Suitable pipe for freezing locations

Discussion in 'Plumbers' Talk' started by Moses, Dec 10, 2016.

  1. Moses

    Moses Member

    Can anyone please guide me as to the correct pipe for freezing locations.

    Can the blue under ground pipe be wall mounted in an unheated detached garage or will PEX white heating pipe be suitable for this location.

    What are ur views, and is there a correct pipe type for this location.
     
  2. CGN

    CGN Screwfix Select

    Any pipe can freeze, but the blue stuff is probably the toughest...
     
  3. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Could lag it & box it in as well.

    What is pipe use for, & I know it's water...:rolleyes: outside tap, house feed?
     
    Joe95 and Deleted member 33931 like this.
  4. Plastic pipe in general is better insulated so will give longer protection. Then, when the water inside does freeze, it will still (usually) have enough flexibility so's it won't actually burst.

    The more extra insulation you add the better. That way the 'heat' (even if it's cold ~6oC mains water) in the actual water flowing through will remain above freezing until the next time it flows.

    Usually.
     
  5. Moses

    Moses Member

    We have had the lead water main leak from the street to the kitchen somewhere under the garage.

    The plumber has replaced the underground part from street to the garage entrance with the blue pipe, and now he wants to run the Rest on the Wall surface in the garage with PEX white 15mm pipe.

    Would the internal part on the wall be better with 25mm blue pipe with respect to freezing or PEX be better.
     
  6. Moses

    Moses Member

    Which plastic pipe?
     
  7. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Blue mdpe is harder wearing, could drop down to 20mm instead of 25mm.

    How long internal run, is kitchen other side of garage wall, plumber running pipe through/into garage for stopcock in garage or in kitchen.
     
  8. Moses

    Moses Member

    From just inside the garage the pipe on the wall goes up 2m and along the top of the wall 8m and then down again 2m and then through the wall In to the kitchen. So a total of about 12m.
     
  9. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Make more sense to cut a channel in garage floor for pipe, would only need to be around 70mm deep for 20mm pipe.
     
    Joe95 likes this.
  10. Moses

    Moses Member

    Is the pipe more likely to freeze in shallow ground?

    The plumber wants to take the easiest route.
     
  11. diymostthings

    diymostthings Well-Known Member

    Dont forget the fittings are weak/vulnerable points in frost...
     
  12. nigel willson

    nigel willson Screwfix Select

    Pipes don't freeze, only the contents. You could insulate and fit trace heating.
     
  13. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    what did he quote for, you agree to: seems to me a shortcut. 15mm incoming main? could restrict flow. How will he earth bond the stop tap in that location? probably a huge earth lead run?
    Pay to have the job done properly, mdpe underground to where you need it then 22mm
     
    KIAB likes this.
  14. FatHands

    FatHands Well-Known Member

    He won't have to bond it Jon if the incomer is plastic
     
  15. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Would be a lot better if your plumber ran the blue pipe around outside of house to kitchen, laid in a new trench.
     
  16. kiaora

    kiaora Guest

    Hi
    If there's no alternative, the trick is, make sure the plumber fits Munson ring pipe clips, that allow thick, armaflex waterproof type insulation.

    I would suggest 25mm blue poly pipe,
    Regards
    Peter
     
  17. Mr Rusty

    Mr Rusty Screwfix Select

    When we moved in to our house there was copper in the garage inside ply boxing filled with rockwool. In the fierce winters we had a couple of years back burst in 2-3 places. I fitted ordinary white plastic BUT I also fitted trace heating. This came as a kit with a 13A plug on one end, a frost stat and a long length of heating wire. 3 or so years later it still kicks in reliably when its very cold. Insulation will slow down freezing, but will not stop it. An outside above-ground pipe chilled to below freezing for long enough will eventually freeze no matter how much insulation is on it.
     
    kiaora and Joe95 like this.
  18. Joe95

    Joe95 Screwfix Select

    Many shrug off the trace heating with its associated cost, but it does work very well. Although its usually used on water pipes, i have also seen it on condense pipes.
     
    kiaora likes this.

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