Pipe freezing kits

[Steve Gontarek]

I need to do a couple of jobs on my central heating system and rather than drain it want to use one of these Pipe freezing kits, like the

8.99 one in Screwfix.

It says it lasts 35 minutes - I presume this is the amount of time the pipe might stay frozen for, but how long does the actual kit last ? I need to freeze 4 x 15mmm copper pipes to seperate the pipes, and then at a later stage, freeze them again to rejoin the new radiators. Actually seperating and rejoiing the pipes shouldn't take long (I'll use push-fit fittings) so I don't need a big blockage.

Would one of these kits do - or would I need more ?

Ta

Steve

[Anna Kettle]

I've used one to do just that job so it works OK. Turn the central heating and its pump off first. The kit lasts forever I expect until its used, but then its a "use once and then dispose" type of kit. There is a bit of foam to wrap round the pipe but the working part is a pressurised spray can of freezer (CO2 maybe?). You use all the canful so it can't be reused afterwards

Anna ~~ Anna Kettle, Suffolk, England |""""| ~ Plaster conservation and lime plaster repair / ^^ \ // Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc |____|

01359 230642

[Steve Gontarek]

Thanks. I'll either try to hire an electric kit, or drain the system :-(

Steve

[Niel A. Farrow]

I'd get two. They can be bought for about the same price from local merchants so you can return htem (if bought from the DIY sheds). This may be a good time though to install convenient drain points in your heating system instead. Neil

[StephenC]

You could try blocking the heating header tank cold feed pipe from the tank and the vent pipe in the loft, this has worked for me on small jobs. B & Q sell tapered rubber bungs for this, but I used two balls of blutak. If nothing can get in the pipes, water should not leak out.

[Christian McArdle]

I'd drain and refill. A bottle of inhibitor costs about the same as the freezing kit. If you haven't replaced the inhibitor in the last 3 years, then it could probably benefit from a change anyway.

There is also much less risk of damage as the ice plug can break free before you're ready.

Christian.

[pjlusenet]

Plumber at work was cursing the electric one he hired. Admittedly, it was trying to work with the heating system still on! He ended up getting a CO2 one which worked. I think this was hired as well.

HTH PJ