Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The DU Lounge
In reply to the discussion: This is bad. UPDATE 02-17-21 [View all]Tommymac
(7,263 posts)8. Make sure you leave a faucet or two open.
Frozen pipes are bad but you can also alleviate some pain by putting an old fashioned 100 watt light very near the pipe where it comes into the house. As long as you have power this will help thaw them.
Another trick is to sink a piece of iron rebar into the ground so it makes contact with the buried pipes in your yard, then attaching a car battery to it via jumper cables. The current will transfer to the copper or iron pipes and help thaw them underground.
Of coarse if the underground pipes are plastic then this is not going to work that well.
Good luck.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
59 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
Be careful with rebar. You might have to pound it hard, to get through frozen earth. ...
JustABozoOnThisBus
Feb 2021
#42
So glad to know that you have power, at least for now. Continuing vibes for safety and comfort.
niyad
Feb 2021
#10
If you're interested, there is some good information available on efficacy.
BobTheSubgenius
Feb 2021
#58
The best part is most houses would have tp and alcohol (for wound cleaning)
questionseverything
Feb 2021
#59
So glad you got power back. Stay strong as the light is at the end of the tunnel. nt
iluvtennis
Feb 2021
#28
If I'm not mistaken, ice continues to swell as it gets colder, more solid.
bucolic_frolic
Feb 2021
#46