Heating Solutions & Frozen Pipes Advice please!!

lou06

Hi

We are currently suffering from frozen pipes for the past 4 days with the kitchen taps not working.

This is still ongoing and we have tried in vain to get them going again with no luck.

We have contact Scottish Water and they cannot locate the shut off toby so really anxious that we don't have a burst pipe. They advised us to turn the cold water tap on slight to allow water to trickle through once thawed.

We have laminate flooring in the kitchen can don't really want to rip this up unless we really have to

If the cause of freezing is from the outside wall is there any way of helping insulate this temporary?
We have had a fan heater under the sink and then the mini oil heater on overnight inside the cupboard, still not helping.

This has brought us to raise the subject to look at heating systems, as I'm fed up with always shouting close the door etc etc.

The House & Heating source at the moment: -

. A 3 bed semi detached cottage/bunglow, cavity walls & attic insulated.

. Electric Supply only to the area

. Total heating Total Control and we are on economy 7 as we did have x2 storage heaters that weren't working so took out a couple of years ago, contact Hydro Electric and they said we are still cheaper on this tariff than others.

Bedroom 1 & 2 - have small dimplex panel heaters that work great.
Bedroom 3 - No heating
Livingroom - Using x2 small oil heaters totally 1600 watts max when both turned on. (South facing - so lovely and warm in the better months)
Kitchen - Large Dimplex panel heater.
Bathroom - No heating.


My DH has suggested about looking into a multifuel stove, (to be honest think he likes the idea of a real fire) but before we go into a shop and ask for advice, we would like to know more about it.

1. If this is the best way to go
2. How system could be linked up - cost of installing a couple of radiators? Anything can only be better than what we've got!
3. Any other options available?

Sorry for my ramblings, totally fed up at the moment!

Lou x

nancyo

Heat is what you need and lots of it

I hope the pipes dont burst and you get it all sorted out

lou06

Hi nancyo

Thanks I've got my fingers & toes crossed

House feels very warm at the moment but there must be a cold spot somewhere, DH is'nt bothered he is loving the cold weather - his passion being ice climbing lol!

annscullamus

Sadly I just had a big burst pipe and the house is a total mess. The plumber who stopped the burst said to keep all loft hatches opened to allow warmth to get to the pipes in the loft (where my burst was) So all hatches are not open. Just a tip.

nancyo

Fingers Crossed for you

I hate this weather not been able to get to work for a couple of weeks now, not do to the lack of attempting.

So many neighbours with problems, I heard that the icicles went through one guys conservatory...

Bad times

lou06

annscullamus wrote: »

Sadly I just had a big burst pipe and the house is a total mess. The plumber who stopped the burst said to keep all loft hatches opened to allow warmth to get to the pipes in the loft (where my burst was) So all hatches are not open. Just a tip.

Oh poor you, that is what my fear is, many thanks for the advice and really hope you get the house sorted, I'm really feeling for you x

keystone

lou06 wrote: »

Hi

We are currently suffering from frozen pipes for the past 4 days with the kitchen taps not working.

Both hot and cold or just cold? Look under your sink for any pipework that is exposed to cold drafts - its likely that if there is an ice plug thats where it will be and yes it will affect hot as well as cold as the hot pipe is usually cold for most of the time. Warm gently with a hair dryer. What is your current source for hot water?

We have contact Scottish Water and they cannot locate the shut off toby so really anxious that we don't have a burst pipe. They advised us to turn the cold water tap on slight to allow water to trickle through once thawed.

It won't be a supply problem - pipes don't freeze underground so it isn't a Scottish Water issue. Leaving a tap open to trickle will probably result in frozen waste pipes and if a joint has popped under ice pressure its going to pour out of there before the tap starts dribbling.

We have laminate flooring in the kitchen can don't really want to rip this up unless we really have to

Better to have to lift laminate and relay than ceramic tiles.

We have had a fan heater under the sink and then the mini oil heater on overnight inside the cupboard, still not helping.

You'll be needing more direct heat on the affected area - particularly if theres an icy blast getting in thats causing the problem in the first place and that hasn't been fixed.

This has brought us to raise the subject to look at heating systems, as I'm fed up with always shouting close the door etc etc.

Different subject methinks for another thread.

Cheers

lou06

It is really bad all over the other day some poor person was standing outside at one of the shops in the retail park and and icicle dropped down cost them their life.

That's when you appreciate that it's best to stay at home

lou06

Keystone

Many thanks for your much valued advice, I can now show my Husband that it will really be worth the hassle to lift the flooring - bless him he only got round to sticking on the beading round the skirting a few weeks ago, laminate itself has been down 4 years!

thanks again

lou06

It's both hot and cold taps. Bathrooom & Utility room where the washing machine is are still okay.

keystone

lou06 wrote: »

Keystone

Many thanks for your much valued advice,

You are too kind.:o

I can now show my Husband that it will really be worth the hassle to lift the flooring - bless him he only got round to sticking on the beading round the skirting a few weeks ago, laminate itself has been down 4 years!

thanks again

Check accessible pipework inside cabinets first. You may find its there and the floor doesn't have to be lifted at all.

Cheers