Do you know of home remedy for underground frozen water pipes from house to the street?

Question

Underground frozen water pipes are three quarter inch galvanized pipe; length is 80 feet from house to street. We've called the city (it's "our responsibility"); have rented pipe heater (didn't work after 18 hour application); no plumbers do this type of work in our area; any other ideas besides digging it up or waiting on warmer temperatures?? Thanks for help.

Answer 1

considering it is a galvanized pipe there's a chance that the pipe itself is clogged with rust. If you have a basement and that pipe comes up through the floor the chances that it are frozen are slim. It could also be broken underground, ie: galvanized pipe will rust out eventually, especially in an underground application. Some cities have the water meter at the street in a small pit, if yours is this way maybe it is frozen there. I've seen it happen before.

18 hours of running a pipe heater/welder on that pipe should have thawed it if it's working correctly. In my best guess I'd say your problem is more of an old, outdated, worn out water service as opposed to a freeze up.

Answer 2

If you live in the city boundary instead outside in the country, then I would call your city councilman\woman and complain to them or see a lawyer. If the State has drawn the city's borders wherein your house is standing within the cities borders, then water and sewage are definetly their responsibility.

On the other hand, if you live in the country and you asked to be able to get your water from the city's pipeline instead of drilling your own well, then it is your problem. There are also cases where if you live outside the city limits, some counties and States require homes to use the city water and sewage services, but the homeowner who lives outside the city boundry, is responsible for any repairs for any pipes or line that tap into any of the city's supply or feeder lines or in other words you have to pay for any repairs to the connection line\pipe between your house and the city's supply\feeder line.

What should not do is fix it yourself regardless where you live. If you try and fix it and damage it you could be looking at a very large bill. If your repair damages one of the city's supply\feeder line that happen to be located under your property such as water, sewage, gas or electricity feeder line, you would be held responsible for their repair.

Your State has a law somewhere has codes on how the repair has to be done. First the Surveyor's Office will tell you where it is save to dig.

Next a State building inspector will tell you how the repair has to be done and then they also have to inspect your repair and sign off it off it -- attesting that your repair meets the State's and County's building codes.

Call your city councilman and complain or else go see a lawyer, they will know what the by-law(s) are for your ward. If you do live within the border of an incorporated city, the city became incorporated so it could receive funding from the State for various programs and services, part of the requirements of incorporation is that the city has a legal obligation to provide water and sewage directly to your house.

Answer 3

the only remedy I know would cost more than digging it up.There has to be a construction company that will dig it up.Your average plumber wont do this.. As long as your digging it up Iwould replace the galivinized with 200 psi poly pipe. The home remedy is making a charcoal box from the curb-stop almost to the house. you will need a skid or two of cinder blocks,a skid of charcoal, some lighter fluid, and some steel to cover the blocks. stack the blocks two high about two feet apart from the curb-stop almost to the house(2 ft away) dump charcoal between blocks, light. When it gets going cover most of the blocks with the steel leaving a few good air gaps. In a few hours add more charcoal. Be sure to wear glove when removing the steel It will be hot!!!!

Answer 4

Yea , thats a BIG one there ,I think i would try a little sea salt and let my hot water and i mean HOT trickle slowly for a while ,At firs maybe a big gush but a steady flow of HOT water will work given a littel time, but check it , you might be able to turn the water up some so it can melet it faster ! every little bit of ice you melt makes room for more HOT water , try this ok , and all will be well , thanks
Bye , Glitter

Answer 5

where we live any thing on the street side of the water meter is the water companies problem. ask the water co. to see it in writing that this is your responsibility. i dont believe it is...

Answer 6

Leave all of your faucets open, and wait for spring. Sorry. If you close your faucets, the pipes are more likely to burst as they thaw.

Answer 7

hard step. look into using bing and yahoo. it could help!