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December 20, 2004
frozen water pipes
It's freakin' 12 degrees right now and our hot water isn't working. Most of our cold water taps aren't working either. This is one of the reasons that I'd moved to New Orleans* all those years ago.
As suggested by Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes and one R.'s co-workers, we've got a space heater running in the crawlspace right now. The outside cats are probably loving it...
UPDATE
We've got our waters back! It took 7 or 8 hours, but I wasn't really expecting it to work.
Posted by john m at December 20, 2004 8:36 AM
Comments
That sucks some big yucky butt. I am glad its working. Space heater = good idea. *making not for future problems*
Posted by: Merry Death at December 20, 2004 10:54 PM
We had the same issue with our "new-old" house... My husband bought a kit for about $20 that wrapped the pipe with insulation and an electric warmer that kicks on only when the temperature drops below freezing. The only issue for us was that we needed a place to plug it in (we ran an extension cord). It's working really, really well, considering our pipes are exposed (we don't even have a crawlspace). I can send you a picture of it if you're interested.
Posted by: Kati at January 6, 2005 4:00 PM
Any frozen pipes in this last cold spell? I had several- but knock-on-wood nothing burst. I am trying to train my tenants to leave the faucet dripping and the kitchen cabinet doors open to prevent the frozen pipe problem. I did have a chance to shove some additional insulation in the trouble spots-- I also caulked some spaces in the exterior clapboard and placed an emergency heat light in the trouble spots-- to be turned on only if the temperature drops in the low teens. I am thinking about re-routing the pipes away from the exterior walls in the spring. peace.
Posted by: BillC at February 1, 2005 2:49 PM
We've gotten real good at leaving a few faucets dripping, though it really feels like a waste. Last winter, when we had the ductwork running under the house and leaking warm air like crazy, we didn't have this problem. Now that the ductwork is inside and efficient, the crawlspace is a lot colder. We're going to have to insulate and maybe get some of that heat tape. I'll be glad when winter is over, that's for sure.
Posted by: john m at February 1, 2005 5:12 PM
best bet for preventing frozen pipes is to crwal into the crawl space , turn off any lights or flash lights and look for day light coming in , you'll find pipes that freeze , or even burst are in a cross wind zone . there wiill be cold air that circulate. wehen you locate the holes in your crwl , plug them up with anythig , what your trying to do is stop the flow of air. hell even old news papers or insulation will work temporarly. any othe plumbing questions ? give me a hollar.
Posted by: emerson at March 6, 2005 8:46 PM
i seem to have frozen pipes (only in laundry and wash tub room). I placed a space heater on those pipes that feed into the downstairs stairwell. Unfortunately, I can't access the bulk of the pipes that head up from the basement area. I simply placed a hairdryer positioned upwards (as far as I could reach)from the downstairs location. I left the laundry tub taps on and I am hoping for the best. :)
Posted by: jen at January 26, 2007 8:42 PM
jen -- good luck with that! We've had sucha warm winter that we havent had to worry about the pipes *yet*.
Posted by: john m at January 27, 2007 6:44 AM
-17 in Denver last night. Have been in this home for about twenty years and have never had a problem. However, went to bed last night not realizing that it was going to get so COLD!!! Awoke to my North facing, hot-water spigot in the bathtub, dry as a bone! All the other water in the house was fine. After reading the "net," I turned up the heat in the house, turned ON the hot spigot (even tho dry) to release pressure. Did this at 0600--still nothing at 1100. Took the handle off the water spigot. Approx 1/4 inch clearance before the ceramic tile starts. About 5 minutes later, the hot water started to flow--yeaaaaaaaa! Haven't noted any leaking. The tough part is that I have a finished basement and NO exposed pipes--so hard to do a hands on! Think I lucked out big-time! Leave that water a-drippin!!
Posted by: Peggy at February 2, 2007 1:42 PM
MAN THIS IS ANNOYING, HERE in ontario we had -31 celcius with windchill, and our water pipes stopped working, at first it was the cold water, then the hot, but its only in the kitchen. i tried to thaw the kitchen cabinet where the pipes are, but to no result, there are no exposed pipes anywhere except the laundry room ,where thre's about 10 celcius, what can I do?? plz respond fast
Posted by: bogdan at February 5, 2007 9:15 PM
All I can suggest is to get a space heater into that laundry room and keep your taps open.
Posted by: john m at February 5, 2007 10:59 PM
If anyone can help... I have water... BUT I have only pressure when the kitchen sink is in the neutral postion (on full) I get hot water out of the Cold tap, cold out of the Hot Tap -30 Celcius in Windsor Ont- Feb 6 THANKS FOR ALL INFO
Posted by: JimmyG at February 6, 2007 7:01 PM
I HAVE WATER GOING TO MY UP STAIRS FAUCETS BUT NOTHING DOWN STAIRS ALL MY PIPES RUN TOGETHER AND DO NOT RUN ON AN OUTSIDE WALL WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRICIATED
Posted by: at February 8, 2007 8:41 AM
There must be some kind of separate feed line for the downstairs lines to freeze like that.
Posted by: john m at February 8, 2007 3:53 PM
got water..but no hot water got heat tape plugged in should help that... the other problem is the waster water pipe seems to be frozen...now what do i do?
Posted by: kenh at February 8, 2007 8:33 PM
am in wash, dc. when temp drops below 25 for several days, the water freezes somewhere between the meter and the house--where main valve is in basement. heating tape does no good. as soon as temp goes up, water flows. had the water co. replace meter. any suggestions? should pipes be wrapped? insulation added?
Posted by: anne at February 25, 2007 9:30 PM
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