Worried about winter coming

wease · 08-30-2007, 08:44 AM

I'm in the middle of a large 2500 square foot remodel. The top floor of my house is completely gutted and I'm now framing walls, plumbing, and doing electrical. Also replacing windows and some other things that need to get done before drywall.

Obviously, I need to get to drywall so I can blow insulation in the attic. I don't want the water pipes to freeze upstairs so I'm not sure how long I'll be able to go without insulation. The lower level will be heated and I will be able to turn on vents upstairs. I'm thinking I may not have drywall on until the middle of November. It will get down below freezing well before then. Any tips for getting through this?

dcd22 · 08-30-2007, 09:15 AM

Few quick thought's I had initially are wrap/stuff insulation around the pipe's or if not being used, install a shut off valve on the heated fist floor and turn them off (supply to the 2nd floor) If they are empty, they will not freeze.

Good luck with the remodel!

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 08-30-2007, 08:24 PM

Below freezing well before November? Where the heck do you live? The North Pole?

wease · 08-30-2007, 08:40 PM

Where do I live? Minnesota.

Yep, it has snowed here in September. Belive it or not, you don't need to live at the North Pole to get freezing temps before November. I'm positive we will as we usually do.

Back in 1991, we had 2 feet of snow on Halloween.

Now, any tips?

Marlin · 08-31-2007, 08:13 PM

To start insulate the pipes. You then have two options. The easiest is to heat the area and keep is above freezing. Your wallet will not like it when you get the oil/gas bill though.
Your other option, and what I would do is to install shutoff valves and drain valves at the lowest point you can access (preferable the basement) on the pipes running to the uninsulated areas. Then drain the water down. You can also use a pump to be sure you suck all the water out. Even doing that though their is a chance of getting a leak. It's an easy repair if you do get one though.
If you can't install valves like that without shutting down your heat I don't know what to tell you except keep the area above freezing.

08-30-2007, 08:44 AM	#1
wease Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 135	Worried about winter coming I'm in the middle of a large 2500 square foot remodel. The top floor of my house is completely gutted and I'm now framing walls, plumbing, and doing electrical. Also replacing windows and some other things that need to get done before drywall. Obviously, I need to get to drywall so I can blow insulation in the attic. I don't want the water pipes to freeze upstairs so I'm not sure how long I'll be able to go without insulation. The lower level will be heated and I will be able to turn on vents upstairs. I'm thinking I may not have drywall on until the middle of November. It will get down below freezing well before then. Any tips for getting through this?

08-30-2007, 09:15 AM	#2
dcd22 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 178	Worried about winter coming Few quick thought's I had initially are wrap/stuff insulation around the pipe's or if not being used, install a shut off valve on the heated fist floor and turn them off (supply to the 2nd floor) If they are empty, they will not freeze. Good luck with the remodel!

08-30-2007, 08:24 PM	#3
AtlanticWBConst. Lic. Builder/GC/Remodeler Join Date: May 2006 Location: New England Posts: 7,554	Worried about winter coming Below freezing well before November? Where the heck do you live? The North Pole? __________________ - Build Well -

08-30-2007, 08:40 PM	#4
wease Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 135	Worried about winter coming Where do I live? Minnesota. Yep, it has snowed here in September. Belive it or not, you don't need to live at the North Pole to get freezing temps before November. I'm positive we will as we usually do. Back in 1991, we had 2 feet of snow on Halloween. Now, any tips?

08-31-2007, 08:13 PM	#5
Marlin Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 647	Worried about winter coming To start insulate the pipes. You then have two options. The easiest is to heat the area and keep is above freezing. Your wallet will not like it when you get the oil/gas bill though. Your other option, and what I would do is to install shutoff valves and drain valves at the lowest point you can access (preferable the basement) on the pipes running to the uninsulated areas. Then drain the water down. You can also use a pump to be sure you suck all the water out. Even doing that though their is a chance of getting a leak. It's an easy repair if you do get one though. If you can't install valves like that without shutting down your heat I don't know what to tell you except keep the area above freezing. Last edited by Marlin; 09-01-2007 at 04:10 PM.

Worried about winter coming