Pipe freezing kit - anyone used one?

ironmonkey

I need to change a tap washer (hot) except there is no isolating valve under the sink and the gate valve near the hot water tank has seized. So without wanting to drain the cold water tanks in the loft, has anyone used a pipe freezing kit? If so are they any good?

Cheers

EssexExile

Many, many years ago, when they first came out. Just wrapped the blanket round the pipe, sprayed the stuff in, waited a bit. It worked fine. I don't suppose they've changed much since the 80s,except for the electric ones that professionals use.

brightontraveller

Can’t you locate and turn of the outside stop valve freezing kits some better than other also pipe size /material temperature etc all have influence on effectiveness and even if you are freezing its advisable to know where or if you can turn stop valve off in case a problem arises

How to locate outside stop valve

http://www.thameswater.co.uk/help-and-advice/13526.htm

If you must go freezing some info that might be useful

http://www.ukcopperboard.co.uk/literature/pdfs/Installation-Tips/Pipe-freezing.pdf

Or use a Expanding Pipe Stoppers/Bungs in the feed from the tanks in the loft ?
15mm & 22mm nylon pipe bungs do quite well

Mrs_Imp

Yes. It did the job very nicely...just. We'd only just finished tightening the last nut when there was a 'ping' and the ice plug dislodged.

Make sure you have everything ready that you might need, you know exactly what you're doing, and have a spare kit ready just in case you hit a snag so you can keep it frozen.

muckybutt

Used many times for repairs where water can't be turned off in commercial premises.

I always find it better to freeze at a pinch point like a t or and elbow joint, the point being there is that should the ice plug start to defrost it isn't going to shoot out all at once !

Always keep the jacket on until you have finished the work though, topping up the refrigerant if needs be.

bridgedino

Soon as you freeze it stick on an isolating valve, in the closed position.

Work away at your leisure without rushing the job

ironmonkey

Thanks for the responses so far. I didn't think about using a bung in the tanks. Are these readily available to buy? I already know where the stop tap is, but using just that would mean the hot cylinder would drain which is what I want to avoid!

southcoastrgi

B&Q or any plumbing merchant

thescouselander

Yes, didn't work well for me. If you have a conventional gravity fed system I'd recommend buying a bung kit and just block the pipe that goes from the cold tank to the hot tank. That way you can take your time and not worry about the ice plug melting. Might be a bit cheaper and they will be available for other jobs too.

Ruski

This is cheaper and free next day delivery