Defrosting water and sewer pipes. How to defrost a plastic pipe - several effective methods How to defrost water in plastic pipes

Low temperatures in winter cause problems with the water supply at home. If you approach the laying of water pipes illiterately, then in winter the question of whether the water in a private house is frozen - what to do will arise quite often. Moreover, there are always situations related to highway accidents. This is a rupture of a pipe, if it is steel, a rupture of shut-off valves. And if this problem can be dealt with quickly in the summer minimal costs, then in winter everything becomes more complicated. Therefore, it is very important to first carry out correct installation. And there is only one condition here - insulate the pipelines or lay them below the freezing level of the soil.

Home water pipe froze

How to defrost pipes

It should be noted that the water supply network consists of two sections: external (external), which is most often underground, and internal. As for the latter, the main part of the route is laid inside heated premises, so the question of whether the water in a private house is frozen - what to do is not appropriate here. But partially indoor plumbing also passes through unheated rooms. For example, in the basement and attic. This is where pipes can freeze. How to defrost them?

There are several options. Let's take into account that plastic pipes were laid inside the house.

You can use hot water for defrosting. To do this, first wrap the pipe with a rag, and only then pour boiling water on it. The process may take several hours, everything will depend on the length of the frozen area.

Defrosting hot water
You can use a hair dryer (construction or household). Very effective option, but requiring a certain approach to the process itself. The whole point is, especially for a hair dryer, that the air comes out of the device with enough high temperature which can melt plastic. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately set the distance from the hair dryer nozzle to the surface of the pipe.
We use a hair dryer
For defrosting, you can use a heating cable that fits into an electric floor heating system or a special cable for plumbing systems. They wrap it around a frozen section of the track and plug it into an outlet. This is the fastest option. Typically, this way you can defrost a fairly long water supply in 2-3 hours.

Attention! Before defrosting water in a private home, it is recommended that all shut-off valves on the highway, open completely. Water from defrosting should move freely through the pipeline and flow out of the taps.

Defrosting underground pipes

It is clear that water pipes located in the ground are more difficult to defrost. The simplest of all options is to dig out the place where they are laid, get to the route and use one of the methods described above. But there are several problems here.

Digging frozen ground is not easy. This will take a lot of time, effort and labor. In any case, the home owner cannot do this on his own.
There is always a possibility that when digging a trench you can damage a plastic pipe. And this is an additional problem that will have to be solved immediately.

Therefore, it is better to use alternative options. One of effective methods defrosting is using hot water. True, you will have to prepare for this. Firstly, you need a supply of water itself that needs to be heated. The easiest way to do this without much expense is to install a barrel under which to light a fire. Secondly, it is necessary to somehow organize the supply of water inside the plumbing system. To do this, it is best to install a small electric pump. It’s even better if you pour hot water into a hose with a smaller diameter than the route, which will need to be pushed inside the pipeline.

Defrosting a water pipe with hot water

That is, the hose is pushed to the ice plug, then hot water is supplied to it by a pump. It quickly melts the ice, and the hose must be advanced further as the route defrosts. As soon as water flows from the tap with high pressure, that’s it – the ice plug has melted. It should be noted that this option for defrosting the water supply is one of the most effective. True, you prepare for it longer than you carry out the process itself.

We use electricity

Another option that answers the question of how to heat water in a private house. Electricity is used for this. It must be noted right away that the use electric current– it’s always a dangerous business. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this option for defrosting the water supply. But, as an alternative, you need to know it.

To do this, use a regular two-core wire, the wires of which must be separated and exposed to a length of 20 cm, that is, freed from insulation. The exposed wire is twisted to a size of 8-10 cm.

Attention! Do not allow both exposed wires to connect to each other. This will lead to short circuit, therefore, it is necessary to install a jumper between them, preferably a wooden one. Its size should be smaller than the diameter of the water pipe.

Now the prepared two-core wire is pushed into the pipeline until the ice plug. After which it is connected to a 220 volt power supply. The water inside the pipe begins to boil and defrost the ice. Essentially, the forked wire acts as a heating element. As it defrosts, it will need to be moved inside.

