Thread: Freeze Proof Plumbing Supply Lines??

Maybe I am behind and not really current on new developments in the plumbing industry, but today I was doing an inspection for a Realtor from Arizona who said he had been selling homes for 30 years. He was making an offer on a home in Oklahoma that I inspected for him today. He followed me around all through the inspection, which was okay, I didn't really mind... it was his dime. After the inspection, we met at the front of the home and I began covering the deficiencies I had found during the inspection. I mentioned a Frost Free Hydrant located on the back of the property that had no water supply, but I could not locate the shut off for it, so I suggested he ask the Seller about the water supply. Then he asked me what I knew about Freeze Free Plumbing Pipe..

I said, well as long as your supply lines are deep enough and below the frost line, you shouldn't have any problem. He said, No, I mean Freeze Free Plumbing Pipe like the ones we have in Arizona. You can lay it on top of the ground and it won't freeze.

Is he daft or am I? I have never heard of this, have any of you?

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You see them all over the place in New Mexico too.

Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky

You see them all over the place in New Mexico too.

Steven, I can't tell when you're serious and when you're not. If you are, do you have a link to this so I can read up? I seriously have never heard of Freeze Proof Plumbing. This may just be a feature for arid climates like Arizona and New Mexico, or it may be a figment of his imagination. Either way, I would like to know for sure in case I am faced with this question again.

I know of pipe that will freeze and not break.

I know of heat tape and cables that are used with pipe.

I do not know of a pipe, by it self, that will not freeze. Is it a Mother Ship product?

So is the agent referring to the use of : http://s3.pexsupply.com/manuals/1255..._PROD_FILE.pdf

Dub, I thought you were pulling my leg. I guess not.

Don't you think any pipe laid on the ground in Arizona will not freeze? Or, am I wrong about the climate.

When I was very young, and we were moving to El Paso from NY, my older brother sold me his sled.

In short, no such stuff. I'd use it in a minute if it existed. I have a vulnerable area in my mother in law apartment that somehow freezes every winter, despite several efforts by me to correct this problem. But the plumbing is WIRSBO and has never broken. I have another idea that I'll try for next winter to finally end this problem.

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

I have another idea that I'll try for next winter to finally end this problem.

Lon,

It's called 'heat tape' and it keeps the pipe from freezing ...

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Lon,

It's called 'heat tape' and it keeps the pipe from freezing ...

LOL.......oh yeah.............

In my circumstance, it is very difficult to access some of the plumbing with heat tape, so I'm trying to condition the space.

On a side note, I have a subsurface drain under my driveway that freezes up during the winter and won't drain the roof runoff causing an ice skating rink on my driveway every winter. I am thinking about snaking heat tape through that drain, but it will be immersed in the water, so I haven't done it yet.

We have freeze proof garden hoses here. People just leave them laying out all year round.
They freeze, but then they thaw out again two days later.

Same thing in Arizona. They get frost, but they just don't like to admit it.

Well... I feel rather foolish now for even posting this, but the guy was so matter of fact and adamant on the subject, I thought, well, maybe there is such a thing that has been developed and I just haven't heard of it. Oh well, when all else fails.... resort to good 'ol Common Sense.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Dub,
I spent years sending helpers to the truck looking for the "wood stretcher", it was all about how you said it.


The agent may have been serious about what he did not know. Someone told him and he just then parroted the concept. Or he just had no clue but it sounded good...


Remember who you were dealing with.

Well, he could have meant freeze free heat tape, but just left out the heat tape part, or missed it, such as this stuff:

Easy Heat® Freeze Free® 15ft Self-Regulating Pipe Heating System (10815) - Heat Tape & Accessories - Ace Hardware

[QUOTE=Garry Sorrells;226624]Dub,
I spent years sending helpers to the truck looking for the "wood stretcher", it was all about how you said it.


Where can I get one of these "wood stretchers"... sounds like something I should be carrying in my bag! LOL

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

In short, no such stuff. I'd use it in a minute if it existed. I have a vulnerable area in my mother in law apartment that somehow freezes every winter, despite several efforts by me to correct this problem. But the plumbing is WIRSBO and has never broken. I have another idea that I'll try for next winter to finally end this problem.

I've seen plenty of pipes that will not freeze....Oh, I guess you mean with water in them.

[QUOTE=Dub Smith;226636]

Originally Posted by Garry Sorrells

Dub,
I spent years sending helpers to the truck looking for the "wood stretcher", it was all about how you said it.


Where can I get one of these "wood stretchers"... sounds like something I should be carrying in my bag! LOL

Just stay up and watch the infomercials between 2 and 4 AM. May also include a Kinzu Knife with purchase. Just stay up and keep watching. But you need to watch every night until you see it. Persistence will pay off.

I have a collection of wood stretchers. They are still made in Texas. Take your pick.

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

Why did I waste 2 minutes reading all these posts. Oh well it was comical.

I think this thread addressed the issue. Anyway, all work and no play make for a very boring day. Hey, even Home Inspectors need a bit of levity in there lives.

Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky

I have a collection of wood stretchers. They are still made in Texas. Take your pick.

Those only work on wood donuts not on 2x8x15.

In the White North, a wood stretcher is a plank to which you could nail a beaver pelt, after nailing the beaver, that is.

Steven, what is the purpose of those wood stretchers youse collect? Never seen them.

They beez for stretchin your Stetson.

Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky

They beez for stretchin your Stetson.

For swelled heads ?

Originally Posted by Garry Sorrells

For swelled heads ?

Hey that's pretty good. I imagine it would be good for that too.
Actually, hats tend to shrink, so they are meant to keep your hats in shape from sweat shrinkage. Custom hats can be costly.

Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky

Dub, I thought you were pulling my leg. I guess not.

Don't you think any pipe laid on the ground in Arizona will not freeze? Or, am I wrong about the climate.

When I was very young, and we were moving to El Paso from NY, my older brother sold me his sled.

Actually the original poster has hit on to something. I recently spoke to the maker of Freeze Proof Piping and he told me in a phone conversation that the guarantee was null and void unless you use powdered water. Wow, I learn something every day. Take care guys.

Loren Sanders Sr., retired Nuclear Drain Surgeon (Plumber at San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station for 20 years.)

[QUOTE=
Loren Sanders Sr., retired Nuclear Drain Surgeon (Plumber at San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station for 20 years.)[/QUOTE]

20 years as a nuc u lar drain "surgeon"!!! Egaeds man, do you glow in the dark?

Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky

20 years as a nuc u lar drain "surgeon"!!! Egaeds man, do you glow in the dark?

Just parts of me do....so my wife says.