On Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:05:37 +0000
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

TheOldFellow wrote:
Did all the right things. Left the (sealed system) heating on,
turned the water stopcock off, drained down the cold water system
right to the stop-cock.

After five days returned to no supply at the drain-down just 3
inches above the stop-cock which is just 4 inches above the slab.

United Utilities says they are very busy, and they might call me
back in a few hours to take details. Sounds like a long wait.

So how can I move the thawing of the supply pipe forward? The
15mm black plastic incommer is gently curving as it enters the
slab, so pushing a thaw-pipe in is going to be hard. Is there any
electrical way - water does conduct a little?

I suspect, that like the electricity supply, it isn't buried far
enough. So I might be into trenching.....

I hate winter.



Yes, well..

I would say that what you need to do is apply gentle heat - fan
heater - to pipe below stopcock.

Even if it is MDPE, it will still conduct a little.

Chances are that is where the ice is.

When you say stopcock, I assume opu mean your won internal one, not
one in the street..



R.


Yes, the internal one. The one in the street is 50 metres away. The
pipe is black plastic, but there is only 3 inches showing above the
slab.

I guess you are saying that the ice is likely to be nearest the house,
as that is where it rises towards the surface. Trouble is that it had
gentle heat on it the whole time I was away (the plinth heater, wet,
is opposite.) Still I'll try that, if today's thaw doesnt start a
dribble.

R.