Help - frozen pipe?

starre

Hi

There's no water getting into the attic tank, I ran it out in the shower this morning. There's no water in the hot taps. There is water coming in the main kitchen cold tap.

I presume there is a water pipe frozen somewhere?

I haven't a clue what to do as I've never had this problem before. I can't get through to the letting agency for the house.

Am I supposed to do anything? What if I get a leak if it unfreezes?

There's gas heating, this was on and is still on. I presume it's ok to keep it on?

Thanks for your help

FoxT

Your gas heating should be OK. Thawing your mains water pipe is going to be a headache though. Do you know where it runs? is it lagged?

If you have access to the pipe then it might be able to assist thawing by say wrapping an electric blanket around it but given that it is probably inaccessible / underground I'd say you are stuck.

DEVEREUX

First Id turn off the mains under sink, you could well have a damaged pipe once the water in pipe thaws and at mains pressure a lot of damage can happen very quickly. Have you access to the attic space?

starre

There is water coming out of the hot taps now, but I'm worried about using them or any appliances.

There is lagging all over everything in the attic.

I put the heating on to about 24 degrees.

The mains comes from underground, at the kitchen.

We were told in a letter by the landlords to keep the attic door open and the kitchen press open if we got very cold nights like last night. We did this. Was it good advice?

What is the best way to stop pipes freezing?

Thanks again, really appreciate it.

Sparkpea

heat is the only way to stop pipes freezing even if it means running ur heating 24/7 but at 55/60 degrees. yes leave attic door open a little. if you can find where its frozen try pouring hot (not roasting) water over the pipe or using a hair drier. you shouldnt get a burst pipe as the ballcock will have dropped giving the pipe/water room to expand once it starts to thaw.

starre

thanks

Sorry Devereux, I missed your post earlier. I have access to the attic space, but I can't get up (arthritis). Someone will be home again later. If I turn it off how do I know if I pipe might be damaged? Sorry, I know these are probably very basic questions!

I can get hot water from the kitchen tap, but it is at a very low pressure.

Thanks sparkpea

Buford T Justice

starre wrote: »

thanks

Sorry Devereux, I missed your post earlier. I have access to the attic space, but I can't get up (arthritis). Someone will be home again later. If I turn it off how do I know if I pipe might be damaged? Sorry, I know these are probably very basic questions!

I can get hot water from the kitchen tap, but it is at a very low pressure.

Thanks sparkpea

Unless the pipe is very obviously split some place, then you won't really know there's a leak until water flows through it and you can see it dripping somewhere.

You sure the water has frozen in the house, and not outside of it before it comes in?

Lex Luthor

I had same problem yesterday and in Jan.

The pipe that feeds the attic is frozen somewhere, most likely where it runs up the back of the house or in the attic. Mine thawed out yesterday, but you need to get water back in your attic tank to help flush toilets, etc and fill your hot water cylinder.

I ran a garden hose from the kitchen sink up the stairs and filled it that way.

After that, its trying to keep it topped up. I just go up every day with about 8 buckets of water.

I also keep a bucket of water in the bathroom for filling the toilet cistern after flushing.

starre

Hi again,

Thanks for the replies.

managed to find where it was frozen. The hairdryer trick worked, didn't have any leaks.

Thanks for the help