under the sink. Is there anything else we can do?
Our pipes are frozen at the moment and the valve on the external mains is frozen and can't be turned. We don't have a main stop valve under the sink. Is there anything else we can do?
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeYou can try thawing the valve out - but go gently! Use a hairdryer or rags with hot water on them to do this. John E
You can try thawing the valve out - but go gently! Use a hairdryer or rags with hot water on them to do this. John E
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeIs it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic.
Is it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic.
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeI have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?
I have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeAnswers to both questions - "Is it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic."It's only a good idea as a last resport - you will lose a lot of heat from the house, so it's expensive. If you have an even temperature in the house through out the day you should be Ok, but you should make sure to lag any exposed pipes to prevent it from happening."I have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?"Follow the steps above - it's good advice. How do you know the pipes in the attic are frozen ? Your mains water supply (usually at your kitchen sink tap) should still work, but your bathroom taps etc. do not. Try locate the freeze point, thaw it using a gentle heat. Poster above gave a few options. You should then be Ok.
Answers to both questions - "Is it a good idea to open the trap door to the attic to avoid pipes freezing or does that lead to dondensation in the attic."It's only a good idea as a last resport - you will lose a lot of heat from the house, so it's expensive. If you have an even temperature in the house through out the day you should be Ok, but you should make sure to lag any exposed pipes to prevent it from happening."I have frozen pipes in the attic & no water in the house, I have a compi system so I have no cylinder in the house. So have you an ideas what I can do do get water back?"Follow the steps above - it's good advice. How do you know the pipes in the attic are frozen ? Your mains water supply (usually at your kitchen sink tap) should still work, but your bathroom taps etc. do not. Try locate the freeze point, thaw it using a gentle heat. Poster above gave a few options. You should then be Ok.
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeI have no water coming in the Kitchen or in Garden Pipe. As advised I closed the valve. I am using the remaining water from tank at present.Don't know how long it last.How do I locate the freeze point and rectify?
I have no water coming in the Kitchen or in Garden Pipe. As advised I closed the valve. I am using the remaining water from tank at present.Don't know how long it last.How do I locate the freeze point and rectify?
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeSounds like the feeze is outside your house. Are any neighbours in the same situation ? Can you contact the council ? Check any pipes outside the house for frost etc and thaw as above. If the freeze is beneath the ground you will need to contact council as disucssed. Philip
Sounds like the feeze is outside your house. Are any neighbours in the same situation ? Can you contact the council ? Check any pipes outside the house for frost etc and thaw as above. If the freeze is beneath the ground you will need to contact council as disucssed. Philip
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the Home I have a question? I live in Tn and back a few weeks ago when had a pretty cold week mainly in the 20s and low teens at night. We were leasing a our house we use to live in and moved out of town. Our tenants ended up moving out and all utilites were turned off. So no heat, electricity or water. We didn't have anything turned back on in the house before the cold snap hit. Should I be worried when I turn the water back on that a pipe might have burst. The water had been off for about 2 weeks before the weather got like that. We are trying to sell the house and it's a newer built home. 2005 so I know the pipes are probably insulated pretty good. I just wonder what I should expect when we have the water turned back on and how I would know right off the bat if one had burst. Thanks
I have a question? I live in Tn and back a few weeks ago when had a pretty cold week mainly in the 20s and low teens at night. We were leasing a our house we use to live in and moved out of town. Our tenants ended up moving out and all utilites were turned off. So no heat, electricity or water. We didn't have anything turned back on in the house before the cold snap hit. Should I be worried when I turn the water back on that a pipe might have burst. The water had been off for about 2 weeks before the weather got like that. We are trying to sell the house and it's a newer built home. 2005 so I know the pipes are probably insulated pretty good. I just wonder what I should expect when we have the water turned back on and how I would know right off the bat if one had burst. Thanks
Re: Surviving the Freeze – Frozen Freezing and Burst Pipes in the HomeHi Ashley, If the water was switched off, then there was probably no water in the pipes to freeze. I say "probably", as it would depend if you fully drained the system after the water was switched off - if there was residual water then it could have frozen. That said, there was no load on the system as it was not being used. For these reasons it is unlikely you will have a burst but if you are any way in doubt get a plumber out. Best of luck!
Hi Ashley, If the water was switched off, then there was probably no water in the pipes to freeze. I say "probably", as it would depend if you fully drained the system after the water was switched off - if there was residual water then it could have frozen. That said, there was no load on the system as it was not being used. For these reasons it is unlikely you will have a burst but if you are any way in doubt get a plumber out. Best of luck!
New site launched!
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:59:00 +0100
Commercial Vehicle Tax Proposals untenable
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:27:00 +0100
Home Improvement Spending Trends
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:25:00 +0100