Plumbing: How long before pipes freeze?

Danny_Ocean · 01-14-2008, 09:06 PM

I have a new, well-insulated vacation home. In the winter (Dec., Jan., Feb) the temps drop to the 20's/30's on occasion in the evening (midnight or so). As soon as the sun rises, we're back to 50's/60's.

Question is: Do I have to worry about the pipes inside the home freezing? I have 3 outdoor spigots which are covered with foam "frost protectors". All remaining plumbing is inside, within insulated walls. Will my pipes freeze if exposed to freezing temps for 6 hrs. or so?

LakeCleElum · 01-14-2008, 09:19 PM

Danny - I've had a vacation cabin overlooking a lake in the mts for over 20 yrs. Have also just finished building a vacation home in the same area and it's vacant with no heat while I'm gone.....

Suggest you get a themometer that records the "lowest low" and leave it inside to see how cold it's getting at night.....I think if it getting to 50/60 in the daytime, you're good to go......

From my experience, you need temp's inside in the low 20's or below continually for several days before a pipe would freeze and break.

I build the cabin myself and designed the plumbing system to with no horzonial runs and drank it all in to the walk-in crawl space.

On the new house, I shut the well off, open a facuet by the well and use air pressure (fitting near the hot water tank) to blow the water in the pipe either thru the open faucet in the house or back thru the one by the well........So, being in a much colder climate, I get water out of both places when I'm not there......I think you're OK, but would keep an eye on those low temps......G'luck..

mattdavis11 · 01-14-2008, 09:35 PM

It has to get pretty damn cold to freeze the pipes inside. Like 15 degrees for several days at a vacant house with hardly any insulation. Let a faucet drip if you are worried.

RoninLB · 01-14-2008, 09:59 PM

A town water branch to house could freeze outside under right temps if it's not moving periodically.

Sapporo Guy · 01-14-2008, 10:32 PM

hmmm, I guess I live in pretty dam cold territory

In my neck of the woods, we turn off the water main and then open all faucets and flush the toilet. This normally takes care of most winter weather.

But popping back up in the 50/60s ... I'd gander that you'd be ok. You need time for the internal house temperature to drop low enough to be a real problem.

We normally just have the pipes freeze with no breakage. But ... your miles may vary.

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

Wouldn't happen where I live either; can you get a neighbour to check on the place once in a while?

I had a propane tank run empty at the wrong time and froze my lines; yikes that was a mess to fix. 100 Watt light bulbs in the right spot really help too.

Good Luck and Congrats on the vacation home; should bring you some nice memories!

djmcmath · 01-15-2008, 02:31 AM

If it only periodically drops below freezing, it's pretty unlikely it'll freeze through the pipes. I've been in winters cold enough to freeze running water, winters so cold that it was frozen 3-4 feet into the ground. I remember once it even got so cold that F and C read the same number on the thermometer. That's d*** cold.

But if it's just dipping below, you should be fine. That's not real cold.

Dan

onewhippedpuppy · 01-15-2008, 04:33 AM

If the weather stays as described, you will be fine. If there is an especially cold snap, however, you might be in trouble. If there is extra cold weather predicted, it might be worth leaving the heater on, but turned all the way down. This is assuming you are able to easily get to the vacation home, and it's not hours away.

notfarnow · 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

I have 3 outdoor spigots which are covered with foam "frost protectors".

I would find a way to drain those outdoor spigots.

I assume the water pressure is off while you're not there? If not, you could really be courting disaster.

A neighbor replumbed his cottage so he could drain his whole system, right back to the pressure tank, in about 5 minutes. I helped him close up his cottage a couple years ago, and it was really slick. There's 2 valves right above the pressure tank. One isolates the pressure tank & pump, which stay heated with heat wrap. The other valve drains all the pipes through the cottage. He starts upstairs, opening taps and works his way downstairs. His water heater is set up the same. It stays full, but all the pipes it feeds are drained.

I've had frozen pipes 3-4 times in my house, and it's always been the result of a draft that passes near a pipe. No issues at all even down to -25C, but I've had pipes freeze and burst at -10C because of a draft.

Mule · 01-15-2008, 05:43 AM

Exactly, untill theey get gold enough. Slab house, foam protectors, you should be good.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Leaving the thermostat at it's lowest setting seems to be a good policy.

I've always wondered about those foam protectors though. For $12 or so at Home Depot you can get a sill cock made specifically to live in cold temps.

id10t · 01-15-2008, 06:00 AM

What is your water source? Here in N Florida we get down into the 20s at night some times, and on my well pump there is one little tiny 1/4" tube that could freeze very easily, which would mess the whole thing up....

Big Ed · 01-15-2008, 06:05 AM

5-6 hours in the 20's won't do it. However, a cold snap might cause trouble. Can't you leave the heat on at 40 degrees as insurance?

Danny_Ocean · 01-15-2008, 06:42 AM

Thanks, all. Sounds like I'm good.

Again, the outside temp is never below freezing for more than 6 hrs. at a stretch (Southern NM, high desert - 4200').

I have a "roommate" who lives in the house while I'm away, but she travels occasionally, so the home is sometimes empty. It is at those times when I am concerned.

We have municipal water and the lines are buried appx. 24" ~ 36". With the heat off (I've been turning it off at night while asleep), and the outside temps in the 20's/30's, the thermometer inside reads 62 ~ 65. House is about 6 months old and well wrapped/insulated.