No water, presumed frozen.

[badback]

I'm looking for a bit of help/advice regarding our water supply being off, I'm almost certain it's frozen pipes. I've checked all internal pipes and can't find any signs of them being frozen, we live in a bungalow and I've had 2 fan heaters aimed at the only pipes that are susceptible to the cold in the loft. I've had the engineer out and he says it's definately frozen pipes but our insurance doesn't cover frozen pipes just leaks ffs. I've cracked open the mains pipe by the stopcock in the bathroom, it's just damp and no signs of ice. So I'm assuming the pipes are frozen somewhere underground between the house and the other stopcock at the bottom of the drive. None of the neighbours water is off either. Even next doors outside tap isn't frozen thankfully, because that's where I'm getting all our water from. I'm getting a bit cheesed off to say the least, of explaining to my dad who suffers from Altziemers why we have no water, because he forgets anything I've told him after 30 mins. How the hell do I solve this problem? Obviously I can't wait for the weather to improve because that could be next spring. Has anyone any ideas what my next course of action should be? Thx Col.

[bangty 1]

not nice to hear at all m8 um im sure insurance should do some thing if not ring the local boro and have word with them apart from that i dono sorry im not that much help but its one of them peoples job im sure or maybe the water supplyer could help.....hope this is sorted asap m8 really do

[kamar]

hav u phoned ur water supply they mite help..

[badback]

hav u phoned ur water supply they mite help..

Yeah I phoned United Utilities, and they said there's nothing they can do, apart from saying wait until the weather gets warmer.

[bangty 1]

tell um you dads ill and f they dont come have a look im going to the sun worked for my nan when they had leak i no it not the same but people dont want there name n the paper if that dont work say you got a leak and when they get there say well i needed you here to sort it im sure they cant just say wait till it gets warmer just lie lie lie till they sort it i would................plus if you write to sun and say have no water no heating as t runs off water cant was dad has bla bla (cant spell it so ent trying) trust it will get done

[badback]

Fortunately we're still able to have the central heating on, it's a combi boiler and has enough pressure at the moment. So apart from being unable to have a bath/shower and the inconvenience of filling water containers from next door it's not really a desperate situation. Just a general pain in the arse.

[Deztroyer]

the advice on most of the water boards pages

Tips to stop water damage from frozen water pipes
If you discover you have frozen water pipes, follow the following steps to help prevent water damage to your property:

1. Turn off the water supply
Turn off the main stop tap. You should find this under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters your home
Turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank if you have one, it's usually found in the attic or loft
2. Beat water damage from the burst pipe
Protect everything around the frozen water pipe to avoid damage if it bursts.
3. Thawing out
Open the tap nearest to the part of the frozen water pipe so the water can flow through when it has melted
Thaw the ice in the frozen water pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep it well away from any water), beginning from the tap end and working back toward the cold water tank. Never use a heat gun or blow torch

seesm to me you have done everything they recommend Colin .... but its not going to help if the issue is a frozen pipe between the main supply and the house ...

whats the ambient air temp reading where you are at the moment? as no one else is reporting similar occurnaces in the area ???

[bangty 1]

get on the water supply they will help just lie m8 i would

[badback]

Thx Dez, it's just going below -4 outside and there's black ice everywhere. I don't understand why it's only affecting us though, because I've opened up the mains pipe below the stopcock surely that points to it being in the pipe somewhere under the drive.

[markj23]

my mother in law has not given it the look she could freeze the sahara (sorry to make light of your problem)have you tried shutting the main stopcock in the street for a few mins going in house open all taps full then opening the street stopcock again it might be an air lock