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-   -   Frozen pipes (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/frozen-pipes-583076/)

fionamw Jan 9th 2009 7:21 pm

Frozen pipes
 
:eek: .... I knew it was cold but frozen pipes?
Have to call the plumber/alchemist of course, may be just the water as it passes through the (externally fitted) gas water heater that's frozen....so gas to worry about too:eek: No, just remembered I checked & there's no flow up the hill at the mains either:eek::eek::eek: Omigod this wouldn't happen in Down Ampney!

lynnxa Jan 9th 2009 8:47 pm

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by fionamw (Post 7147718)
:eek: .... I knew it was cold but frozen pipes?
Have to call the plumber/alchemist of course, may be just the water as it passes through the (externally fitted) gas water heater that's frozen....so gas to worry about too:eek: No, just remembered I checked & there's no flow up the hill at the mains either:eek::eek::eek: Omigod this wouldn't happen in Down Ampney!

wrap it in warm blankets?

poshnbucks Jan 9th 2009 11:28 pm

Re: Frozen pipes
 
disconnect gas and light candle heat will slowly melt ice watch out ice has not expanded pipe and caused any leaks when running clear. You can only use the candle idea in a room or outside box.


http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homem...rozenpipes.php

http://www.keidel.com/resource/diy/thaw.htm

http://www.redcross.org/services/dis...0_579_,00.html

jdr Jan 10th 2009 12:03 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
It is frozen at the mains at the bottom of the hill. ,-)

bil.w Jan 10th 2009 1:16 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
Here's a useful tip. If you need to cut out a piece of damaged copper pipe, (or when you need to break into a run to fit a spur) it can be very difficult to solder in a new piece, as you can't always pull the cut ends apart enough to slide in a new piece plus the two straight connectors.

Here's what you can do. Cut a piece of new tube that will fit the gap perfectly, less a bit for expansion. Prep the ends, plus the cut ends of the old pipe on the wall.

Normally the straight connectors have a restriction in the middle to stop them sliding to far over one end. Take a round file and remove this so the connectors will slide on un checked. Mark with a pencil on the two ends on the wall 1\2 the length of the connectors so as to show where the conns need to slide to. Flux all 4 ends and the inside of the two conns, slide the conns completely onto each end of the new tube, offer it up, slide the conns up to the pencil marks and solder as per normal.

poshnbucks Jan 10th 2009 1:24 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
Remember in Spain its 340 days of sunshine what they didn't tell you is that's its sunny, But only 51 degrees F. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

http://weather.weatherbug.co.uk/Spai...=en-gb&units=0


Just as a warning to others...... I have since the cold snap only used my 4x4 for very short journeys to the beach to walk the dogs each day a round trip of 1.3 miles and then the car just lays outside until the next day. This morning its walkie time and veg market day.... Never buy pre wrapped veg/fruit. The engine turned but did not start, Battery now flat and charging. Sooooooo take your car on a run up the N340 or AP7 for ten minutes every few days just to keep the battery topped as it takes a lot out of it starting a turbo diesel in this cold weather.:mad::mad::ohmy:

jurdyr Jan 10th 2009 1:59 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
posh you need a good jump :rofl:

poshnbucks Jan 10th 2009 2:21 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by jurdyr (Post 7148568)
posh you need a good jump :rofl:


Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you rude rude boy :p:p:p:p:p

jurdyr. I need to buy a battery charger that will be some what heavy duty. I have a small trickle charge unit that is very slow. Can you recommend a make/model/price. I know that you have seen many models along the N340 but that will not assist................On this occasion anyway. I will just have a quick check on E-Bay. Thanks ;);)

Saw this one any good.......

