Should I try and drain this pipe ready for when it thaws?

[bieahart]

Hi,

I believe I have a frozen plastic pipe (picture 1) to one downstairs radiator in and extension as discussed in this post... //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=255152

I am leaving my ch on a lowish setting even during the night to try and prevent other pipes freezing. However, they is a chance that outside temperatures could rise a little in the next few days and therefore possibly thaw out the frozen section of pipe (picture 1).

I can get access to part of this pipe in the extension loft where i can unscrew a connection in the pipe (picture 2). At this segment of the pipe they is normal unfrozen cold water.

If I unscrew this connection (picture 2) to drain the water into a bucket and then screw it back together, will this help prevent a possible burst when the frozen section thaws?

Thanks for your time.

1

Picture Title

• bieahart
• 23 Dec 2010
• 1

2

Picture Title

• bieahart
• 23 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[misterdubya]

If I unscrew this connection (picture 2) to drain the water into a bucket and then screw it back together, will this help prevent a possible burst when the frozen section thaws?

You cant just unsrew that and pull the pipe apart. Those push fits dont work that way.

Mr. W.

 

[bieahart]

Hi, Thanks for the reply,

It does unscrew. I have already done it very breifly just to check if they is water in it. In fact the slightly darker patch on picture 2 under the circled screw connection is from the towel I had under it from when i previously unscrewed it.

Im thinking I could unscrew it over a bucket to drain more water out.

 

[Richard C]

Pipes burst (split) when the water in the pipe freezes & expands into ice, you only notice its burst when the ices thaws back to water & leaks. The pipe will have burst already if it was going to so draining the unfrozen section will achieve nothing.

 

[bieahart]

Thanks Richard. Understood!

 

[htgeng]

Thanks Richard. Understood!

i woudl draw back some of the loft insulation under the pipe, so that heat from the room below helps it to slowly thaw out. You will be re-routing them or insulating them!?

 

[htgeng]

double post

 

[bieahart]

Thanks htgeng.

I will insulate as far as i can reach but i think they will be quite a bit that is inaccesable. I would disagree with the double post comment as I am asking a different question in this thread

Would it be a good idea to drain the pipe so if by any chance the pipe has burst they will be less water to leak out?