Frozen pipes - Page 2

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

Anything you can do to avoid trouble is wise. I've just spent the last hour downstairs replacing a length of copper tubing after discovering there was a leak. I heard the pump running when no water was being used and that's always a bad sign for those of us with a well. I figured there was a leak someplace and the basement floor was wet, but I couldn't find the leak. I could hear a drip coming from a place where there were no pipes which was odd. That's also where the basement floor was wettest. I felt around and finally found a very thin, fine stream of water coming from a pinprick hole near a fitting. I turned off the water, drained the line. cleaned up the area where the leak was, fluxed it and resoldered the connection. That solved that problem but now two new pinprick leaks appeared. adjacent to the old one. I then cut out that whole section of pipe and replaced it with new copper and that's hopefully solved that problem. I'm happy to report it wasn't a frozen pipe, just an old one that decided now was a good time to fail.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

curlyque1 · ‎07-31-2013

Cherry gave you excellent advice. Also put a room heater directly near the frozen pipe. That will thaw it out but all of cherry's suggestions were right on the money and it will cost u lots of money should the pipe burst.

gabstoomuch · ‎03-16-2010

Oh @gardenman what a bad day! I feel for ya. Upside is that you can do the work yourself

Downside, that was a big job. Things decide to fail at the weirdest times.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

California? 25° and pipes freeze? How many hours/days was the temperature stuck at 25°? I can put a bowl of water outside in 25° overnight temperature, and it will not freeze. Needs more than a few hours to freeze solid.

An easy way, even in temperatures like we have experienced here in the Midwest. Last winter there was close to 3 weeks straight of temperatures under 15°. One faucet? Let it drip/drip/drip, and as long as any water is moving, it will not freeze, especially in higher temperature parts of our country.

That is what I would do were I in your position.

hckynut(john)

Katcat1 · ‎07-21-2011

That's not that cold. I wonder what kind of pipes you have? Meaning, what are they made of. When I was growing up and we lived in Chicago it would be below zero and would have to keep the water running slowly in the kitchen.

kindness is strength

DiAnne · ‎09-22-2010

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I also wrap my downstairs pipe in the kitchen and bathroom. Use cold water when you let it drip - a steady stream if it's really cold out.

@hoosieroriginal

I have a question - why cold water? It seems like warm water would be better.

cherry · ‎03-09-2010

@DiAnne wrote:

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I also wrap my downstairs pipe in the kitchen and bathroom. Use cold water when you let it drip - a steady stream if it's really cold out.
@hoosieroriginal

I have a question - why cold water? It seems like warm water would be better.

So the cold water pipe won't freeze. The warm water pipe never freezes

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

There must be something else going on than just temperature here. I also live in CA and our nighttime temps have been 30 for the past week and a half, and we've had nothing freeze - nor have I ever heard my niece say they have frozen in the past, so it apparently isn't a huge concern with them. Winter night temps here can range from 28-32 fairly often, but they move up into the 50s starting after sunrise.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

@DiAnne wrote:

@hoosieroriginal wrote:
I also wrap my downstairs pipe in the kitchen and bathroom. Use cold water when you let it drip - a steady stream if it's really cold out.
@hoosieroriginal

I have a question - why cold water? It seems like warm water would be better.

@DiAnne - not sure the why's of cold water instead of hot, but if you go online everyone says to leave cold water running (American Red Cross for example)- no need to run hot water. (My foot doctor pointed that out to me when I first moved to cold weather).

Cookie2025 · ‎03-10-2010

@gardenman wrote:
Anything you can do to avoid trouble is wise. I've just spent the last hour downstairs replacing a length of copper tubing after discovering there was a leak. I heard the pump running when no water was being used and that's always a bad sign for those of us with a well. I figured there was a leak someplace and the basement floor was wet, but I couldn't find the leak. I could hear a drip coming from a place where there were no pipes which was odd. That's also where the basement floor was wettest. I felt around and finally found a very thin, fine stream of water coming from a pinprick hole near a fitting. I turned off the water, drained the line. cleaned up the area where the leak was, fluxed it and resoldered the connection. That solved that problem but now two new pinprick leaks appeared. adjacent to the old one. I then cut out that whole section of pipe and replaced it with new copper and that's hopefully solved that problem. I'm happy to report it wasn't a frozen pipe, just an old one that decided now was a good time to fail.

You have so much talent ! Writer, Cat caretaker, and now Plumber.

Happy Holidays - !