frozen pipe in townhome

cr

moved into interior townhome in pa; water connection comes in through the garage, which is unheated. pipes froze on me this weekend, how would you suggest i protect from this problem in the future? thank you

adambuild

Heat tape

Poor design!? Go to your local plumbing supply and purchase low-draw (4-9 watts) heat tape an wrap it around the pipe in a spiral fashion and plug it in, it will only come on when it gets cold. Then snugly cover the protected pipe with pipe insulation.

joe_26

frozen pipes

My heater pipes (also located in an unheated garage)froze, then busted this weekend. The plumber who repaired the busted pipes (and got the heat going in the house again) suggested to add anti-freeze to the water going through the pipes to prevent them from freezing (these are for heat, only). I've never heard of this, but it sounds interesting.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Robert O'Connor_7

i hope the boiler isn't weil-mclain. they use rubber o rings that will fail if you expose them to antifreeze. isulate with fiberglass insulation, then possibly encapsulate it in a soffit. if all fails, move out of pennsiltucy and get a nice apt. in san diego...

Earthfire

san diego

then stock up on spray on fire proofing gel.you'll need it there:-)

Jack, CVMS

That's news to me...

We put propylene glycol in virtually every system around here, and most are Weil-McLain boilers. Never have had a leakage yet.

lchmb

??

ok..I get the impression the question relate's to domestic water? may be wrong but "water coming into the house through the garage"..if that's the case would suggest heat tape...then wrap the pipe..I am not personally a big fan on heat tape and suggest it is replaced yearly for safety...as to weil mclain and anti-freeze..never had a problem..generally everything else rott's out from the anti-freeze before the boiler does..

Justin Gavin

Frozen pipes

Where is your water main? If the water main is in your basement or Interior of your home you should have the line rerouted. It shouldn't cost that much and would save you from future problems.

Robert O'Connor_7

HEAT TAPE & GLYCOL

Inhibited propylene glycol is ok ETHYLENE glycol is NOT!! If you use ethylene glycol it WILL eat your gaskets. oil eats oil. Also never use automotive antifreeze. Petroleum based cleaners or sealers also will eat your seals too. As far as heat tape/trace, It is not a good idea to use them except in an emergency, and NEVER!! box em in big time fire hazard. Boiler Ph levels are recommended to be around 7.0 to 8.5.... boc