Frozen or Burst Outside Tap
No flow from the garden tap after a cold snap, or water appearing inside the wall when it's opened..
No flow from the garden tap after a cold snap, or water appearing inside the wall when it's opened.
What is actually going on
No flow from the garden tap after a cold snap, or water appearing inside the wall when it's opened.
The realistic causes, in order
Water left in the pipe over winter with no internal isolation valve to drain it A split in the copper or the tap body itself after freezing A failed backflow device or check valve inside the tap assembly
What we test on site
Whether the split is in the tap, the wall pipe or the internal branch Presence and condition of the internal isolating and drain valve Backflow protection, which is a requirement on outside taps
Worth checking today if you have a frozen or burst outside tap
- Close the internal isolation valve if one is fitted before thawing anything
- Check inside the wall or cupboard for damp before opening the tap
- Outside taps require backflow protection under the water regulations. Any replacement should include the correct device.
Who does the work
- Gas Safe registered engineers — registration 554328
- Worcester Bosch accredited installer
- John The Plumb Ltd, company registration 10026483
Get a frozen or burst outside tap diagnosed properly
Replacement with an isolating valve and proper backflow protection stops it happening again.
Questions we get asked
Where does a frozen or burst outside tap usually start in the pipework?
Water left in the pipe over winter with no internal isolation valve to drain it
What normally puts a frozen or burst outside tap right?
Replacement with an isolating valve and proper backflow protection stops it happening again.
Is it safe to keep using the system with a frozen or burst outside tap?
Outside taps require backflow protection under the water regulations. Any replacement should include the correct device.