[World-Citizen]

For extreme cold temperatures, has anyone tried to Plumb hot water through cold water lines to prevent freezing? (And a trickle of water flow of course) Other ideas to stop freezing without using heating tape? (I'm worried about fire)

 

[Randy Bush]

Are your water lines running in an unheated area of your house.

 

[de-nagorg]

We need information, before we can advise you what to do.

Where are these pipes, kind of space, air leaks, available power supply, and many other factors.



ED

 

[mark sr]

I have a length of heat tape where my water line first enters my crawlspace that has been in service for 25+ yrs - no issues. In the past I have had heat tape burn up but never had any catch on fire.

When/where feasible insulation is best.

 

[u2slow]

My floor insulation was never good, and was constantly busting into it for plumbing and electrical work. I decided it made more sense to tighten up the crawlspace perimeter and insulate it. I have enough heat from my woodstove, and air leakage with forced-air ducting that the crawlspace stays above freezing.

 

[House Designer]

If you have an unvented, insulated crawlspace, it would be advisable to install a couple of heat registers down there. You could also install a remote thermometer to alert you when the crawlspace temperature is approaching freezing,

 

[HotRodx10]

Just leave the hot and cold water running. Even cold water lines won't freeze if there's water running through them.

 

[de-nagorg]

Just leave the hot and cold water running. Even cold water lines won't freeze if there's water running through them.

A steady drip is all it takes, don't waste too much water .


ED

 

[lenaitch]

For extreme cold temperatures, has anyone tried to Plumb hot water through cold water lines to prevent freezing? (And a trickle of water flow of course) Other ideas to stop freezing without using heating tape? (I'm worried about fire)

You mean like co-axially? I don't know how you would handle a watertight transition. As others have mentioned, insulation and pipe location is key.

 

[YaterSpoon]

A steady drip is all it takes, don't waste too much water .


ED

Yup, and it's not the ice that causes the breaks, but the pressure rise from ice formation. So cracking a spigot does wonders by keeping the pressure down, even if it freezes.