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markglen1984 · Nov 28, 2010, 06:47 AM

For some reason I have hot and cold water down stairs but only cold water upstairs. Are the pipes frozen? If so why have they frozen within the house and not on there way in?

massplumber2008 · Nov 28, 2010, 07:30 AM

Hi Mark...

The fact is that hot water actually freezes faster than cold water so missing hot water to all fixtures upstairs certainly leads me to believe that you could actually have frozen pipes... ;)

Do you have an overhang on the upper floor of the house? DO pipes go into your attic? How about the hot water pipe in the basement... can you follow it to where it goes vertical to the 2nd floor and is it in an area up against an outside wall? Let me know, OK?

Otherwise, to begin thawing the pipe you'll want to open up the vanity base and perhaps remove the trim plate from around the shower and then take a HAIR DRYER and blow some warm air into the area behind the wall at the shower valve and hold the dryer about a 1/2-3/4" off the hot water pipe under the sink and try to thaw the pipes that way. Try this in 5 minute increments so as not to burn the hair dryer out. If the pipe under the sink gets extremely hot you will want to remove the flexible braided hose if present.

Finally, the key to thawing pipes is to have an OPEN OUTLET for the water to come out once unfrozen... if no outlet the pipe just refreezes so be sure to leave your hot water faucets open while thawing.

Let me know how you make out, OK?

Mark

Fr_Chuck · Nov 28, 2010, 07:45 AM

The water pipe coming into the house is normally buried under ground and if done properly seldom will freeze. The pipes in the walls of a home are often close to outside walls and can freeze easier.

markglen1984 · Nov 28, 2010, 07:48 AM

The hot water pipes go up an external weall before they go under the floor boards of the 1st floor. I have turned the central heating on and turned the taps on and the water has started to move. Is there a way to ensure it won't happen again?

markglen1984 · Nov 28, 2010, 08:40 AM

Thanks. So is there nothing I can do to ensure it doesn't happen again? It just seems weird that it has happened now when it never has in the past 4 years. And last year it was much colder

massplumber2008 · Nov 28, 2010, 08:47 AM

Sometimes the wind and sometimes the lack of sun, etc. set up a potential for freezing.. this time conditions were just right!

On extremely cold days/nights you can leave the vanity base open... that might do it in itself.

Otherwise, leave a small drip out of the hot water faucet during the questionable times and that should prevent any future freeze ups.

Mark