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Cold weather tips: Stopping your pipes from freezing

  • 08-01-2010 5:35pm
    #1
    DublinWriter
    Registered Users Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭


    A lot of people are now experiencing problems with frozen pipes in their attics.

    A simple way to prevent this is to leave your attic door open!

    It happened to us this morning. A couple of hours with the heating full on soon fixed the problem.

    This will also reduce the chances of pipes bursting and eventually flooding.


«1345

Comments

  • #2
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    its no longer a cold snap


  • #3
    AckwelFoley
    Registered Users Posts: 12,556 ✭✭✭✭AckwelFoley


    DublinWriter wrote: »
    A lot of people are now experiencing problems with frozen pipes in their attics.

    A simple way to prevent this is to leave your attic door open!

    It happened to us this morning. A couple of hours with the heating full on soon fixed the problem.

    This will also reduce the chances of pipes bursting and eventually flooding.

    Thanks for the Tip MacGyver


  • #4
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    Nahh leave the attic door in most modern houses open and half the house will catch pnuemonia.

    An easier solution would be to run a 100w bulb up through a hole in the door. Yes this does work...and leave your down stairs tap on a very slow drip. If you are really over concerned.


  • #5
    DublinWriter
    Registered Users Posts: 9,555 ✭✭✭DublinWriter


    snyper wrote: »
    Thanks for the Tip MacGyver
    Hey, don't thank me, thank the Moon's gravitational pull.


  • #6
    Gordon
    Registered Users Posts: 35,523 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    DublinWriter wrote: »
    A lot of people are now experiencing problems with frozen pipes in their attics.

    A simple way to prevent this is to leave your attic door open!

    It happened to us this morning. A couple of hours with the heating full on soon fixed the problem.

    This will also reduce the chances of pipes bursting and eventually flooding.
    Where would such a thread exist? I can post an announcement pointing people to the thread/forum that this is discussed in if you want to set up a thread there?


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  • #7
    -Chris-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,035 ✭✭✭✭-Chris-


    TBH, the place that comes to mind for me is the Lifehacks forum.


  • #8
    Gordon
    Registered Users Posts: 35,523 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    Someone create a thread about cold(snap) tips and I'll announce it.

    Actually, forget that, I'll move this thread there. If the mods don't want it here, feel free to move to where you think it's better placed.


  • #9
    jumpguy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,962 ✭✭✭jumpguy


    Joey the lips wrote: »
    Nahh leave the attic door in most modern houses open and half the house will catch pnuemonia.

    An easier solution would be to run a 100w bulb up through a hole in the door. Yes this does work...and leave your down stairs tap on a very slow drip. If you are really over concerned.
    Running a 100w bulb is what we do too and it never fails. However, I'd advise against a dripping tap, you're destroying our water infrastructure. With burst pipes, the water supply in many areas is now under extreme pressure. If more people start leaving their taps dripping, there'll most definetly be severe shortages.


  • #10
    ravima
    Registered Users Posts: 848 ✭✭✭ravima


    shower is not working - water inlet pipe to shower is frozen. how can i prevent this happening once water resumes later tomorrow??


  • #11
    newtoboards
    Registered Users Posts: 418 ✭✭newtoboards


    Another tip I just read in the paper is to insulate the external stopcock by putting rags or foam or an old piece of carpet over it.


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  • #12
    galwaytt
    Registered Users Posts: 12,757 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    jumpguy wrote: »
    ........ However, I'd advise against a dripping tap, you're destroying our water infrastructure. ........

    ....makes you a match for the local authority so, given their incompetence.....

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • #13
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    jumpguy wrote: »
    Running a 100w bulb is what we do too and it never fails. However, I'd advise against a dripping tap, you're destroying our water infrastructure. With burst pipes, the water supply in many areas is now under extreme pressure. If more people start leaving their taps dripping, there'll most definetly be severe shortages.

    How do you expect the heat generated from a 100W bulb to heat your attic sufficiently to prevent the temp dropping below zero?????
    Its just coincidence it "never fails".

    Best thing to ensure is that your attic pipes are insulated or @ least under the insulation, also your attic tank should have insulation on all sides and on the top(not the bottom)

    Marty.


  • #14
    jumpguy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,962 ✭✭✭jumpguy


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ....makes you a match for the local authority so, given their incompetence.....
    Sorry buddy, you can give me snide remarks all you want, but that's the truth.
    martyc5674 wrote: »
    How do you expect the heat generated from a 100W bulb to heat your attic sufficiently to prevent the temp dropping below zero?????
    Its just coincidence it "never fails".