We use steam

And a few more alternative options, which use steam. It should be noted that they are used infrequently only because installations that produce steam are not cheap.

Steam generator

Using a steam generator. Its hose is inserted into the pipeline, where steam is pumped.
Using an autoclave. This is an installation that works by boiling water. The process itself is exactly the same as in the case of a steam generator. That is, a hose connected to an autoclave is inserted into the water pipe, through which steam from boiling water enters the route.
Using a hydrodynamic machine. This is professional equipment, which is based on the process of heating water and supplying it under pressure inside the water supply line.

All three options are very effective. If the water entrance to the house or the entire route is frozen, then with their help you can warm up the pipes in a few minutes.

So, the answer to the question was given: the water in the house froze - what to do? The proposed technologies include very simple methods that do not require large expenses; there are quite serious options based on the use of special equipment. If the problem is not very big, then you can get by with small means. If everything is very complicated, then it is better to call specialists. They will not only solve the defrosting problem, but will also help prevent subsequent troubles.

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A water pipeline is a system for supplying water to consumers to provide drinking water and water for technical purposes. An extensive network runs throughout the entire settlement and provides the necessary outlets for supplying water to private, apartment buildings and industrial facilities.

Rice. 1. water supply system

Plastic water pipe system

Water pipelines are divided into 2 types:

external;
internal.

Internal systems run inside residential and industrial type. External ones pass outside: underground and above it.

External water pipes are often exposed to external factors. These include winds, sub-zero temperatures, and natural disasters. Sub-zero temperatures cause pipes to freeze. This prevents fluid from flowing through them and makes it difficult to consume.

Types of polymers

Plastic plumbing is made of a polymer material, which is characterized by properties that depend on the type of polymer:

Polyethylene pipes. They are used for external drainage; water flows into them for drinking and household needs of the population.
Polyvinyl chloride pipes. They are characterized by a long service life, use with relatively easy installation and dismantling. After expiration date they must be recycled.
Profiled pipes. Available in combinations of polyethylene and propylene. The advantage of such products is their resistance to high temperatures.
Spiral twisted. They are made on the basis of a profile with hollow walls of polyethylene. A special feature of the application is its purpose for non-pressure flow.

Fig.2 polymer pipes

Advantages of using polymer structures:

high levels of tightness of connections between sections;
resistance to corrosion processes;
ease of installation of water pipes;
low cost;
long period of use;
stable performance in relation to the effects of chemical reagents;
no formation of salt deposits.

Plastic water pipe freezing problem

The basis of all products is polymers, which may be unstable to temperatures. A frequent problem faced by employees of public utilities or owners of private residential buildings, the external water supply becomes frozen.

To prevent such a problem from arising, owners of private houses are advised to anticipate such risks in advance and prevent them. To do this you need:

take into account climatic conditions, type, soil condition;
take into account the specifics of the local highway;
take measures to protect the water supply from low temperatures.

Polymer pipes are subject to damage due to the specifics of the material:

inconsistency of product quality, installation of products intended for internal use, underground;
use occurs without taking into account technical characteristics material;
the use of low-quality elements for connection and fastening;
rigid fastenings that do not meet the requirements;
the location of the water supply in places where the route passes, the load on the ground is increased and has technical features.

Causes of freezing

The main reason that leads to pipeline freezing in winter is improper installation of products. This means that the pipes are not running at sufficient depth. If you lay them above the specified mark, the soil will freeze.

The design of the laying must be made in accordance with the climatic conditions of a particular region. Expertise and analysis of hydraulic work helps to find out the possible laying depth.

There are special cases when laying at the depth specified by specialists is impossible. In this case, heating systems for such gaskets should be provided.

Rice. 3 frozen water tap

The cause of freezing is insufficient pressure in the pipeline. Low speeds lead to ice build-up.

Diameter polymer pipes becomes a factor influencing the formation of a build-up. Too much large diameter promotes freezing due to lack of water flow; too small a diameter leads to interruptions in water supply and also causes freezing.

