Aaand the pipes are frozen

[pitterwoo]

It's been bitter cold this week with nothing above freezing and now the drain pipe has frozen.  So I can't do dishes or take a bath, both of which I wanted to do tonight.  

womp womp

[Deleted]

That's a bummer. IT sucks big time. I've been there too.

However, you made laugh. Bitter cold and not above freezing don't compute in the same sentence around here. It was 10 degrees here today with a -10 windchill. It was actually -20 here on Monday. Just to make you feel better.

[pitterwoo]

hahaha, good point dairy! It was like 20 today, it will be in the teens overnight. Feels bitter to me.

The stupid drain pipe runs through the outside wall, no insulation so not even cracking freezing during the day all week was a no go- literally.

[Deleted]

Oh my. I'm sorry. I didn't know that could happen. Does that mean it has/will burst? I have colleagues in the mid-West, and we're really ribbing them on the conference calls these days. There's one guy who recently moved to our MN office in order to be able to buy a house. We're particularly hard on him. We're mean! But it's pretty much the only area we've got it better. Our houses may be tiny and unaffordable, our taxes may be sky high, our governments may not function, but dammit, we've got nice weather.

[emoflamingo]

Oh man, that sucks.

Which reminds me, I need to make sure H texted his friend to remind him about the pipes lol.

[pitterwoo]

yeah, that's mean Juno. Being cold sucks, I can see why people want to live in CA and put up with a lot to do so.

Luckily it's just a drain pipe, so freezing shouldn't burst it, just stop it from draining. It's happened 2 or 3 other times, but not for a couple years. It will be getting moved when we rip out the kitchen...so hopefully never another winter with it in the brick wall.

[Deleted]

Oh good. It did seem like poor design to me that this was even a possibility. But what do I know about "weather"? I hope it unfreezes for you soon!

[TBM]

I hope that it thaws soon, and I am sorry that you are cold.


I'm with Juno on the "weather" lack of familiarity. Icy windshields are the worst we've dealt with, and that was worse in AZ than here.

[kitty]

=( It's supposed to warm up in a couple of days, right?

[pitterwoo]

Jan 25, 2013 21:09:02 GMT -5 kitty said:

=( It's supposed to warm up in a couple of days, right?

yep, tomorrow's the last cold day.  then we get 40s and 50s.  that will feel so good.

[boiler717]

Oh that really stinks!

[sailorgray]

Pitter - where do you live? I am outside of Philly and this cold is ridiculous. You can't do anything, but sit around and dream of summer.

I am sorry about your pipe. Too much bad comes with the cold!

[pitterwoo]

sailorgray, I'm on the other side of the state now but grew up over that way. I think we've been having the same weather. Stay warm! It's going to get better this week.

We got a few inches of snow last night and I secretly enjoy it, especially on a day when I don't have to go drive in it.

As for the pipe, H hacked through the back of the kitchen cabinet and has been messing with part of it that's in the basement to warm it and is making some progress.

[finally]

So sorry to hear that but thanks for posting since I didn't even think about that for ours.  I'm heading down to the basement now to make sure we are not having a similar problem!

[mrspez07]

Jan 25, 2013 20:06:25 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

yeah, that's mean Juno. Being cold sucks, I can see why people want to live in CA and put up with a lot to do so.

Luckily it's just a drain pipe, so freezing shouldn't burst it, just stop it from draining. It's happened 2 or 3 other times, but not for a couple years. It will be getting moved when we rip out the kitchen...so hopefully never another winter with it in the brick wall.

Ours was between the brick wall and the back of the cabinet and after the last cold week here a few weeks ago cracked enough to start dripping into the basement. Of course it was somewhere between where it went into the wall and where it came out in the basement ceiling. Just a heads up, drain pipes can split.

[pitterwoo]

mrspez07 that sucks! thanks for the heads up. sheesh. Hope you didn't get too much of a mess and expense from that.

Between heating the area and disconnecting part of the pipe and hogging out the frozen slush with a coat hanger-drill contraption we are flowing again. I'm just making sure to keep running hot water.

[FoxInFiji]

As long as you have the area cut open can you add insulation so this isn't an issue later? I know I've said this before but I can't even fathom owning a house without insulation. And drain pipes in exterior walls...eek!

[pitterwoo]

Jan 26, 2013 21:22:58 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

As long as you have the area cut open can you add insulation so this isn't an issue later? I know I've said this before but I can't even fathom owning a house without insulation. And drain pipes in exterior walls...eek!

Nope, can't.  The pipe runs right against the exterior for a bit where the problem is.  Just the width of a brick or maybe 2 is all that separates this pipe from the outside.  When we do the kitchen we'll move the pipe and we will be studding in the walls and insulating like we're doing in the upstairs bedrooms now.  

We had NO idea that the walls were just masonry with no insulation and no studs to be able to add insulation.  We found out quickly though.  The first month in this house was in the winter.

I feel very torn with this house some days wanting to rescue it and make everything right and other days just wanting to get out so it's all someone else's problem. 

[FoxInFiji]

Jan 26, 2013 23:43:04 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

Jan 26, 2013 21:22:58 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

As long as you have the area cut open can you add insulation so this isn't an issue later? I know I've said this before but I can't even fathom owning a house without insulation. And drain pipes in exterior walls...eek!

Nope, can't.  The pipe runs right against the exterior for a bit where the problem is.  Just the width of a brick or maybe 2 is all that separates this pipe from the outside.  When we do the kitchen we'll move the pipe and we will be studding in the walls and insulating like we're doing in the upstairs bedrooms now.  

We had NO idea that the walls were just masonry with no insulation and no studs to be able to add insulation.  We found out quickly though.  The first month in this house was in the winter.

I feel very torn with this house some days wanting to rescue it and make everything right and other days just wanting to get out so it's all someone else's problem. 

Ah I see.  Bummer.  How often does this happen?  I think I remember you having this issue last year as well right?  If it's a big issue for you you could always put in some heat tape temporarily until you can get to the kitchen remodel.  That's what we use when we have to put a pipe in an unconditioned space to keep it from freezing.  It's just an electric circuit that has a temperature sensor (though I think you can get manual as well) and it keeps the pipe above freezing.  It might cost less than running the hot water continuously if you have to pay for water or have to do this often.