I've spoken to several different plumbers regarding the best way to manage the titled problem.
My master bathroom sits above my garage and when the temperature outside remains below freezing for 2 consecutive days, the pipes to the shower head freeze. I have no idea what kind of insulation may be behind the sheetrock and if any pipes run up along the outer walls.
What is the best to solve this? Rip open the sheet rock and directly insulate all pipes and place fiberglass insulation in the ceiling? Or simply turn on a space saver heater in the garage during the really cold days?
Where are you located?
How old is the house
Is the garage insulated & sheetrocked ?
Do you know if there is any isulation in the walls & floors - colors ?
You might be able to see by taking a faceplate(s) off & looking
I'd open up from the garage & take a look
But reseal the hole - fire hazard if left open
Hi the house is a new construction, the garage is sheetrocked, but i don't know if there is insulation behind it. I like the idea of opening a faceplate and looking.
Oh, and I live on Long Island
thanks
I'm willing to bet that you have a section of pipe directly exposed, rather than just being in the unheated garage. I'm speaking of personal experience, in one the places that I used to live. Where the pipes of both, the Hot and Cold water would freeze early in the season. When I checked it out I found that a section (of about 4ft.) was directly exposed to the elements. I cut the drywall from the inside to reach the exposed part and patched in a piece of drywall. Behind it I stuck in insulation and repatched. The freezing problem was history. (No matter what) Don't Drink and Drive, Ever!!!
I would guess it is somehow being exposed to a draft, which will catch a pipe quickly. Here in Maine, my parents have a pipe that will catch, but only if it is below zero and the wind is blowing. The pipe is in a cellar that is above freezing, but fairly close to a north wall. The key is to seal up any drafts, we have actually sealed and insulated the outside of the wall in that area.
I think you need to open it up enough so you can see where the drafts are getting in and seal them.
Put insulation between the pipe and the exterior wall or attic or garage but leave a three inch wide strip of space empty between the pipe and the interior wall or floor or ceiling (following the path of the pipe).
I've tried that in the past. But, as you say, it's only a temporary measure. It's better confronting the problem and fixing it! (No matter what) Don't Drink and Dive, Ever!!!
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