Is this a frozen pipe?

Question

This is our third winter living in this house, an old victorian, and we have never had a problem with the pipes before. Last night we had a cold snap(-17C) and my bathtub hot water tap won't work. The toilet isn't flushing either. The water comes in, but nothing will leave the bowl. I turn on the hot water tap in the tub and nothing comes out...not even a drop. I thought only cold water pipes froze. The tub is on an exterior wall and the pipes run behind it. The water is fine in the rest of the house, all except the pipes running in my bathroom, which is situated on a north facing wall. The water in the bathroom sink...in between the toilet and tub...works fine. I'm confused, is this caused by a frozen pipe?

Update:

I have put a small space heater in the bathroom and shut the door. Hopefully that will thaw the pipes. Thanks!

My cents worth · Accepted Answer

It is probably a frozen pipe. I understand there are pipes on north exterior wall and they are isolated from heat by the bath tub. A very small pinhole to the outside air near that pipe will cause it to freeze. Can you put a safe heat source in that room and is it possible to check for a draft from outside near pipes or bathroom? Caulking? Do you have a crawl space? If so close vents. Hopefully sewer line is not froze right there.

Average Joe · Answer

Yes. actually the water coming from your water heater is more susceptible to freezing because there are less minerals in it due to the process of heating.

.... · Answer

Your sink could be on another line, not sure what to tell you but to have the plumbing pulled out and have it coming in from somewhere else? or have someone get in there and wrap heating tape around them?

tom the plumber · Answer

between wind and a possible hole in your wall,that may be it,hot water always freezes 1st.

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Is this a frozen pipe?

4 Answers