    Best thing to ensure is that your attic pipes are insulated or @ least under the insulation, also your attic tank should have insulation on all sides and on the top(not the bottom)

    Marty.
    Not sure, of course insulation is definetly the best thing to do, and make sure the house is warm. But if you have a bulb in the attic - leave it on. You do know that bulbs are all that keep incubators and the likes warm? They defo help in the attic.


  • #15
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    jumpguy wrote: »
    You do know that bulbs are all that keep incubators and the likes warm?

    They are heat lamps in incubators though...a 100W bulb is designed to light not to heat (however traditional filament bulbs are inefficient and do give off heat)
    In any case 100W in you attic is piddly...it wont warm it the slightest.

    To give you an idea a rad in a typical sitting room would be somewhere between 2KW and 3KW (20 to 30 100W light bulbs)...its designed to give out heat...your room is insulated and designed to keep in heat.
    Attics arent insulated and there is a gap around your eaves for ventilation(ie open window!!)

    So dont waste your time sticking bulbs up the attics for gods sake!!
    Maybe a super ser up there!!
    Marty


  • #16
    gipi
    Registered Users Posts: 2,855 ✭✭✭gipi


    newtoboards wrote: »
    Another tip I just read in the paper is to insulate the external stopcock by putting rags or foam or an old piece of carpet over it.

    Covering the stopcock has worked for me - water pipes froze twice over Christmas (inc Christmas Day), I read about defrosting the stopcock by pouring warm water around it which worked a treat!

    I then moved the pet's wooden kennel over the stopcock (it's close to my back door, in case anyone thinks I'm tripping up the neighbours!!), and despite the temps getting down to -7 last night, water hasn't frozen since I covered it (yeh, I know I'm tempting fate now, aren't I!).


  • #17
    milltown
    Registered Users Posts: 4,613 ✭✭✭milltown


    martyc5674 wrote: »
    Maybe a super ser up there!!
    Marty

    That would heat the whole house before too long ;) Albeit briefly.
    I believe an insurance co. will now refuse to pay out for any damage caused by these antique death traps.


  • #18
    Plowman
    Registered Users Posts: 2,630 ✭✭✭Plowman


    This post has been deleted.


  • #19
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    milltown wrote: »
    That would heat the whole house before too long ;) Albeit briefly.
    I believe an insurance co. will now refuse to pay out for any damage caused by these antique death traps.

    Didnt realise they were essentially illegal nowadays...they were all the rage when i was growing up!!
    Havent seen one in years...great yokes!! .....click click click BANG BANG BANG... starting em up was always hairy, flames could travel any distance across the room!
    Marty


  • #20
    RizzoJR
    Registered Users Posts: 85 ✭✭RizzoJR


    jumpguy wrote: »
    Running a 100w bulb is what we do too and it never fails. However, I'd advise against a dripping tap, you're destroying our water infrastructure. With burst pipes, the water supply in many areas is now under extreme pressure. If more people start leaving their taps dripping, there'll most definetly be severe shortages.

    Leave your COLD KITCHEN SINK tap dripping overnight
    into a container for re-use next morning

    Leaving this tap dripping reduces the chance of your pipes
    freezing and you losing water like so many have already.

    This is 2010 Ireland, getting economically raped by the bankers, and being fed continuous lies by Fianna Fail.

    When you do the supposedly right thing and dont leave your tap dripping, and you lose your water
    you wont get ANY help from the government, who will blame the council, who will blame the builders, who are
    getting bailed out by government....

    Ireland, what can go wrong next???


  • #21
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    Plowman wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.


    Ill burst that one for ya!!
    The cables wouldnt get warm from a 100W current draw..if youd like to test this put your hand on the cable on any light bulb...it wont be warm.


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  • #22
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    jumpguy wrote: »
    Running a 100w bulb is what we do too and it never fails. However, I'd advise against a dripping tap, you're destroying our water infrastructure. With burst pipes, the water supply in many areas is now under extreme pressure. If more people start leaving their taps dripping, there'll most definetly be severe shortages.

    I should have said i dont support the idea of a dripping tap but if its the difference between a good and bad nights sleep for most i would allow the dripping tap.

    My apologies... Never waste water or energy but sometimes there is times which its necessary...


