My old house had a gas range and wood burning stove to keep it warm during outages, This modern house I now live in, everything runs off electricity. What would be some suggestions to keep the pipes from bursting in the event of a big freeze/power outage of several days? how are those people in the midwest handleing it?
2007-01-17 04:57:33 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I don't know how heat tape or heat lamps would work without electricity.Foam insulation may help for a short power outage but one that lasts over 2 days below freezing would be a tuffy, maybe an emergency generator would be the way to go.?
2007-01-17 05:17:26 · update #1
with whatyou have, you have to drain the lines to the lowest point and the sewer traps too anything thats exposed to cold air abovegrade. usually an outside hose bib and the shower knobs left wide open would be enough. appliances are a night mare in their own right. washing machine, dish washer etc.
2007-01-17 05:04:58 · answer #1 · answered by robert r 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Indiana girl here, so I have some answers for you on that one.
Use the foam pipe insulation.
Open your cabinet doors to expose the pipes to the rooms heat and leave a small trickle of water flowing from the faucets. ALthough where I live, we have a well and the water doesnt work when the power is off, the first two suggestions do keep them from freezing, or have so far this winter anyway.
2007-01-17 06:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by kimmi_35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well most of the time you just wrap your pipes in insulation, most of them should be already, but some are not, like my line for my ice maker that runs in the attic. Also you can leave the water running slightly. They also make foam covers for your outside faucets. There is also some really neat heat wire that is nothing more than a long wire you plug in & then wrap it around pipes, the wire heats up & keeps the pipes from freezing. Go to any local hardware store & ask & they can show you everything you might need.
2007-01-17 05:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by SoccerBoi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to have all outside lines under the freeze zone. In extreme areas like the mid wesat it can freeze down to 4 ft or more. check with your neighbors ot see how deep the freeze goes(how deep the gropund freezes.
Burying you water lines below this is the only way topkeep them form freezing outin the opening.
Under the house ,/in attics you wrap them with pipe insulation. I would say wrap them with pipe insulation and than wrap them with six inch wall insulation if you can do so. If not wrap them with pipe insulation that fits the piope not mssing any and than wrap them with a larger pipe size insulation. it's expensive but works.
If you4r pipes are under the house youmight make a slew or trough for them alone boxed in and wall it with insulation all 4 walls.
2007-01-17 05:11:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could buy foam to insulate the pipes. If you are unable to do this I suggest that you turn on one of the cold water faucets and just let the water run at a trickle.
2007-01-17 05:03:16 · answer #5 · answered by ramblin guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have heat tape for pipes. I lived in a trailer once and used it and they never froze up in that. So, I'm sure your house would be safer yet with the tape. They also have heat lamps made for where the water comes in. Had one of those too. Worked good in that house.
2007-01-17 05:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by Shari 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a drag, but you could cut the water off at the main and then drain the pipes. You wouldn't have running water, but your pipes shouldn't freeze. If you needed the water you could simply turn on the main again, use the water and then drain once your done using it.
2007-01-17 05:01:40 · answer #7 · answered by GMoney 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if u run steady drip watch 4 ice buidup in sewer line
heating propane in small area can create carbon monoxide
thermometer monitoring is wise. i have remote digital thermometer in coldest part & receiving unit in living room. battery powered= $20 at walmart. went 10 below zero last night & cellar cooled to 40 degrees F.
wind thru cellar is worst for pipes.check for drafts with cigarete & watch the spider webs too.
to circulate heat move cold air to heater,its denser,moves more air & more efficient.
gas or kerosene space heaters need crbon mono monitoring
cant beat draining pipes
2007-01-17 05:15:17 · answer #8 · answered by enord 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shut off the main to the house.
Drain pipes inside house by opening all faucets.
2007-01-17 05:06:11 · answer #9 · answered by r_e_a_l_miles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a type of foam padding that is made to be wrapped around them that you can buy at home supply stores. Just go in and tell them whatcha need, they'll hook you up. Make sure you know the size of pipe (diameter) before going in though.
2007-01-17 05:01:56 · answer #10 · answered by jirstan2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