Outside Tap Frozen/Washing Machine

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elainem

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My outside tap has been frozen for the last few days. Unable to turn it on due to it being frozen. However, was able to turn it on this evening, but no water in it. Also, there is still no water to my washing machine in the shed. Question: Should I leave outside tap in on position with no water coming through. Also, how long should it take freezing pipes to thaw - basically I was wondering if in two or three days time I still have no water in my outside tap or coming through to my washing machine, do I need to call in a plumber? All taps, showers etc in the house are working perfectly. Thanks.
 
A tip I got is to boil a kettle of water and soak an old towel in it. Wring it out and wrap around outside tap completely. After about an hour it will free up the tap. More than no water will come out but turn on the tap a little in any case and when the water comes back it will flow easier. Cover off the outside tap with an old pair of wool tights/stockings or cut up and old jumper. You should then cover the outside tap with a wooden or plastic container - you can hang it on the 'insulated' tap. I have the same problem - no water yet!



elainem said:
My outside tap has been frozen for the last few days. Unable to turn it on due to it being frozen. However, was able to turn it on this evening, but no water in it. Also, there is still no water to my washing machine in the shed. Question: Should I leave outside tap in on position with no water coming through. Also, how long should it take freezing pipes to thaw - basically I was wondering if in two or three days time I still have no water in my outside tap or coming through to my washing machine, do I need to call in a plumber? All taps, showers etc in the house are working perfectly. Thanks.
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Had a similar problem and pouring warm water over the outside stopcock solved the problem. However, I also have a sink in the shed, and the waste water of the washing machine goes into the same trap - the water in the trap was frozen as well, so had to unfreeze this. Check your waste water as well!
 
had the same problem myself on saturday, but with an other half and 4 kids leaving it until the thaw, whenever that is, is not an option for me.my water to my shed is in a qualpex (plastic) pipe so i cut the outside pipe stuck on an isolation valve and ran in a 6m length of qualpex as a temporary supply that i have been connecting and then dis-connecting again at night. a bit elaborate for everyone i know but think of all my new brownie points.
 
While at the kitchen sink (as if!) I heard the outside tap running. So water is back there. That was the only place where it was frozen. I think leaving the tap on a little when it was frozen is a good idea as it flows which gives it `room` in the pipes. Yea, the pipes are qualplex here too and I am guessing pretty resilient against cracking....I hope!
 
Hi! everyone, thanks for all your replies. Some of it, I hate to admit -goes over my head (Def. not a feminist where house stuff goes!). Another problem now is that water in outside tap is back, but washing machine still not filling - with two children who spent the last few days sledging the snow - I really need it to work - it is only a new machine - two weeks old. Any thoughts? Thanks again.
 
If your washing machine is in the shed, where is the water coming from? From a pipe from your house to your shed? Is it buried deep underground. If not, chances are, its frozen somewhere along it.

Can you ask a nice neighbour to put a load of laundry on?
 
Can you ask a nice neighbour to put a load of laundry on? thats if indeed anyone knows their neighbours any more
 
I have just had this problem myself. we have had the outside tap running since the cold weather set in, so no problems there. But two nights ago the actual residual water in the washing machine froze. Try not to run your machine if this happens as it will probably brake the inlet water valve, resulting in more money being spent to replace.
What i done is got one of them small portable electric air heaters that I had collecting dust up in the attic. plugged it in and hung it over the top of the machine blowing warm air down the back of the machine. 20 minutes later switched off heater and tried washing machine again......hey presto it worked. I am on my second load of washing as we speak.
 
RonanC said:
Why Why Why?????
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Because we have three kids who go through clothes no end and we need a washing machine. Because we need water to cook food, because we have three kids and they need washing as well, Oh did i mention we have three kids. And the biggest reason are my neighbors either side of us have had no water for the past three days, (they did not leave there water running) and we have been topping up there large plastic bins with water for them. Is that reason enough RonanC!!!!
 
minkydog said:
Because we have three kids who go through clothes no end and we need a washing machine. Because we need water to cook food, because we have three kids and they need washing as well, Oh did i mention we have three kids. And the biggest reason are my neighbors either side of us have had no water for the past three days, (they did not leave there water running) and we have been topping up there large plastic bins with water for them. Is that reason enough RonanC!!!!
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minkydog,

There is a shortage of water. The reservoirs are running low even in the middle of winter. So water taps should not be left on. You are not the only person with children.
 
Thanks for replies. Washing machine back working after leaving heat on it shed overnight. Everyone else - make your point but no need to get reactionary!! I was advised by plumber - otherwise I would never have thought of it - to leave outside tap 'trickling' for 2 nights. I'm hardly the sole cause of wather shortgage. Get real!!
 
minkydog said:
Because we have three kids who go through clothes no end and we need a washing machine. Because we need water to cook food, because we have three kids and they need washing as well, Oh did i mention we have three kids. And the biggest reason are my neighbors either side of us have had no water for the past three days, (they did not leave there water running) and we have been topping up there large plastic bins with water for them. Is that reason enough RonanC!!!!
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No to be honest its not enough of a reason. There is a huge shortage of water at the moment, elderly immobile people without water for days and days, relying on having water delivered to them by neighbours.

Leaving water running is not the answer. Having pipes well insulated is an answer.

Everyone needs water to cook food, wash clothes and so on, it does not give you or anyone else for that matter the right to leave a tap running for the length of time you appear to say you did (since the cold weather set in)

end of rant.
 
ronanc said:
no to be honest its not enough of a reason. There is a huge shortage of water at the moment, elderly immobile people without water for days and days, relying on having water delivered to them by neighbours.

Leaving water running is not the answer. Having pipes well insulated is an answer.

Everyone needs water to cook food, wash clothes and so on, it does not give you or anyone else for that matter the right to leave a tap running for the length of time you appear to say you did (since the cold weather set in)

end of rant.
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+1
 
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