Has the tap slowed to a trickle or stopped after a freezing night? Water may have frozen in a pipe running through the building’s unheated communal stairwell. However, an interruption does not automatically mean a frozen pipe: check whether the general water supply has stopped first. If you notice frost, bulging or a leak, a plumber should inspect the line and identify the cause.
A “frozen pipe” means the water inside has turned to ice. A stairwell being cool is not enough on its own. Risk increases when the pipe’s surroundings remain below freezing for a prolonged period. An entrance door that does not close, a broken window or an uninsulated line near an external wall can increase exposure to cold.
Ice can restrict or stop the flow. Pressure associated with freezing can damage the pipe or its joints, but not every frozen pipe bursts. Damage may become visible only when the ice thaws and water starts flowing again. Restoring flow therefore needs to be followed by a leak check.
Check other taps and ask whether neighbouring flats have water. If the whole building is affected, ask building management and the water supplier about an interruption. A problem confined to one flat or flats on the same riser helps narrow the search, but does not by itself confirm freezing.
If you know your flat’s shut-off valve and can reach it safely, close it when a leak occurs. Coordinate work on a shared supply with building management. Do not strike the pipe, dismantle joints or use a flame or boiling water to heat it. Do not operate an electric heater in a wet area. Leave inaccessible or damaged frozen lines to a plumber.
Ensure entrance doors and windows close properly and address unwanted draughts. Keep required ventilation and escape routes clear. Pipe insulation should suit the material, diameter and surroundings, including exposed connections.
Insulation slows heat loss; it does not generate heat. A wrap alone may be insufficient during prolonged freezing conditions. A plumber should assess whether the line needs rerouting through a protected area or a suitable, correctly installed frost-protection system. Learn about our services on the 166 Usta home page.
Tell the plumber when the flow weakened, which flats and taps are affected, where the visible pipe runs and whether there is a leak. Photos taken from a safe position are helpful. Arrange access with building management so any temporary shut-off of the shared supply can be coordinated.
The plumber distinguishes possible freezing from other supply problems and checks the pipe material and signs of damage. The proposed work is explained after inspection. Depending on the findings, the affected section is thawed in a controlled way and damaged pipework or fittings are replaced. Once the supply is restored, the repaired section and nearby joints are checked for leaks before suitable insulation is reinstated.
166 Usta provides an on-site inspection, repairs matched to the cause and a final check. Timing and scope depend on the pipe’s condition, access and arrangements for isolating the shared line; these are clarified during inspection.
If cold weather has interrupted your water supply or a pipe in the stairwell is leaking, book our plumbing service. Call +994 50 274 92 92 or leave your address and a description of the problem on the contact page.
