Frozen outside tap help !

[paraboy]

My outside tap is frozen with about 4" of plastic 15mm pipe frozen as well before it enters the house what would be the best procedure to thaw this tap/pipe before it explodes on me, thanks in anticipation.

 

[Nige F]

Kettle of hot water poured slowly over it

 

[Gobo]

Id just pour cold water from inside the house over, or very luke warm until it begins running then leave it running a little and it should clear itself.

 

[paraboy]

Do I need to turn on the outside tap before thawing.

 

[Gobo]

Pour the warm water over first, then open it a little to see if there's any flow then close and repeat until it begins running again.

I'd also consider covering it with some insulation to try and keep the cold off it as it will occur again unless you can shut it off inside and drain it.

 

[paraboy]

Thanks for the help, will go for it later.

 

[paraboy]

Didn't take too long to defrost, the thaw is on in west coast of Scotland.