Frozen underground plastic water pipe.

Unknown

I love you man...

unless your reaaaaaaly quick :-)

Just another set back to not using copper :-)

(where's ken when you need him)

I use to hook up a welder to the curb stop and the main inside line, can;t do that with plastic :-)

Steve Bergerson

How do I thaw a plastic underground water pipe?

Here in Northern Minnesota, we have had sub zero weather with no snow this year. Many people are experiencing problems with frozen water and septic pipes.

I need to thaw a 1" black plastic water line that is burried 6 feet below ground and is 30' long. I know some use steamers, but I can't find a source for them. Any suggestions would be apprecieated.

D lux_2

if its a block wall it might be air droping down the core bust a hole in the block and try a hair dryer . let us know if it works

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Steve Bergerson

The freeze is 15 feet away from the building foundation, under 6 feet of earth. I used an electricians fish tape to probe down the line to measure how far away from the building the freeze starts.

John Felciano

Frozen

We've had great luck thawing these types of lines out by pumping hot water into them.We made up a rig that uses a propane burner,a transfer pump, and 1/4" copper tube.

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John Cockerill

frozen pipe

Might try a hot water flush, fish down the pipe with a smaller sized 3/4 plastic pipe. You can get the pipe at an Irrigation supply house.

ScottMP

Why Not

Purchase a roll of the smallest pex tubing you can, hook it up to the hot water heater with a backflow preventer and a small pump. Then fish it down the line. Turn on the pump when you get to the blockage.

This should eat right thru a frozen line.

I would suggest turning off the main unless your reeeeaaaaly quick .


Scott

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bull

frozzen pipe

You can rent a jet water snake at most rental places.
It will fit down the black pipe you have.
Just hook it up to hot water.
The standard jet snake pushes a jet at about 1000psi.
That will work for sure.
I've done this my self more than once.
Good luck.......

Steve Bergerson

Maybe I can use a plastic welder...

I know, I know.... I didn't use copper

Maybe I'll find someone with a plastic welder and try that.... ;-)

Gary

Buy a Arctic Blaster

Its so simple it will blow your mind , and it will only take a half a gallon of water and 15 minutes to thaw that line.

Dan Joyce

Thawing plastic water pipe

1st Need lead pot burner
2nd 6" well casing pipe,capped top and bottom,20"+-high
cut top 3/4"nipple in top,3/4"tee,15 lb releif on top,bush bull of tee for snifter valve with core removed.
3rd 3/8" hose to snifter,1/2" hose sewer.
4th Fill 1/3 water,set on burner,fire up,10 minutes steam,hose down pipe,will go by itself (little help)when in ice.Runs about 15 minutes.
Weld top & bottom & nipple.
Will go over 75 ft.Never really measured.

Dan Joyce

Artic Blaster

What is it in detail

Steve Bergerson

Arctic Blaster

Just ordered one! Thanks for the advice!

For $500, including shipping, this seems like a great unit. Simple design, no moving parts, and includes 2 50' coils of braided tubing... 1/4" & 3/8".

Also, it doesn't require a connection to a water supply... which is a plus when it is the main line you are trying to thaw.

Check it out at http://www.arcticblaster.com