Frozen Cold Water Pipes / Banging

[jefro]

We've recently suffered from frozen cold water pipes which was probably my fault as i didn't isolate and drain an outside tap behind the kitchen sink before the big freeze.

Anyway now that's done and as an extra precaution I'm looking at lagging the pipework where i can.

Can anyone suggest the best material for lagging (i've used the grey B&Q stuff in the past - not sure if it's any good though?) and also to stop some minor banging that's occurring.

Thanks

 

[tommyl18]

the insulation should be at least 15mm thick to regulations but a lot of the insulation u get isnt that thick but should do the job if youve got banging thats because some pipes that are unclipped need fixing

 

[tincup]

Any lagging is better then none.
Just make sure it nice and snug.

 

[jefro]

thanks, appreciate the advice.

I'll make sure i lag and clip well!

 

[stiler]

Best available is Knauf. It has superior insulation properties to the extruded polystyrene type.
http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/products/crown_pipe_insulation.aspx

 

[jefro]

update...

Ok I located some loose pipework which also crossed in several places underneath the new fitted kitchen. I seperated the plastic pipework and clipped every couple of feet and have also insulated with climaflex where possible (some of the pipework is too close to wall /adjacent pipes). I concentrated on the cold water piping as that's where my initial freeze was.

No frozen pipes since, but we've had no sustained minus temperatures in Manchester recently.

The original banging seemed to occur in two places;
1. where the hot and cold crossed just before they were capped off (a result of moving the plumbing for an extension) - this now seems fine with the improvised "seperation dampener"
2. both valves below the hot / cold mixer tap to the kitchen sink. Reading elsewhere I think this maybe water hammer? I may be overly conscious of it now but i've seen you can get arrestors, anyone recommend if they're worth it?

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

where possible (some of the pipework is too close to wall /adjacent pipes).

pipes adjacent to an outside wall are the ones that will freeze first.

 

[jefro]

where possible (some of the pipework is too close to wall /adjacent pipes).

pipes adjacent to an outside wall are the ones that will freeze first.

Yes should be ok then - pretty much got all the pipework on any outer walls insulated (cold water especially). We've got the boiler in the adjoining garage on the "internal" wall next to the house. But we seem to have three 15mm pipes for water entering the house - i've only managed to insulate one of the outer ones for reasons described above.