frozen pipes (again)

[karenmac60]

Ok, I had frozen pipes 2 weeks ago and ended up with a burst pipe. Got up this morning and the pipes were frozen again. This time I managed to thaw them out (here's a handy hint, if the pipes are in the kitchen and you have a tumble dryer with an outflow hose, move the dryer so you can put the hose in at the pipes and leave the dryer running with the taps turned on, till the water comes through). I don't want to keep having to go through this though, and from what I've read it's standing water that causes the problem. If I left a tap running just a little bit over night, would the movement of the water stop the pipes freezing up?

[DTCwordfan]

it helps, especially on hot water where there is a more rapid heat loss effect. In more sane times, pouring water into two ice cube trays, one with boiling one with room temp and freezing them, the boiling one will give you cubes for your gin quicker....

[karenmac60]

Thanks DT, I will keep that in mind - we must get our priorities straight and remember that the pipes can do what they like, but the gin MUST be cold ;)

[DTCwordfan]

just keep the taps dripping, it soesnt have to be a stream; enough for the water to be on the move.......

[sandyRoe]

Yes. During the last cold spell the pipes froze. This time I'm leaving the cold water tap running and, so far, no problems.

[DTCwordfan]

I keep my gin in the fridge....glassful of ice, and the tonic and then a good mix is 1/3rd gin 2/rds a squeeze of lime and throw a slice in. And if you want a real kick take it up to 50-50 or 60-40. Tanqueray is my preference.

Gin is not popular in Exxon as the Capt of the Exxon Valdez remarked, . "I said a Tanqueray on the rocks, not a Tanker."

[AlBags]

Karen .. Is this freezing in a lobby .. or UN-heated area?
Are the associated freezing pipe(s) entering from an outside/underground area?

[karenmac60]

It is the pipes in my kitchen Al. I live in first/second floor maisonette with an unheated drying area below me and an empty flat above. The pipes that are freezing are within the pipechase, but after a previous leak from the flat above I had a plumber out who said that the water supply in these flats goes up one pipechase, turns at the top and down the pipechase of the adjacent flats - so I'm not exactly sure whether the water flows in from above or below.

[AlBags]

Is there access to this channel then? From inside covers?
Not many ways to prevent the problem .. Lagging or filling void with vermiculite granules maybe ... Stopping any cold air getting drawn in another.

[karenmac60]

The pipes are boxed in, behind my fitted units - and there's a vent in there somewhere too so it's absolutely freezing in that corner. I doubt I'd be able to get in at them properly without ripping the units out. Even the plumber was cursing it upside down when he was trying to repair the burst last time - access is very tight and limited. I left the tap on a trickle last night though, and all was well today :)

[AlBags]

I wonder where the cold draught is coming from .. That could be sealed up IF found. No air is better than cold air in this case at the moment.

Nice hair BTW : ) x

[karenmac60]

It's coming from the vent.
Thanks :)