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No oil in cold weather

  • 09-12-2010 7:50am
    #1
    Bob Z
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭


    If you don't use oil And you aren't able to put a fire in the cold weather can the pipes freeze? How long before it happens?


Comments

  • #2
    mlmcelligott
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭mlmcelligott


    Do you live in an apartment or house? If you’re in a house then the plumbing in the attic is most at risk. If you have an old 100w or 150w light bulb put it into the attic and leave it on until the thaw comes. It'll take the cold bit out of the air up there and stop the pipes freezing.


  • #3
    mrgaa1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 759 ✭✭✭mrgaa1


    Bob Z wrote: »
    If you don't use oil And you aren't able to put a fire in the cold weather can the pipes freeze? How long before it happens?
    what sort of heating are you using then?


  • #4
    Bob Z
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    mrgaa1 wrote: »
    what sort of heating are you using then?

    none. I was away because the chimney is blocked


  • #5
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Bob Z wrote: »
    If you don't use oil And you aren't able to put a fire in the cold weather can the pipes freeze? How long before it happens?

    The length of time it would take pipes to freeze (and more importantly crack) is a combination of factors.

    1. Water in pipes has to be below 0 for a protracted period of time in order to freeze. As it is nominally under pressure, its point of freezing is actually below zero, actual freezing point being a coefficient of the pressure its under, its level of purity and the duration for which the temperature is applied.

    2. Cracking of pipes (and subsequent leaks) tends to happen during a thaw (as the maximum density of water increases in a linear manner, peaking at around 4 degrees- once again dependent on the pressure its under). The liklihood of a pipe to crack- is also influenced by its material- some types of pipes are far more capable of dealing with thermal expansion and contraction, than others.

    3. Water damage from burst pipes is normally one of the insurable risks on a household insurance policy (this is why home insurance premia shot up this year- after the avalanche of claims from burst pipes last January).

    In short- there is no rough and ready guide to how long it will take a pipe carrying water to freeze- every situation is unique........


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