Checking the integrity of plastic water pipes

To find the place of freezing and defrost it, you need to determine the places where the frozen plastic water pipes are located:

The pipes are inspected. Due to its physical properties, water has the ability to expand when it freezes, so the pipe becomes wider in the place where freezing occurs. The water plug pushes the plastic apart and it increases in size.
This method involves partial dismantling of the pipeline. The area to which there is access is cut, a flexible cable is passed inside and rotated to the point where it rests on the ice plug. In this way, you can defrost a plastic water pipe that is located underground.
The ability to bend pipes along their entire length is not always feasible. If this can be done, cracking will occur where the frozen pipe is found.

Rice. 4 water supply damage

Methods for defrosting polymer pipes carrying water

You can defrost an underground water pipe yourself using several available methods. For this you will need additional equipment, which can be used when low temperatures.

Heating of polymer pipes with a construction hairdryer. The disadvantage of this approach is that plastic does not conduct heat. This means that using such a tool will not bring quick results.
Exposure to hot heat. The pipe is wrapped in rags and poured with boiling water. This method helps warm the water and get rid of ice build-up in the plastic pipe. To do this, water is released through pipes. The pressure is chosen as low as possible.
Start hot water. This internal method defrosting pipes. Find the closest connection point for it, place it in the hole flexible hose and run hot water over it.
Use of a steam generator. A special steam generator sleeve is inserted into the connection point. Steam is supplied from the moment the hose rests on the plug. The feed is carried out slowly, gradually increasing the speed.
Use of electricity. Twists of thick two-core wires are suitable for this method. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the wires are not connected to avoid short circuits. The wires are routed to the location of the traffic jam and the electricity is turned on. Warming up is slow.
Cleaning with hydrodynamic machine. The method involves applying pressure to the area where the product is frozen. As it breaks down, the plug moves and shrinks. The hose with the nozzle moves it further. This technique is effective, but requires investment of money.

Fig.5 hydrodynamic machine

After the work is completed, the next stage begins: inspection and damage assessment. They open the tap in the house, drain about a liter of water, and close the tap. This method allows you to warm up the heating.

Under the connection areas or at the excavation site that has been cleared of soil, wait 20-25 minutes for water to appear. If water appears, this indicates damage to the pipe where the ice plug was removed.

In this case it is necessary:

carry out excavations;
find the location of the damage;
replace the site.

If there is no water after half an hour, this means that the area does not need to be replaced. It is necessary to insulate the pipes, then cover them with soil.

Damaged areas are repaired in winter period taking into account that the main work will be carried out under more favorable weather conditions. Places where the pipe froze and a leak occurred are cut out and replaced with new ones reinforced with special connections or fittings. Welding is often used if conditions allow. After connecting the sections, water is released and the tightness of the connection is checked. If the products have been cleaned of residual water, sand, and foreign objects, and the connections are secured in accordance with the standards, then the water supply system will begin to function properly.

Preventing freezing of water in the water supply

So that the water in plumbing system did not freeze, it is necessary to take measures in advance or carry out repairs existing system in the warm season.

If there is no regular use of the water supply in a private house, then the water is drained and the taps are turned off. The start-up is carried out gradually, increasing the volume of water used.

Builders and utility specialists recommend taking into account some points when designing, installing and using water supply systems:

designers identify freezing levels in a specific region, installation is carried out in accordance with these measurements;
do not lay water pipes near reinforced concrete structures who have more high degree thermal conductivity, thereby absorbing heat;
heat-insulating materials are used for installation in cases where the owners are confident that freezing is quite possible; this may depend on climatic conditions region or the impossibility of laying to a depth of more than 2 m;
for thermal insulation, pieces of foam plastic, mineral wool, expanded clay, vermoculite, and rags are used;
the places where the system enters distribution wells or living quarters are considered the most defenseless, so they are insulated using special cases, the filling of which involves the use of construction-type foam and mineral wool;
water pipes are wrapped with special cables, which are connected to the heating system at low temperatures and strong frosty winds;
where water pipes are most susceptible to freezing, it is recommended to use products with thick walls, with a cross-section of at least 5 mm.

