Frozen Water Lines

[Uncle Meat]

Pray for overcast tonight!

If it's gonna be clear, it's gonna get really cold.

 

[undeg01]

My main worry at our place is frozen sprinkler heads on our aerobic septic system.
So far I can only find one of the three. It was covered in ice; I kicked the ice off and it popped back down, so hopefully it will flow.
I'm going to keep looking for the other two.

I have battled this myself. I’ll explain how I keep them working.

I covered each before the snow with empty cattle mineral tubs.

I then made little charcoal powered furnaces for each one out of small coffee cans by cutting 3 slots around the circumference of the bottom of the can and bent them in for airflow vents.

I start charcoal in one of those chimney starters and fill each coffee can half way with white hot charcoal, placing the can a couple inches from the sprinkler head, then put the mineral tub back over everything while the charcoal is burning. This thaws the ice and dries everything out.

Just before bed, I remove the tubs so the sprinklers will spray over night. They freeze up again when they finish spraying, but the charcoal process will thaw them out and get them ready for the next night.

I have no idea what to expect if the temps get to -15 tonight like they are calling for.

 

[MacFromOK]

We've been fortunate. We're on a slab, but have plumbing on two outside walls in the utility room (south side of the house). I run a small electric heater in there pointed at the south wall (washer lines) when it's really cold (have used a 100W lamp in times past).

Had the house built in '76, and so far, so good.

 

[EKing]

"Move to Oklahoma" they said.
"It sometimes gets cold but it passes quick" they said.

 

[Mr.Glock]

I have battled this myself. I’ll explain how I keep them working.

I covered each before the snow with empty cattle mineral tubs.

I then made little charcoal powered furnaces for each one out of small coffee cans by cutting 3 slots around the circumference of the bottom of the can and bent them in for airflow vents.

I start charcoal in one of those chimney starters and fill each coffee can half way with white hot charcoal, placing the can a couple inches from the sprinkler head, then put the mineral tub back over everything while the charcoal is burning. This thaws the ice and dries everything out.

Just before bed, I remove the tubs so the sprinklers will spray over night. They freeze up again when they finish spraying, but the charcoal process will thaw them out and get them ready for the next night.

I have no idea what to expect if the temps get to -15 tonight like they are calling for.

Here is how we suggest to do them. On initial install or retro fit the the sprinkler heads to be in small hard sided water junction boxes. Before the sprinkler head is attached secure a water tight plastic jug over the pipe, install sprinkler head. In winter, pour RV antifreeze in the water tight plastic jug inside the water box around the sprinkler head base. Still have to keep snow from piling on top, but they will function and flow in freezing temps.

 

[Judi]

Suppose to be in the low 60's on Saturday.....next week....this week they say 54 degrees

 

[freewookie]

Here is how we suggest to do them. On initial install or retro fit the the sprinkler heads to be in small hard sided water junction boxes. Before the sprinkler head is attached secure a water tight plastic jug over the pipe, install sprinkler head. In winter, pour RV antifreeze in the water tight plastic jug inside the water box around the sprinkler head base. Still have to keep snow from piling on top, but they will function and flow in freezing temps.

You have any pictures?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[O4L]

Suppose to be in the low 60's on Saturday.....next week....this week they say 54 degrees

Crazy, huh?

 

[Aries]

Suppose to be in the low 60's on Saturday.....next week....this week they say 54 degrees

I am DESPERATE to see 54 degrees. 44 would be great. I'd take 34 in a heartbeat!

 

[O4L]

I am DESPERATE to see 54 degrees. 44 would be great. I'd take 34 in a heartbeat!

With the sunshine today, 24° would be alright with me. This global warming is starting to suck!