Outdoor Pipe Lagging

[tiggerblue10]

Following on from my washing machine not working, it appears that I have a frozen pipe outside my annex which doesn't have lagging. None of the cold water taps work in the annex. The hot ones are fine as are all the taps in the main house.

What's the best type of lagging to get for outside pipes? I've seen loads on amazon but need advice. Also, once the lagging is on I presume it will start to defrost the ice even in sub zero temperatures? It'll be just above zero here tomorrow so hoping it will defrost anyway but going back down again by the evening.

[Atheist]

Lagging does not heat up the pipes it is wrapped round; it only stops them losing more heat. I believe there are systems of lagging which incorporate heating element which would actually unfreeze an already frozen pipe, but I'm not sure that they are available for domestic use.
I'll have a look and get back if I see anything.

[tiggerblue10]

Cheers Atheist.

[Atheist]

https://www.coleparmer.co.uk/c/heating-tapes
Rather expensive!

If there is a frozen cold water supply pipe to your annexe it may have already been damaged /split, and will begin to leak once it thaws.

As I've said, the lagging won't defrost your pipes, and it may well delay the defrost because it wil keep the outside warmer air (if the weather gets warmer) from getting at the pipe.

Can you get advice from a local plumber who can see the actual situation?

[calmck]

Do you know where to turn the water off to the annexe in case the pipes burst

[tiggerblue10]

I don't know, Calmck.

The water taps at the front of the annex are now working and so 8s the washing machine but the tap and toilet in the wet room are not working yet. Only the hot water in the shower works so no cold water coming through.

[barry1010]

Can't help but this takes me back to frozen water pipes, overhead toilet cistern and paraffin heater trying to stop the outside lav freezing.
It were nippy digging a path through the snow to the only toilet. Jack Frost really nipped back in the day

[tiggerblue10]

We take such a lot for granted these days, Barry.

Takes me back to my paternal grandparents house in Cyprus. They had a hole in the ground for a toilet away from the main building and you had to wash in a room near the chicken coup!

[Maydup]

Is your annex new Tiggs? Only the cold water should really come up into the house from underground pipes and not through pipes open to the elements.

[tiggerblue10]

It was built in 2016 for the elderly chap who lived here before, Maydup. I bought the house in 2020.

[tiggerblue10]

Wonder what the pipe is outside then?

[tiggerblue10]

One things for sure, my smart meter is showing I've spent £85 on gas alone this week.....!! :o((

[Karamia]

Any pipes that I have protruding outside of house all have pieces of those sponge/foam 'pool noodles' (like you have when learning to swim) covering them. If any outdoor pipes (protruding to outside of house) are not protected/insulated with this foam layer I think it will cause problems.

[Karamia]

£85 pound a week for gas sounds scary. Are you on the standard rate with your energy company? Makes me worry for coming off tariff in April.

[1ozzy]

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Products/Building-Materials/Insulation/Pipe-Insulation+Lagging/c/1000275

For prexisting pipes slit down one side, place around the pipe and tape in place.

[tiggerblue10]

I'm on standard rate, Karamia. I'm with Bulb, soon be Octopus. I should have gone with a fixed rate in October. The reason it's £85 is because I've had to turn all the heaters on in the annex to try and defrost it. Last bill was £55.

[tiggerblue10]

I've got to figure out what the outside pipe is first, 1ozzy.

[tiggerblue10]

**last week was £55, not last bill!