Frozen pipes - Top Tips

[Ck]

It's bloody freezing and not only are you cold, your pipes will be too. If you discover that your pipes have frozen follow these tips.

Frozen pipes should be thawed out as soon as possible to prevent them from cracking. Thaw U-bends under a sink by wrapping them in cloths wrung out in hot water. You can thaw frozen outdoor pipes by pouring boiling hot water around the area of the pipe that is frozen. (Take care if using this method on cast iron drain pipes, it's probably safer to use hot water rather than boiling).

If you go to turn on your tap and only a trickle comes out - suspect a frozen pipe. You can locate where the frozen area is by turning the water off at the main, turning on the tap fed from the frozen pipe and feel your way along the pipe to locate the frozen area.

Next, hold a hairdryer on a warm setting close to the frozen part of the pipe. Do not put a hot hairdryer too close to a plastic pipe. As the ice melts it should turn into water and trickle away. Once the ice has started to melt you can turn the water back on as the flowing water will help to melt the ice.

Prevent freezing - Take precautions

Keep cold air out by keeping bath and sink plugs in place during icy spells.

You can put a handful of cooking salt down drains last thing at night to prevent drains from freezing.

Insulate pipes with foam.

There is a suggestion that you can keep water moving for pipes that tend to freeze regularly, some people suggest leaving cold taps running slightly overnight during cold spells. I wouldn't recommend this personally as I have had a drainpipe freeze from the bottom upwards, right the way to to very top of the drain, into the bath pipes and got up in the morning to find 8 inches of solid ice in the bath tub.

If anyone has any more suggestions, or horror stories to share, feel free to add.

Disclaimer - I will not be held responsible for any mis haps due to anyone following this advice. I am not a qualified plumber.

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[badger47]

Erm, what do you do in your spare time?

[jools182]

plumber!

[badger47]

Curious was all

[SFB]

Putting plugs in baths, sinks and basins does not help, the water in traps stops air from passing through them.

[Ck]

Putting plugs in baths, sinks and basins does not help, the water in traps stops air from passing through them.

What water?

[timey]

What water?

The water in the u-bends etc.

[SFB]

What water?

I thought you were the expert?

All traps contain water to stop smells emanating from the drainpipes.

[Ck]

ahhh I see.

I still don't get why though. If there's water trapped in your bend then it's better if it stays at house temperature rather than risk outdoor temp getting in - ie freezing.

[terry]

Just had the plumer round to sort out a leak in the kitchen, the hard water filter got a leak - ah the joy - not that it was anything to do with the cold weather mind, just thought I would mention it!