Jim, I can't answer you question, other than to say I've had outdoor plastic
pipes freeze in pretty spectacular ways. My father-in-law had a little hand
pump he used to blow out the lines at his cottage for the winter. When I put
in an outside line at my cottage (MI), I installed a Schreider (Tire) valve.
I have a small, portable air tank I use to blow out the lines for winter.
Sure beats my father-in-laws hand pump and only takes a couple of minutes.
If you could find a strategic spot to blow out the lines, you could do it
fairly quickly.
Brian
kennedybc@comcast.net
> From: Jim Juhas <james.f.juhas@snet.net>
> Reply-To: Jim Juhas <james.f.juhas@snet.net>
> Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 09:12:20 -0500
> To: Shop Talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Seasonal Cottage Plumbing
>
>
> I have a 3-season cottage in Northwestern Connecticut
> (Bethlehem) where I experience freezing problems with the
> plumbing, due to my desire to extend the season as much as I
> can. Ultimately, I plan to replace the entire system to
> permit easy draining so that I can use it on a winter
> weekend simply by charging it up and releasing it when I
> leave. Looking under the house now reveals pipes that sag
> and dip, meaning that low points always will tend to hold
> some last bit of water. So, I know that careful attention
> to the pitch will help considerably.
>
> But, what is the best suggestion for materials to withstand
> a light freeze? I know there are two grades of copper pipe,
> which I presently use, and for replacements as things needed
> fixing, I've gone with the heavier stuff. What I'm curious
> about is whether the plastic systems are more durable for
> this sort of thing. I interpret from what I read at the
> stores that plastic is now suitable for hot and cold potable
> systems, so I expect it is okay to use. But is it as
> durable? And if I go with heated pipes with the pipe wrap
> products, will they be compatible?
>
> Thanks.
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