Are my pipes frozen???

jane_72

I have an outside toilet and an inside one, the problem is, yesterday i went to use the outside loo and the it would not flush, the cistern tank remained empty. Is this because the outside pipes are frozen? and the cistern cant be filled up? if so, whats should i do? I have turned the water off at the stop tap that is connected to the outside loo...

Also, the inside loo was'nt flushing properly this morning....it seems ok now!! but could this be connected or is it just a coincedence?

Any tips would be much appreciated....


Thank you!!!

derrick

jane_72 wrote: »

I have an outside toilet and an inside one, the problem is, yesterday i went to use the outside loo and the it would not flush, the cistern tank remained empty. Is this because the outside pipes are frozen? and the cistern cant be filled up? if so, whats should i do? I have turned the water off at the stop tap that is connected to the outside loo...

Also, the inside loo was'nt flushing properly this morning....it seems ok now!! but could this be connected or is it just a coincedence?

Any tips would be much appreciated....


Thank you!!!

Yes it sounds like it is frozen.

Turn the water back on, and starting from the cistern and working away from it, warm the pipe with a hairdryer, as it warms and unfreezes, the water will start to flow and fill the cistern.

Next job is to fit insulation to the pipe so as to prevent freezing.

27col

Fitting insulation is obviously a good thing. Two things to bear mind.
1) Make sure that all the corners are well taped up to prevent any pipework being exposed.
2) Even if the pipes are insulated. It will not necessarily prevent the pipes freezing if exposed to long periods at below freezing temperatures. It will delay the onset of freezing for quite a long time, however. If the room gets above freezing during the day then probably the insulation will be sufficient without having to add a little heat during the coldest periods.

ormus

my MIL has an outside loo. (inside bathroom too).
the outside loo is very cold in winter, and they have a greenhouse type parraffin heater in there. to be used on the freezing nights.
old type high level cistern. and the pipes are lagged.