Unlike plastic water pipes, metal structures have more long term services. This is explained by the physical properties of metal water pipes. They are also prone to freezing for several reasons:

use for installation of various products with excellent production times;
the appearance of corrosion inside the pipe;
use of incorrect fasteners, poor quality parts;
the appearance of rust, condensation;
salt-type deposits inside due to physical properties, which increases the risk of ice formation in a weakened area.

Rice. 6 freezing of a metal water pipe

After the end of the season, the following events are carried out:

delete everything heating elements to prevent the system from overheating during the hot season;
inspect the system for damage;
reconstruction is being carried out to prevent freezing in the future.

Competent design and timely implementation repair work will allow you to avoid problems with freezing water in the water supply and lack of water supply.

If a plug has formed inside or outside the water supply, it is necessary to take measures to warm the plastic pipe and provide ways to protect the water supply system in the ground.

Russia is located in a harsh climatic region, so in winter and early spring there is a risk of the water supply and sewerage system defrosting. This is especially true for owners of private houses, because... often systems are laid without carrying out the necessary calculations and measures for insulation and frost protection. In this article we will talk about how to protect pipes from freezing and what to do if the problem cannot be prevented.

If the temperature outside the window drops to zero, that is, to the freezing temperature of water, this does not mean that the water supply will freeze. Not everyone knows, but in winter the water in the pipe freezes at a temperature of -7 degrees. When water pipes freeze, they burst because... When transitioning from a liquid to a solid state, the volume of water increases. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen, especially in metal systems that don't have the ability to stretch.

To prevent water from freezing in pipes and protect them from damage, it is necessary to take care of the heating system in advance or carry out a set of measures to insulate the pipeline.

Some measures to protect the pipeline in winter should be carried out at the stage of laying communications during the construction of a house. What needs to be done to reliable protection pipes from the cold during installation:

Lay the water supply below the freezing level of the soil. In SNiP 2.02.01-83 you can find information on the freezing depth for a specific region and soil type.
Use polyethylene or polypropylene for underground water supply.
. For convenience, insulation made of foil polystyrene foam in the form of tubes, or any other available insulation or insulation methods, is used.
Install an electric heating system. It is installed directly on the water supply under the thermal insulation layer. The system is guaranteed to prevent freezing or allow heating of the water supply in the event that heating is used cyclically and freezing still occurs.

Thermal insulation using a heating cable - reliable way solve the problem of icing even in the most extreme cold.

In private temporary residences, for example country houses, water supply is rarely laid underground and is used mainly in the summer.

To prevent freezing of a structure located above the ground, in winter it is necessary to completely drain the water from it after each use. The second option to avoid defrosting the pipe outside is to leave the tap slightly open so that the water moves. The water in the source (well, borehole) has a temperature of about +5 degrees. As it moves, it gives off some of the heat for heating, so freezing of pipes in such a situation can only occur in severe frost, from -15.

How to defrost an open pipeline

If an open water supply system is frozen, it is not difficult to defrost the pipe, because... there is access to it.

Advice: you need to start heating the water supply immediately after freezing is detected, otherwise the situation only gets worse with each passing hour, especially if the insulation is of poor quality or is completely absent.

To heat frozen plastic lines, you will need a heating cable. It is extremely simple to use, just wrap the water pipe around it and connect the cable to the power source. This option requires additional expenses to purchase a cable. You can cast plastic pipes with hot water, but this option is only effective for small freezing areas, or in mild frosts.

Metal pipes can be heated using an open fire. A portable gas torch, blowtorch or small diesel gun, intended for heating unheated premises. You can combine heating using a burner with the method of crushing ice. Using a burner you can heat all metal system, with the exception of taps. The taps have rubber (plastic) valves, which can deteriorate if the temperature rises sharply and the tap will have to be replaced.