  • #23
    GismoBaby
    Registered Users Posts: 226 ✭✭GismoBaby


    pipes froze in my house that i rent out cos i went back to college nad the tenants up and left without paying the rent! they hadnt been there all over xmas no heat on and wondered why the pipes froze. anyways leaving the attic door open a tad and putting a wee blow heater up there will defrost the pipes enough then do the whole run the tap into a container to save water for tea trick! but not before you read the meter for the ones who up and left with one days without paying rent.... hehe!!! evil larf!!


  • #24
    InkSlinger67
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭InkSlinger67


    snyper wrote: »
    Thanks for the Tip MacGyver

    A typical Mac response would be "Don't thank me! Thank the gravitational pull of the moon!" ;)


  • #25
    Joey the lips
    Registered Users Posts: 10,262 ✭✭✭✭Joey the lips


    RizzoJR wrote: »
    Leave your COLD KITCHEN SINK tap dripping overnight
    into a container for re-use next morning

    Leaving this tap dripping reduces the chance of your pipes
    freezing and you losing water like so many have already.

    This is 2010 Ireland, getting economically raped by the bankers, and being fed continuous lies by Fianna Fail.

    When you do the supposedly right thing and dont leave your tap dripping, and you lose your water
    you wont get ANY help from the government, who will blame the council, who will blame the builders, who are
    getting bailed out by government....

    Ireland, what can go wrong next???


    No point leaving your cold kitchen tap running. This is the mains before it comes into your house. You leave the cold bathroom tap running. pref the one downstairs if you have a cold bathroom tap downstairs.

    The light bulb is a very old remedy given on the radio many years ago. I dont know if it works to be honest but you climb into many of the attics of an old house and you will see the light bulb hanging over the water tank.

    Now i dont know about you but there is not many reasons i would hang a light over a water tank. ;)


  • #26
    damone
    Registered Users Posts: 38 ✭damone


    its no myth ,the heat of the bulb takes the bite out of the cold in you re attic ,has worked for all of my 37 years and plenty of folk i know ,it get ****in cold and drafty in attics so leavin the trapdoor open isnt always a good idea!!!by the way over the tank is definitly not the place to put any electrical object obviously !!!


  • #27
    subiedunne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭subiedunne


    Our water supplies are running dangerously low please do not leave your taps running, and if your attic is up to date with insulation it should be okay. Keep the light on if it makes you feel better but it won't do much in heating the attic..


  • #28
    subiedunne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭subiedunne


    do not leave your taps on nation cannot cope, we are very low on water as it is...


  • #29
    martyc5674
    Registered Users Posts: 2,520 ✭✭✭martyc5674


    damone wrote: »
    its no myth ,the heat of the bulb takes the bite out of the cold in you re attic ,has worked for all of my 37 years and plenty of folk i know ,!

    Sorry but its a myth!!...A 100W bulb wouldnt warm your socks never mind a large uninsulated draughty attic..its nonsense and you have just been lucky/your pipes are well covered.

    subiedunne speaks sense...listen to him/her!

    Marty.


  • #30
    jumpguy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,962 ✭✭✭jumpguy


    RizzoJR wrote: »
    Leave your COLD KITCHEN SINK tap dripping overnight
    into a container for re-use next morning

    Leaving this tap dripping reduces the chance of your pipes
    freezing and you losing water like so many have already.

    This is 2010 Ireland, getting economically raped by the bankers, and being fed continuous lies by Fianna Fail.

    When you do the supposedly right thing and dont leave your tap dripping, and you lose your water
    you wont get ANY help from the government, who will blame the council, who will blame the builders, who are
    getting bailed out by government....

    Ireland, what can go wrong next???
    Right, I'm not bringing politics into this (it's brought into every argument now, but this is one argument where it's not relevant at ALL) but just look at it like this. Pipes are bursting around the country and this is draining reservoirs rapidly, and decreasing mains water pressure. Water pressure is important for certain machines, and most commonly electric showers. If people start advising to leave water dripping, this is going to exasperate the problem immensely, and the water will have to be switched off at night (I heard it already is being switched off in some places). Then we'll see how much water-flow problems you have.

    I'm pretty sure the bulb (not sure if the one in this attic is 100W) must help somewhat. Ours is hanging over the water tank too. It can only help and there have never been frozen attic pipes. Call it a coincidence or not, that's the case.


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  • #31
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,041 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    We used have what I think was called a chick lamp, a huge bulb that was red on the lower part, we used that to stop the pipes freezing in the attic but that was years ago. In the house we are in now the chimney runs up through the centre of the house and the water tank is beside it. It isn't usually cold enough to test this theory but so far we havent had any frozen pipes.


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