How to keep these pipes from freezing?
Jan 18, 2024 5:09:28 GMT
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Post by rwillis352 on Jan 18, 2024 5:09:28 GMT
Hello Everyone!
I have a problem with two (hot and cold) 1/2" copper water supply pipes freezing easily. They run from the cement slab on the first floor up thru an exterior wall to the kitchen sink (also on an exterior wall) on the second floor. The space between the first and second floor has no insulation and gets pretty close to the outside temperature. The exterior wall itself is insulated but it is only framed with 2"x4" lumber and the outside is brick. When the temperature drops below freezing both the hot and cold line will quickly freeze unless the faucet is dripped. Being a single handle faucet makes it very difficult to get both sides to drip consistently and I've already had the hot water side freeze after a few hours because only the cold side was dripping. The kitchen sink faucet is the furthest fixture from the water heater and is the terminal fixture on the line. I'm hoping to find a way to post pictures here since the written explanation is difficult to follow and understand.
What can I do to keep these pipes from freezing? They already had foam insulation around them and that wasn't enough. Should I replace the copper with PEX to at least hopefully prevent bursting if it freezes again and I don't catch it in time to thaw it out? Plumbing is not my forte and my experience is minimal.
Maybe this will work for photos:
photos.app.goo.gl/ir2JpRYAKZh8w9xZ9
I have a problem with two (hot and cold) 1/2" copper water supply pipes freezing easily. They run from the cement slab on the first floor up thru an exterior wall to the kitchen sink (also on an exterior wall) on the second floor. The space between the first and second floor has no insulation and gets pretty close to the outside temperature. The exterior wall itself is insulated but it is only framed with 2"x4" lumber and the outside is brick. When the temperature drops below freezing both the hot and cold line will quickly freeze unless the faucet is dripped. Being a single handle faucet makes it very difficult to get both sides to drip consistently and I've already had the hot water side freeze after a few hours because only the cold side was dripping. The kitchen sink faucet is the furthest fixture from the water heater and is the terminal fixture on the line. I'm hoping to find a way to post pictures here since the written explanation is difficult to follow and understand.
What can I do to keep these pipes from freezing? They already had foam insulation around them and that wasn't enough. Should I replace the copper with PEX to at least hopefully prevent bursting if it freezes again and I don't catch it in time to thaw it out? Plumbing is not my forte and my experience is minimal.
Maybe this will work for photos:
photos.app.goo.gl/ir2JpRYAKZh8w9xZ9
