Antifreeze - not just for cars

[HeyBub]

I don't believe it can crack the pipe.

As the water turns to ice it expands, true. But in a p-trap it's got PLENTY of space to expand into (like millions of cubic feet) - in both directions.

[aemeijers]

If the p-trap is china or plastic, and for some reason the forming ice can't expand along the normal water flow path, it can blow out the trap. Toilets are probably the major risk, and then washing machines and dishwashers. Picture how a toilet bowl is shaped- if it freezes before a lot of the water in the bowl evaporates, it is locked into place on the top side, on some toilets. And in stuff with plastic pumps in the bottom, there is likely no smooth water path like on a siphon.

One year, one of my saturday jobs was changing the locks and pouring antifreeze in the toilets on FHA repo houses.

-- aem sends...

[Stormin Mormon]

Actually, I thought the web site was in South America, so it was on the other side of the equator. I just figured the website picture was upside down. I'll have to try it the other way. Maybe I'll need a new wax bowl gasket.

[Stormin Mormon]

Would that mean 1.04/2 or maybe 3.12/4 inch copper?

[Stormin Mormon]

I hope the house will have the copper pipes, when we return. I do know of one family who had that happen late night while the family slept. I know the man in question, and he was a bit crude mouthed when he got up and found he didn't have any water to make his morning cup o'joe. Plus the cost of replacing the pipes.

[willshak]

on 12/9/2009 5:06 PM (ET) Stormin Mormon wrote the following:

The water does not have to be turned on. Once the weather warms, the ice in the frozen pipes that cracked the pipes will melt and the water will escape from the cracks. I know this for a fact since I had to respond to floods in unoccupied homes after a long freeze.

[hallerb]

anyone who desnt beieve water will freeze and break lines and traps in a unheated home lacks common sense.

its a real issue, and tearing into cielings and walls to replace lines is no fun, let alone water leaks when things warm up and water is turned bacxk on.......

[Steve B]

It seems we are hearing the most that this cannot happen from people who have not ever replaced a pipe or p trap that has burst from freezing.

Why is that?

Steve

[DD_BobK]

Then why is ~10% of an iceberg above the surface of the water?

4% relative to what?

cheers Bob

[DD_BobK]

My money is on the pilot being enough

cheers Bob

[hallerb]

new hot water tank at least 400 bucks, is it worth the risk?

[JoeSpareBedroom]

They slept through the sounds of someone stealing their pipes??? How drunk were these people? Or, are they simply deaf?

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Yeah, but they won't be FILLED with water, like when they were under pressure.

[Stormin Mormon]

Could have been both. It was a couple decades ago, and I'm no longer associating with them.

[Stormin Mormon]

I hope that you're right. Depends on how much slope, and in which direction.

[JoeSpareBedroom]

What other option is there? NOT draining the pipes?

[willshak]

on 12/10/2009 12:52 AM (ET) DD_BobK wrote the following:

You don't have an electric water heater, I'm guessing. Winter in the North US causes many power outages due to downed wires from ice weight, or falling ice laden branches.. Gas Furnaces and Oil Boilers also require electricity to run.

[Cog]

unless it cracks your $300 toilet.

[Red Green]

Jules wrote in news: [e-mail]:

The wax thing is not a can cushion?

[mm]

I didnt' know the head came off. Thanks.