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Battery-Charge...1%7C240%3A1318

jurdyr Jan 10th 2009 2:46 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
good set off jump leeds are booster pack would do the job

http://etopshop.co.uk/index.php?main...products_id=19

have two off them one alwas at house and one in the jeep

do alot cars in under ground carparks in area and get 20 euros every time

last summer made few hunder euros doing it , diesel car leve for 3 mins then turn key , plugs kick in and then start
for got to say have free parking aswell in under ground car parks

fionamw Jan 10th 2009 4:30 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by jdr (Post 7148309)
It is frozen at the mains at the bottom of the hill. ,-)

The mains is at the top of the hill, so gravity SHOULD be on our side:p

Don't think there's an inch of copper pipe in the house..... anyway, went out & basked in the 13deg at the coast then drove back into the snowzone, turned tap on about half an hour ago & it - and the water heater - is fine. Phew:)
Re diesel, I had to use pre-warmer switch thingy for the first time the past two days.

jurdyr Jan 10th 2009 5:49 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 
nice two see you waters are back working again , been told to have a tap dripping at night many stop it from frozening over

i know it save it but many work

fionamw Jan 10th 2009 6:07 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by jurdyr (Post 7149344)
nice two see you waters are back working again , been told to have a tap dripping at night many stop it from frozening over

i know it save it but many work

:)Yes, I've heard similar - but like many campesinos we have a pump just before the water comes into the house so if I left a tap running even slightly I think the pump would kick in & want to work all night - can't win! Mind you I suppose I could turn the pump off but then when we do run the tap or flush the loo it takes twice as long.:frown:

(we weren't the only household with this problem, when I rang the plumber he was on his way to another frozen distress call:thumbdown:)

jdr Jan 10th 2009 7:01 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by fionamw (Post 7147718)
:eek: .... I knew it was cold but frozen pipes?
Have to call the plumber/alchemist of course, may be just the water as it passes through the (externally fitted) gas water heater that's frozen....so gas to worry about too:eek: No, just remembered I checked & there's no flow up the hill at the mains either:eek::eek::eek: Omigod this wouldn't happen in Down Ampney!


Originally Posted by jdr (Post 7148309)
It is frozen at the mains at the bottom of the hill. ,-)


Originally Posted by fionamw (Post 7149021)
The mains is at the top of the hill, so gravity SHOULD be on our side:p

Don't think there's an inch of copper pipe in the house..... anyway, went out & basked in the 13deg at the coast then drove back into the snowzone, turned tap on about half an hour ago & it - and the water heater - is fine. Phew:)
Re diesel, I had to use pre-warmer switch thingy for the first time the past two days.

You said no flow up the hill. ;)

poshnbucks Jan 10th 2009 7:09 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by jurdyr (Post 7148717)
good set off jump leeds are booster pack would do the job

http://etopshop.co.uk/index.php?main...products_id=19

have two off them one alwas at house and one in the jeep

do alot cars in under ground carparks in area and get 20 euros every time

last summer made few hunder euros doing it , diesel car leve for 3 mins then turn key , plugs kick in and then start
for got to say have free parking aswell in under ground car parks


Thanks my friend :)

DebsyW Jan 10th 2009 7:32 am

Re: Frozen pipes
 

Originally Posted by poshnbucks (Post 7148462)
Remember in Spain its 340 days of sunshine what they didn't tell you is that's its sunny, But only 51 degrees F. :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

http://weather.weatherbug.co.uk/Spai...=en-gb&units=0


Just as a warning to others...... I have since the cold snap only used my 4x4 for very short journeys to the beach to walk the dogs each day a round trip of 1.3 miles and then the car just lays outside until the next day. This morning its walkie time and veg market day.... Never buy pre wrapped veg/fruit. The engine turned but did not start, Battery now flat and charging. Sooooooo take your car on a run up the N340 or AP7 for ten minutes every few days just to keep the battery topped as it takes a lot out of it starting a turbo diesel in this cold weather.:mad::mad::ohmy:

I have a Landrover. Could do with a new battery which I can ill-afford but its ok for now. This cold weather (in UK) isn`t doing the old girl any good at all. Fortunately we have a charger and I re-charge overnight every night and she purrs like a kitten every morning. :)


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