I had an outside tap fitted by a professional plumber last autumn. During the recent cold weather the feed pipe under the kitchen sink froze and the compression joint where the pipe enters an isolation valve now leaks. The outside tap was covered for the winter by an insulating blanket.
I believe the problem is that the feed pipe from the T joint with the cold water riser ((up to the cold water tap in the sink) travels horizontally for about 12 inches before turning vertically upwards for a further 12 inches and then bending 90 degrees to pass through the outside wall to the garden tap. This arrangement means that the “L”-shaped pipe (two 12-inch sections) cannot be drained despite the outside tap being opened and the isolator under the sink being turned off.
Is this an acceptable way to fit an outside tap? Also, should I solve the problem by inserting a drainage tap adjacent to the isolator? If so, what is the best 15mm drainage fitting?
Comments appreciated.
I believe the problem is that the feed pipe from the T joint with the cold water riser ((up to the cold water tap in the sink) travels horizontally for about 12 inches before turning vertically upwards for a further 12 inches and then bending 90 degrees to pass through the outside wall to the garden tap. This arrangement means that the “L”-shaped pipe (two 12-inch sections) cannot be drained despite the outside tap being opened and the isolator under the sink being turned off.
Is this an acceptable way to fit an outside tap? Also, should I solve the problem by inserting a drainage tap adjacent to the isolator? If so, what is the best 15mm drainage fitting?
Comments appreciated.
