Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The DU Lounge

In reply to the discussion: This is bad. UPDATE 02-17-21 [View all]

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
8. Make sure you leave a faucet or two open.
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 11:15 AM
Feb 2021

Frozen pipes are bad but you can also alleviate some pain by putting an old fashioned 100 watt light very near the pipe where it comes into the house. As long as you have power this will help thaw them.

Another trick is to sink a piece of iron rebar into the ground so it makes contact with the buried pipes in your yard, then attaching a car battery to it via jumper cables. The current will transfer to the copper or iron pipes and help thaw them underground.

Of coarse if the underground pipes are plastic then this is not going to work that well.

Good luck.

This is bad. UPDATE 02-17-21 [View all] Laelth Feb 2021 OP
Terrific news! Cracklin Charlie Feb 2021 #1
Good news, Laelth! Ohiogal Feb 2021 #2
So glad the situation has improved. Mike 03 Feb 2021 #3
I wish you the best. Hang in there. Firestorm49 Feb 2021 #4
Good to hear. denbot Feb 2021 #5
Yaaaay! SheltieLover Feb 2021 #6
May the force be with you, Laelth. sarge43 Feb 2021 #7
Make sure you leave a faucet or two open. Tommymac Feb 2021 #8
I think Laelth NJCher Feb 2021 #19
Another trick for thawing pipes, wnylib Feb 2021 #27
Be careful with rebar. You might have to pound it hard, to get through frozen earth. ... JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2021 #42
Sending good wishes for your power to remain on. Lonestarblue Feb 2021 #9
So glad to know that you have power, at least for now. Continuing vibes for safety and comfort. niyad Feb 2021 #10
Open the taps & cabinet doors..... Historic NY Feb 2021 #11
I emptied (dried out) all the internal pipes before the freeze. Laelth Feb 2021 #16
Good that you did bleed the internal pipes wnylib Feb 2021 #29
Probably several burst pipes all around the park. Laelth Feb 2021 #31
Looks like a lawsuit in the making, wnylib Feb 2021 #32
Impossible. Laelth Feb 2021 #33
Mental revenge then. wnylib Feb 2021 #34
I saw this Snoopy 7 Feb 2021 #56
Yep. Laelth Feb 2021 #57
Good news bdamomma Feb 2021 #12
Good to hear grantcart Feb 2021 #13
Great news gademocrat7 Feb 2021 #14
Hope it helps a little to know TNNurse Feb 2021 #15
It does. Laelth Feb 2021 #17
Wonderful! Alacritous Crier Feb 2021 #18
thank you for letting us know. barbtries Feb 2021 #20
Glad to hear it, I've been thinking of you. CaptainTruth Feb 2021 #21
Great news, Laelth! Stay encouraged! ❤ nt littlemissmartypants Feb 2021 #22
Glad you've had electricity & heat, even if sporadically dlk Feb 2021 #23
Glad you are okay thus far VA_Jill Feb 2021 #24
I'm so happy and relieved to hear this! BobTheSubgenius Feb 2021 #25
PS: BobTheSubgenius Feb 2021 #26
That is very handy info questionseverything Feb 2021 #55
If you're interested, there is some good information available on efficacy. BobTheSubgenius Feb 2021 #58
The best part is most houses would have tp and alcohol (for wound cleaning) questionseverything Feb 2021 #59
So glad you got power back. Stay strong as the light is at the end of the tunnel. nt iluvtennis Feb 2021 #28
Power, internet, and Rush died. Things are looking up! Nevilledog Feb 2021 #30
Very glad and relieved for you. Hopefully you'll have water in a short time. Fla Dem Feb 2021 #35
The collective power of positive thought from DUers Aussie105 Feb 2021 #36
Thanks for the update, Laelth. May the water gods be on your side soon. KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2021 #37
Sounds like you're through the worst of it JudyM Feb 2021 #38
Great to hear. SergeStorms Feb 2021 #39
Just be careful of carbon monoxide in the van onlyadream Feb 2021 #40
Happy things are getting better. Staying positive. Jay25 Feb 2021 #41
I'm very happy for you! Maraya1969 Feb 2021 #43
Crack those faucets open just a bit bucolic_frolic Feb 2021 #44
There's no running water at all. Laelth Feb 2021 #45
If I'm not mistaken, ice continues to swell as it gets colder, more solid. bucolic_frolic Feb 2021 #46
Gotcha. Makes sense. Thanks. n/t Laelth Feb 2021 #51
Looks like you no longer need this soldierant Feb 2021 #47
Hillary Clinton posted some resources mzmolly Feb 2021 #48
Maybe you should go ahead and line up a plumber? trof Feb 2021 #49
So glad stage left Feb 2021 #50
Great to hear! You are a survivor! yardwork Feb 2021 #52
That's great to hear ailsagirl Feb 2021 #53
God bless. Joinfortmill Feb 2021 #54
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»This is bad. UPDATE 02-17...»Reply #8