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How to Defrost and Protect Pipes

Exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees can cause pipes to freeze and break. A few simple steps can help protect pipes from freezing or defrost them when they do.

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Aluminum foil Electric heating tape Electrical tape Heat gun Insulation tape Insulation

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How to Defrost and Protect Pipes

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" When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees in the winter, pipes can freeze and break. Here's how to safely defrost the pipe, and protect it from freezing again. Make sure you're ready for surprises. Know how to quickly turn off the water supply to the pipe in case you discovered that the pipe was cracked or broken by the freezing process. Open the faucet fed by the pipe that's now frozen. You'll quickly be able to tell when the pipes starts to defrost by the flow of water."

" again. Here are some tips. First, until you get the pipe properly protected, leave the faucet running at a trickle. It will waste a small amount of water, but the pipe won't freeze if there's water running through it. If the pipe runs along an outside wall, try to slide insulation into the space between the wall and the length of pipe, which will protect the pipe from the cold. In addition, you can wrap the entire length of pipe with fiberglass insulation tape, or a foam sleeve to insulate the pipe from the surrounding area. If the pipe is located in the cabinet or a closet, leave the cabinet doors open on cold nights to allow the circulation and warmer air from the room to enter the cabinet. If the space of the pipe is in a subject to extended freezing temperatures, you can keep the pipe warm with an electric heating tape. Following the instructions, instal the tape along the pipe, holding it in place for the electrical tape. Cover the electrical tape with nonflammable fiberglass tape. To prevent condensation from forming and dropping on the floor, wrap the fiberglass insulation with the plastic wrap that came with the kit. Always plug the three-pronged plug of the heating tape into a three-pronged outlet. To make sure the heat tape is properly grounded. If you use an extension cord, make sure it's heavy duty and rated for the same amperage demanded by the heating tape. On cold days, check the pipe until you are sure the approach who have taken has solved the problem. With a little care, the pipe should not freeze for winters to come."

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Quieting Loud Pipes

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. If your pipes are whistling, banging or knocking when you turn the water on or off, there are things you can do to quiet them. Water hammer is a common cause of banging pipes. In plumbing where water pressure is high, shutting off the tap can cause the pressure to back up and jolt the pipe, a little like slamming on the brakes in your car. The jolt can be especially violent when a solenoid-controlled appliance like a washer or dishwasher shuts the tap since the shutoff happens instantaneously. Many homes come already equipped with water hammer arresters, which are small air chambers attached above the water line to absorb the pressure of the water as it s shut off. Spiral-shaped water hammer arresters were also used years ago and you may still find them in older homes. Plumbing that s not properly anchored to the framing can rub or bang on whatever is nearby and cause a racket. All this banging and jolting can strain pipes and copper fittings and you can eventually wind up with a leak. It s best to deal with the cause of the noise wherever you have access to the plumbing. Plastic or nylon pipe inserts work well to cushion pipes running through framing members, but they need to be installed when you do the plumbing. For retrofitting, try pipe hangers. These plastic hooks hold the pipe off the framing and have a felt or rubber cushion to absorb any movement and prevent noise. Whistling sounds are also common where a shutoff valve hasn t been opened all the way or where pressure is high. If your water pressure is excessively high, installing a pressure-reducing valve near the water meter will get rid of the noise and lower your water bill. But consult a plumber first to be sure it won t take too much pressure away from any upper story plumbing. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Unfreezing Pipes

When water supply pipes freeze, first restore home heat to the area. Start working on the supply side and leave a faucet open so you can tell when a flow starts. Pour boiling water over cloth wrapped around the pipe, or use a heat gun, heat lamp, or electrical heating tape. Avoid propane torches: their concentrated heat may cause pipes to burst.

Copper Pipe Joints

First use fine sandpaper to clean the inside of the fitting and the ends of the pipe. Then brush flux onto your fitting. Join the pipes together and use a propane torch to heat the fitting, not the pipe; that pulls the solder into the joint. If the copper turns black, it's too hot. Now, wipe off the excess, and that's all there is to it.

Replacing Brass Water Pipes with PEX Tubing

Al Leone of Leone Plumbing replaces the old brass water pipes with PEX tubing in the Melrose basement project. Leone explains that the water hammer will be removed as it is so old it is obsolete. Leone cuts the pipes into sections for easy removal. The brass pipe dates back to when the house was built and is corroded and thin from years of use. The proper length of tubing is pulled and held in place by a bend support. Bob explains that by using PEX tubing, more headroom is created in the basement and the sink and laundry lines can be esily relocated. Kyle Tasse of Viega North America shows Bob the three different types of PEX: Pexcel for plumbing, Pextron for heating, and Fostapex for both plumbing and heating. According to Tasse, the advantage to Pexcel is the connection system that features a sleeve with an eyehole for double checking that the sleeve is securely on the tubing. The fitting holds the sleeve in place so that the lines can be dry fitted and attached later. Bob points out that innovative technology is exciting for do-it-yourselfers, but it is often best to hire a master plumber.