Frozen Hot Water Pipe In Attic
Don t forget your labor.
Frozen hot water pipe in attic. However insulation just slows down heat gain it doesn t cool anything. Pex won t ruin if frozen. It s smart to insulate water supply piping exposed to freezing temp. You can also consider using an attic heater if one exists in order to keep the temperature just above 0 c.
The cost will run about 50 70 per foot. Water inside the pipes can still freeze. Replace with freshly soaked hot towels every 5 10 minutes until the pipe thaws. You can drain hot water from the water heater tank into a bucket then dip rags into the water.
Work your way back from the faucet to allow. Never use a blowtorch kerosene or propane heater charcoal stove or other open flame device and keep space heaters at least a few feet from the pipe. Look to spend about 75 to 150 to insulate pipe in the attic of a 2 bath home. Keep pouring hot water over the open valve until water begins to flow.
You can also wrap pipes in heat tape or heat cables with a thermostat control. Hi just an idea run the hot and cold water pipes in the attic next to each other touching if possible then wrap them in insulation together now go to the sink in the new bath room and install a recerculation pump and make sure it is on when the weather is cold. Otherwise a cold water line run a long distance through a hot attic can take several. Heat the area until full water pressure is restored.
The best pipe insulation for your situation will depend on your home. Insulation will help maintain water temperature levels in the pipes. Insulate pipes located in the attic and crawl space using pipe insulation even if the climate where you live does not often have hard freeze conditions. There are no manufacturer guarantees it won t fail.
Another idea is box the pipes in and run a heating duct to them. Yes insulating the pipe will help. Wrapping towels soaked in hot water around the pipe or using a space heater to warm the surrounding area can help it thaw. Pour your warm water onto the frozen hose valve until you can remove the hose.
Wrap the pipe in hot towels. Continue to pour warm water onto it until you can open and close the valve. Ring them out then wrap them securely around the frozen section of pipe. Throw salt sand or soil into the water you spill in the path.
Put on rubber gloves and soak towels in hot water. If they freeze for any reason check your attic ventilation and seal ventilation holes during the winter to warm the attic.