Safely thawing frozen water pipes
Thames Water just sent out this useful tip. I've been hoping like mad that the uninsulated water pipe in my unheated back lobby won't freeze this time round - the local stop tap is stuck solid - but this is worth learning, in case of later disaster.
"...how to thaw out your pipes safely:
Fill up your kettle, then find your stop tap and turn off your water
Turn on all your household taps to let the water run out
Make a hot water bottle with your kettle water, wrap in a tea towel and hold it against your frozen pipe (thawing can take a while, so please be patient)
After the pipe has thawed, wipe some kitchen roll along it to see if there are any leaks."
"...how to thaw out your pipes safely:
Fill up your kettle, then find your stop tap and turn off your water
Turn on all your household taps to let the water run out
Make a hot water bottle with your kettle water, wrap in a tea towel and hold it against your frozen pipe (thawing can take a while, so please be patient)
After the pipe has thawed, wipe some kitchen roll along it to see if there are any leaks."
