Subject: From: Date:

Re: [ECS] Preventing frozen pipes hutchins.ta.pg.com Thu, 25 Mar 1999 12:17:21 -0500

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Peter,

Point well taken.

I do all this for the winter, actually I put in drain valves at low spots
and tilted pipes toward them for relatively easy draining. Only problem is
that this still takes 45 minutes to a hour each time and then I have to
'start up' again the next time we are there. While that isn't a problem for
the occasional trip especially considering the consequences(I have had
numerous experiences similar to yours if not quite as extensive - I'm
intimately familiar with all of the plumbing there:-)). During the Spring
and fall we usually go there every weekend and I would prefer not to have
to spend that much time opening up and closing up. Also I do live within a
hour drive so I can and have made emergency runs to shut down for the odd
major cold wave/ storm.
I'm simply looking for extra insurance for those nights where it goes down
to upper 20's and I have to guess how right the weather man is going to
be(28 vs. 22 can make a big difference!!!)


Tom





From: "peter kraus" <pkraus01@sprynet.com> on 03/25/99 09:29 AM

Please respond to ecs-list@netbloc.com

To:   ecs-list@netbloc.com
cc:    (bcc: Thomas Hutchins-TA/PGI)
Subject:  Re: [ECS] Preventing frozen pipes




i had a problem once. once is enough. thank godness i had turned of the
electric to the pump. just cracked pipes, 11 locations. also lost 3
toilets.
i would suggest the following:

1 turn of the main, either the public valve or the electric to pump
2 open several faucets hot and cold
3 antifreeze in all toilet tanks and bowls
4 drain the pipes if possible or blow them out.

this last item may be easier than you think. after my problem i tilted the
pipes toward source better than they were and then added a valve. when we
leave we execute steps 1 2 3 and then i go to basement and open drain
valve.
we leave. if we go in the winter i close the drain valve turn on the pump
close the in house faucets.

as a side note the reason for the problem went like this: we kept the heat
at 40 to avoid issues. big storm. cold. snow. wind. power failure. no
electric pilot ignition. no heat. problem.

-----Original Message-----
From: hutchins.ta@pg.com <hutchins.ta@pg.com>
To: ecs-list@netbloc.com <ecs-list@netbloc.com>
Date: Thursday, March 25, 1999 8:12 AM
Subject: [ECS] Preventing frozen pipes


:I have a non ECS question. I have a vacation house(unfortunately no
:computer yet so I can't use ECS:-(, and I need to monitor the water pipes
:during spring and fall to prevent them from freezing. What I'd like to do
:is monitor the temp in the bathroom / kitchen and if the temperature gets
:below say 32F then turn on a small space heater via X10 until the temp
gets
:above say 34F then turn it off. I know about the dangers of unattended
:heaters ect, but I think I can minimze by using some common sense and only
:depending on it in emergencies. Also, by using a CM11A programed to send
:frequent off signals(say every 15 minutes) to the heaters that should
:minimize the risk of accidental (noise) related problems.
:Any ideas?
:
:Tom
:
:

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