frigophobia ?

[KWBoy]

We have running water again! There running really low on 1/2" and 1" pvc fittings at true value and they just got boxes of insulation. lots of people are getting enough to cover the pipes under the house. So my guess is the insulation will run out by the end of the day. A county water tank line broke and made a stream at least 3 miles long and probably even longer... just couldn't see all the way down.


Any one ever seen it this cold and this many people with broken lines before? 

[MazzyStar]

I got extra insulation to double up the efforts I've already got going on the main pipe but when Nolena and I went to put the insulation on we found my pipe is leaking.  Nice ice sculptures down under the porch... Makes me think about taking up the art of ice design.  All I can say is it's a good thing that I unplugged the heater that I had under the house because that could have been a BIG problem.  I noticed the extension cord was covered a bit in ice near the plug area.  *Sigh*  If it's not one thing, it's another huh?  I called C Ford and told them that I have a leak that I'd like to share with them

Spring? Where are you?!?!?

[Freighthauler]

In regards to the washing machine problem, I had that happen to me. It turned out that the regulater froze and was busted. Price for a new regulator??.....29 bucks and it was easy to fix. The regulator is the part that  the hoses screw on, located on the back of the washer.

[ChattyCathy]

I still have no hot water.  I was hoping it would get above freezing so there would be a chance for some thawing - but it looks like the temperature is going down again!  I guess I'll go look at my water heater again and see if I can figure something out.  I have some faucets that I can get a trickle of water on the hot-water side - but the water is ice cold. 

The good thing is all my cats are in heaven with all of this running water!

[Naughty pines]

Chatty,

My neighbors had the same problem. It turns out that one pipe under the house was frozen and there was no water getting to the water heater. The water in the heater was hot but there was no water flowing in to the heater so no water would come out of it.
They had a lightbulb next to the spot that froze but it had burned out, he replaced the bulb and in a few minutes the hot water was flowing again.

Naughty

[KWBoy]

Now our problem is the kitchen water isn't working. Neither hot or cold. The pipes run through the flooring insulation and the kitchen is the only place it apparently froze. The thing I find odd is the un insulated faucets aren't frozen but the one of the insulated pipes are.

[Wrightwood]

That's what I've always heard from some old timers. In some instances the insulation can cause pipes to sweat and freeze easier. I was also told that if you have old galvanized pipes, that have made it for years, and put insulation on them you could be asking for trouble.

The thing I find odd is the un insulated faucets aren't frozen but the one of the insulated pipes are.

[KWBoy]

That's what I've always heard from some old timers. In some instances the insulation can cause pipes to sweat and freeze easier. I was also told that if you have old galvanized pipes, that have made it for years, and put insulation on them you could be asking for trouble.

Ok I'm going to go cover those pipes with deodorant 

[Naughty pines]

Where is global warming when you need it ?

[hill okie]

Boy wuz I wrong!! DRIP yer HOT and COLD faucets to avoid freezing pipes.  I'm so 

[Wrightwood]

Here's a few more tips for extreme cold conditions:

Leave cabinet/vanity doors open below sinks that are on exterior walls as it allows heat from inside the house to keep the area warm. Also don't keep laundry room and bathroom doors closed as they need some heat to keep pipes from freezing.

[kew]

Any one ever seen it this cold and this many people with broken lines before? 

It got down to -5* at our WW place in the late '80s. I'm thinking 87 or 88, I'm not really sure. I just know it was painfully cold. My daughter was living in our Phelan place at the time. It was around 6* or 7* here.

[Hillbillies]

Any one ever seen it this cold and this many people with broken lines before? 

It got down to -5* at our WW place in the late '80s. I'm thinking 87 or 88, I'm not really sure.

I would guess the winter 1987.  That was when I remember it snowing in Riverside for about 15 minutes.

[ForestGal]

I forget which year it was, but it was in the 80's, coulda been 1987, but we had a water dispenser in the garage that held 5-gallon plastic jugs of water.  It was at the front of the garage, right by the door that goes from the kitchen into the garage.  One night we forgot to close the garage door, and the 1/2 full water jug was frozen solid in the morning.  I don't know what the temp was that night, except I do know it was COLD!!

[Stitches]

I left a bottle of sparkling cider on my front porch over the weekend.    In the morning I found it had frozen and busted out the bottom of the bottle.   Interesting yellow ooze on the snow.

The sodas I had in the trunk of the car were also frozen.   I had to thaw them out in the refrigertor because they had become slushies.  That's a first - thawing out my drinks in the fridge.

[ChattyCathy]

I'm having no luck with my hot water.  I can hear the pilot light on in the water heater - the pipes by the water heater are now warm to the touch (I have a heater warming them) - so where would the frozen pipes be?  I'm barely getting a trickle from the hot water side of the faucet - and it's icy cold - in fact I've been drinking a lot more water -- so there's one good thing!

[ForestGal]

ChattyCathy,  I'm so sorry for your ongoing problem!  I don't know anything about how stuff works, so can't offer any advice, except have you called a plumber?

But you are welcome to come over here for a hot shower tomorrow if you want.  As long as you don't mind clutter and dust!

[ChattyCathy]

Thanks, ForestGal, but a neighbor has let me use her shower.  This is so frustrating.  I've basically been heating the outside to no avail, I see my electric meter spinning - I guess it's time to call a plumber.

[Thiassi]

The plumber with a lot of tattoos is really good. I can't remember his name.

[Nolena]

I guess it's finally happened...