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Frozen Circulation Pump

  • 22-12-2010 11:41am
    #1
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭


    I know its a common problem and there is no solution but maybe someone can advise me what to do to prevent further damage.

    Our electricity went out for several hours last night so the circulation pump on our buffer tank could not pump and it subsequently froze along with all of the pipe work leading to and from it. I now presume that the district heating pipe from the garage to the house is frozen too where it enters through the wall of the house in a copper pipe. Luckily the boiler is a gasifying boiler so even without the electricity, it self circulated and kept the pipes between it and the buffer tank warm and the laddomat stayed warm too. I also lit a small fire in the boiler again this morning just to bring it up to 70 degrees and prevent it from freezing during the day.

    We have a range and a stove in the house so we're not stuck for heat. But can anyone tell me if there is something that I can do to prevent the pipes from cracking?? I know I will have to wait until the thaw to get it working again. Would it be wise for me to loosen the pipes to release the pressure in the system and let the water expand more or should I just let it be - is it a case of what will be will be???

    I have accepted the fact that my circulation pump is probably f4cked because it ran while frozen for a few hours in the early hours and has most likely burned itself out.

    Any advice appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    Buford T Justice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    Is it an open or a closed system?


  • #3
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    Fingers McGee wrote: »
    Is it an open or a closed system?

    Its closed


  • #4
    Buford T Justice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    Maybe take the screw out of the center of the pump to allow water to escape when it expands


  • #5
    rocketjk
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 30 ✭rocketjk


    Easy just add some antifreeze to the system...


  • #6
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    rocketjk wrote: »
    Easy just add some antifreeze to the system...

    There's a 1500l buffer tank and the boiler itself holds 250l and then the system probably holds another 150l - how much antifreeze would I need???


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  • #7
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    Fingers McGee wrote: »
    Maybe take the screw out of the center of the pump to allow water to escape when it expands

    Thanks, I did that last night. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what happens. At least if it does burst, it'll be outside.


  • #8
    Buford T Justice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,262 ✭✭✭Buford T Justice


    rocketjk wrote: »
    Easy just add some antifreeze to the system...

    Can't do that when its frozen.
    reilig wrote: »
    There's a 1500l buffer tank and the boiler itself holds 250l and then the system probably holds another 150l - how much antifreeze would I need???

    Plumbers merchants will be able to tell you that.
    reilig wrote: »
    Thanks, I did that last night. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what happens. At least if it does burst, it'll be outside.

    Was working at frozen pipes today. If its Pex piping, then they tend to push the pipes out of the fittings when they expand rather than burst in my experience. Same too with Hydra.

    Copper is another matter, but with the screw out of the pump the expanding water will have somewhere to go, so fingers crossed. Remember, you will need to top up your system when all this is over, and replace the screw obviously.


  • #9
    Sparkpea
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,118 ✭✭✭Sparkpea


    unscrew the bleed screw at the pump and put a heater out beside it, shouldnt take long to thaw it out a bit. even if you get it thawed a bit it means the ice will have more room to expand to so theres less likely a chance of it bursting.


  • #10
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    Lads, unfortunately on closer inspection, the pump cracked at the back. Had to buy a new one today - EUR 82. Hopefully there won't be any more damage to the system. Will wait till after the thaw to replace. Also got a gallon of anti-freeze for the system which should prevent further freezes.


  • #11
    heinbloed
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,632 ✭✭✭heinbloed


    There's a 1500l buffer tank and the boiler itself holds 250l and then the system probably holds another 150l - how much antifreeze would I need???

    The concentration should be at around 20% (maybe more!), check the manufacturer's label.

    If mutants in your neighbourhood are still a rarity then go for a PEG based anti-freeze, see :

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/205159.php


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  • #12
    reilig
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭reilig


    Thanks Guys. Pump replaced and thankfully the boiler is holding pressure. A little bit of air still in the system but will wait until water pressure comes back to proper strength before I bleede the radiators any more. We have less water now now than we had during the cold spell. Its only on for a couple of hours each day and never enough pressure to fill the attic tanks :mad:


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