Need help or idea!!!

Steve Ebels_3

Why are you dumping water on a roof in freezing weather? What about ice buildup on the roof?

Cliff M.

Heated pipe

Hi everybody,
This message isn't exactly heating related but I do need some ideas regarding heated pipe. I need to run hundreds of feet of pipe or tubing or hose from hose bibbs on a roof of a building branching off in all directions. Each run is no more than 30 feet. Obviously, we need to keep whatever we use from freezing in the winter so what I need to know is, has anyone come across a good application for heated pipe, or a good product to keep my pipe from freezing? Even in the winter, these hose bibbs will flush through a timer twice a day for a certain application so they'll be running in the winter. Thanks a lot guys and gals.
Cliff

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Can you not set up a sort of "drain back" system where you allow the water subject to freezing in cold weather to drain from the affected piping?

ALH_4

Recirc

I would connect the whole setup to an electric water heater (subject to estimated heat load) and essentially run a DHW recirculation loop on each branch or pipe them in series if possible. I would run the recirc pump on a setpoint control that senses the outdoor temperature. As crazy as it sounds, it could even be useful to use a reset control to recirc warmer water when it's colder outside to save energy. Use jacketed pipe insulation to protect it from UV light.

Larry Weingarten

Maybe...

... some sort of vacuum breaker in line to allow the system to drain out?

Yours, Larry

Mike T., Swampeast MO

One of my thoughts as well Larry. Wish I knew more about the purpose and use. Almost sounds to me like automated irrigation in a low-rise but large ground area collection of penthouses or perhaps even a "green" roof.

mtfallsmikey

How 'bout

Self-regulating or thermostat controlled heat tape, then plenty of insulation. That is what I have on my condenser water lines on the roofs of both of my buildings.Never failed yet..run from 277v.

Ray_14

Heat tape and insulation is probably the best, but you can only run the tape so long in a run. You would have to have plenty of outlets placed approx. 60-70 feet apart to accomadate that. I would use 1/2" insulation. I would also use Wirsbo Aquapex as it will take a freeze beating without busting. But it is sunlight sensitive. What about a Grundfos 3 speed pump on low to keep the flow going? Just a thought.

Ray

mtfallsmikey

But, how could I forget?

Woodford (?)makes hydrants specifically designed to penetrate thru roofs..has matching pitch pocket fro built-up roof, etc. As far as heat tape is concerned, the commercial grade made by Raychem is excellent. Mine run on 277v.