We have frozen pipes. We also have a b box or a "buffalo box" can we fix the issue ourselves? PLUMBERS HELP!!!

Question

We have had no running water for going on 6 days!!! We do have a b box and we want to avoid having to pay a plumber for something we can do on our own. Can we rent a piece of electricial equipment or a heating element to attach to the buffalo box to heat our lines? PLEASE HELP! WE ARE DESPERATE!

Answer 1

Lots of variables and unknowns with your question but here goes anyway. If the supply from the street is installed correctly it should be deep enough - at least 36" - to keep it from freezing. Assuming your "b box" is where your meter and/or shutoff is, it is possible it is frozen there. A 100 watt drop light left in it can thaw it in an hour or so if kept well covered. If the line is frozen underground you can't thaw it unless it is copper or steel. The method is the same as listed below.

If you have a crawl space, that is your most likely culprit. A space heater directed on the line in the area of the shutoff valve could solve your problem fairly quickly. That is assuming you don't have a long run before the line enters the house.

If the line is suspended below the floor joists you can wrap them with heat tape available at most hardware stores. Another option would be to string as many lights and/or space heaters along the line as you can. Some rental places have pipe thawers that look something like a battery charger with large clamps on the ends of long leads. These can be attached to metal pipe only and, depending on the length, will thaw the pipe. For plastic pipe you will have to use heat tape.

Unless it is a very short run don't attempt to use a torch,and then only on metal pipe, because it can refreeze before you get to the end and you run the risk of burning down the house.

Any method of thawing can take hours depending on the length of the runs and the ambient temp you are dealing with. When it does thaw, be prepared for a nasty surprise because the pipe may have split in one or several places from the ice expansion. While you may get the water on you might not be able to use it until the splits are fixed. Remember also that pipe insulation only slows a line from freezing and doesn't prevent it.

Once you have flow again you can leave a faucet flowing gently to keep the line from freezing again until you can create a permanent fix. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I am assuming the "buffalo box" is the cast iron box on the street that holds the water shut off valve to your house. Frozen pipes are a major pain, and can cause major damage. When a pipe freezes, the water expands as it is converted to a solid. This can, and does frequently, break the pipe. The longer you are in a frozen state, the worse it will be.

I suggest you call a professional and get the pipes unfrozen as soon as possible.

Answer 3

applying heat at this box, will probably not do the job, unless there or near there is the only place it is froze.

What you can do will depend on access and the type of pipes you have. good copper lines, you can wrap with heat tapes and maybe they will thaw. you can get heat tapes for plastic pipes, but be sure you get the right ones, the ones for copper pipes might just melt the pipes.

of course, when you get them thawed, your troubles might just be beginning. when attempting to thaw, keep your taps open, it might leave the thawing expanding water a place to go, and not bust the pipes if they are not already busted.

if copper pipes, there is a device that will allow you to run current through them and warm them that way, if you have access to them.. ..once you do get them thawed, you will need to take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again. there are a few things to do for that..

Answer 4

I am not familiar with a "buffalo box". The last three times I had problems with frozen pipes, I used a vacuum cleaner to blow warmed house air into the cold place. Most vacuums you can hook the hose on the outlet side, and use them to blow with. If the frozen place is outside, you might take a kettle of hot water and put it in the well house. Repeat as needed.