OT Power out

super99 · Jan 6, 2014

Our oldest daughter lives in Aurora in a ritzy neighborhood. She called Mom around noon, their power was out. She was concerned that if the power didn't come back on, should she leave the water run so the pipes didn't freeze. Mom wasn't sure, luckily the power came back on after about 2 hours. Since it's city water, they would have water without electric. Got me to wondering, you leave the water trickle so the pipes don't freeze, BUT won't a trickle of water freeze in the drain pipe and then you'll have a flood? How about an expert opinion. Chris

retired farmer · Jan 6, 2014

Why do you think they call it a drain pipe? Have to do it every winter when it gets cold here. Haven't froze yet.

oldtanker · Jan 6, 2014

(quoted from post at 17:54:38 01/06/14) Our oldest daughter lives in Aurora in a ritzy neighborhood. She called Mom around noon, their power was out. She was concerned that if the power didn't come back on, should she leave the water run so the pipes didn't freeze. Mom wasn't sure, luckily the power came back on after about 2 hours. Since it's city water, they would have water without electric. Got me to wondering, you leave the water trickle so the pipes don't freeze, BUT won't a trickle of water freeze in the drain pipe and then you'll have a flood? How about an expert opinion. Chris

No for 2 reasons. 1 being that it's still flowing water. 2 most systems has sewer gases backed up to the trap which provides a little heat.

Rick

super99 · Jan 6, 2014

True, BUT, when there is NO heat in the house and the temp drops below freezing, looks like a SLOW stream of water would freeze. What's the difference between a shallow stream that freezes and an unheated drain pipe?

super99 · Jan 6, 2014

Also, When you leave the water run, how big of a stream. Steady drip, trickle and a medium sized stream of water? In the 70's, we lived in a small farmhouse with the water heater on a unheated porch. When it got really cold, we had to leave the hot water trickle so it wouldn't freeze, BUT the drains were in the heated house.

Paul from MI · Jan 6, 2014

When I was a kid our water line to the chicken house ran under our driveway and would freeze in the winter. Dad always let a stream of water about the size of a pencil run to keep from freezing. Water ran into a field tile, and never froze even though the ground was frozen 4' down. Lots cheaper than having the local welder come out and thaw the line.

buickanddeere · Jan 6, 2014

At least a steady stream to prevent freezing. Don't forget to flush the toilets of rig the flapper to trickle.
How can people afford the upscale vehicle and home yet can't find $400 for a generator?

omahagreg · Jan 6, 2014

When that happens, I shut the water off at the meter! Drain at the lowest point! Then if it does freeze, you have control of when you find out

Geo-TH,In · Jan 6, 2014

Good point, $400 for a generator.

You can also get a portable IR 18000 BTU propane back up heat for around $150. Mine will use 20# propane in 24 hours on the 6000 BTU setting. Think about it, 6000 BTU about the same as 1750 watts, lot cheaper using IR propane vs gas.

I had air cooled VW's in the 60's. Heat in the VW came from the exhaust. If a person could safely design a heat exchanger for the exhaust, a person could get way more heat from a genny than electricity.

A carpet cleaning service uses small 4 cylinder diesels to power the vacuum. He made up a heat exchanger so the exhaust will heat the water he puts on carpet.

So, the idea of using exhaust to make heat really isn't a new idea. Are there any small gennies with built in heat exchangers?

PJH · Jan 6, 2014

Our previous pastor, in his infinite wisdom, insisted on putting the septic tank on the highest point in the church yard. Later, when we added on to the church, we had to slope the line to drain, and it was barely below the surface of the ground. The plumbers warned us to NEVER allow a trickle of water in cold wx to prevent freezing. The drain was certain to freeze and flood the kitchen. The lesson: Never allow a preacher to make what should be a common sense decision. Use your own judgement instead.

Our problem area was outside the church walls - exposed to outside temperatures. If your drain is exposed to below freezing temps, it will freeze. It's just that simple.

Steve@Advance · Jan 6, 2014

Yes, it can happen. Depends how well the drain pipes are insulated and how they are routed.

I had it happened to me about 40 years ago. Times were rough, living in a $250 month uninsulated shack.

Using wood for heat, I didn't try to keep the house warm unless I was home, and that was just long enough to sleep, shower and leave.

The bathroom was an add on, north end of the house. I left the tub and sink trickling when it dropped below 20 or so. We had a bad run of freezing weather, dropped to about 8 degrees, unusual for north Texas.

The drain froze, the tub filled to almost overflowing, then the water froze. Everything froze. The tub and toilet froze solid, inside the house!

I could see splits in the old galvanized pipes. Got under there and replaced everything with pvc before it thawed so I wouldn't laying in water.

That was the end of December. The pipe from the street to the house was frozen, didn't thaw until mid March.

Those were some hard times... Possibly I had my priorities wrong?

Joe Blackeby · Jan 6, 2014

What Oldtanker said.

Dan T in MO · Jan 7, 2014

Just because water is flowing doesn't mean it can't freeze.
proof

Old Iron · Jan 7, 2014

Yes,... water trickling into a drain line can eventually freeze (in extreme cases) and plug a drain line if the ice in the line is allowed to build.
However,.... this can be prevented by simply opening a faucet up and letting more water drain to melt the ice that is forming in the line BEFORE the line has a chance to freeze SHUT,.... after which, the faucet can be turned back down to a "trickle" again.

Rinse and repeat as often as needed to keep the drain line open and flowing.

OT Power out

super99

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retired farmer

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oldtanker

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super99

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super99

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Paul from MI

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buickanddeere

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omahagreg

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Geo-TH,In

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PJH

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Steve@Advance

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Joe Blackeby

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Dan T in MO

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