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Author:
Rich B. (MN)
I have a well house that is about 90 ft. from the home the pipe just froze and I am having a plumber come out to thaw the line. After it's thawed how would I keep it from freezing up again, I am not their at times for a week or two. If I leave a faucet run slowly I am concerned about the septic system filling.
I am thinking of getting a KT 200 pipe thawing system for the future, can that be left on the line set very low to keep it thawed or put on a timer?
Open for any suggestions.
It's cold here in S.E. MN
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Author:
hj (AZ)
If it is a plastic pipe a thawer will be useless and it would be very "hard" on it to be operating continually. Letting a faucet drip for "weeks" is also not a viable option. Shutting it off and draining it may be the only good option.
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Author:
RRW (IL)
One possible solution would be to use whole or broken bales of straw to insulate the ground where the pipe runs. You have almost gotten through to the spring so it shouldn't take much.
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Author:
Rich B. (MN)
good idea thank you!!
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
quote; One possible solution would be to use whole or broken bales of straw to insulate the ground where the pipe runs.
We did a house in Illinois, years ago, that they put straw in the basement to prevent freezing. It rained, the straw got wet, it froze, and then they installed the floor over the basement. It was still frozen in June, and the straw made it like adobe brick. We had to use air compressors and jack hammers to get through the straw and frozen dirt, and Arctic boots because our feet would be freezing in a matter of minutes down there.
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
For exposed piping..... Heat Cord by Frostex. You can double and triple wrap the pipe without fear... when you read the instructions and application booklet. You can visit Frostex's website too. The straw is ok for outside application. I would not break up the bundles either. Just stack them front to back.
Spring is somewhere around the corner. I'm hoping for early rather than later.
Best Wishes
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
Quote:"Letting a faucet drip for "weeks" is also not a viable option."
Agree. However, I wonder how long it will be before somebody couples the "Touchless" faucet feature to a remote outdoor thermometer, so that when the outside temp gets to a set-point, the faucet will drip? God forbid a faucet designed to leak, but if you could make it smart enough to know when to drip, that might fly?
Am I correct in thinking that foam or rubber pipe insulation is only beneficial if there is someone living in the house and using water? If it's a cold house and nobody's home pipe insulation by itself will not prevent pipe freezes, yes?
Springtime is just around the corner. Around here I can tell by these 3 signs. 1. The Daffodils start pushing up. 2. The Robins return. 3. The plumbing supply places have plenty of pipe heat tape back on the shelves!
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Author:
Wheelchair (IL)
The maple tree sap is running too.
Best Wishes
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Who you calling a "sap"?
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