Important: it is forbidden to warm frozen plastic pipes with open fire, because they may melt or even catch fire.

To warm up the tap, it is not necessary to heat it with a burner; just wrap it in a rag and pour boiling water over it. If the tap does not come off after the first time, the operation can be repeated.

To defrost an open one, you can use a hair dryer. It is quite powerful, heats up well and is not capable of melting the material.

Defrosting hidden plastic pipes

Defrosting water in a plastic pipe hidden underground is much more difficult due to the fact that there is no access to it. Heating options that are used for open water pipes are not suitable.

You can quickly defrost a water supply pipe only by heating it from the inside. There are several ways to do this.

Outflow of hot water.
Warming up with a steam generator.
Warming up with an electric device to defrost pipes.
Defrost water pipes using a homemade boiler.

Depending on the situation, the availability of tools and other circumstances, for each method you can use various devices. For example, in order to pour hot water, you can use a thin hose that will go inside the water supply, or you can simply pour hot water from a pear.

To defrost HDPE pipes in the ground, you can use a cable heating system, but only if it was installed at the stage of laying the water supply. If cable heating elements are not installed, then this method is too labor-intensive and not always possible.

Now let's look at heating options that can be used if an HDPE pipe located underground is frozen.

Warming up with a steam generator

Based on the name, you can understand that the steam generator is designed to produce steam. It sounds complicated, but in reality everything is much simpler. But not everyone has a steam generator. At home, in the country, you can use a pressure cooker instead. Defrosting a pipe with a pressure cooker is no more difficult than pouring hot water on it. To carry out the work you will need:

pressure cooker;
a hose with a diameter smaller than a polyethylene water pipe;
mobile electric or gas stove.

The process itself is similar to draining a water pipe with hot water, only steam is used instead. Water is poured into the pressure cooker and heated to a boil. One end of the hose is hermetically connected to the valve for releasing excess steam in the lid of the pressure cooker, the other is inserted into the line. Thus, steam from the pressure cooker enters the hose and then into the pipeline to the freezing point. The temperature of steam is higher than the temperature of hot water, so using a pressure cooker gives a greater effect and allows you to heat faster.

Another option to replace the steam generator is to use a Karher steam cleaner. The power of the steam cleaner is enough to cope with defrosting.

Ice crushing

If the underground water supply is made of iron or copper, then to defrost it you can use a special device - a pipe defrosting device. You can find out which device model to use for a specific pipe diameter by reading the device manufacturer’s instructions. The most popular devices in Russia are “Dragon” and their analogues.

The essence of the method is that power cables The devices are connected to the main line and voltage is applied to them, due to which the walls of the pipe heat up and the ice jam thaws. This method can be combined with crushing method.

Its essence is to tap the metal line in order to cause the ice to peel off from the inner walls or cause its destruction. Crushed pieces of ice can come out under the pressure of water in the system. Using this method, you need to take care of the unhindered passage of pieces of ice along the entire length of the water supply. This means that the outlet valve, tees and other structural elements with a smaller diameter must be dismantled.

Everything seems simple, but in reality it doesn’t always work out, because... The device has limitations on the distance for connecting electrodes. If connecting an electrode from the outlet side of the water pipe is not a problem, then installing a second one at a certain distance from the first is not always possible, due to the fact that the system is closed and the water has frozen in the pipe underground. Sometimes such nuances make it impossible to use the device to heat a closed water supply system.

Defrosting with a boiler

At one end of a rigid two-core wire, several centimeters of wires are exposed and wrapped around the wire in such a way that the exposed contacts do not touch each other, and the distance between them does not exceed 1.5-2 cm. A plug is installed on the other end of the wire for connecting to a household outlet . Next, the structure is pushed inside the pipeline and connected to network 220. By passing current, the water between the contacts of the wire heats up, and the water supply gradually thaws.

Important: the method is suitable for use in closed system made of plastic pipes, used in metal structures strictly prohibited, because the pipe wall contacts are closed.

Defrosting pipes with hot water

With a short length frozen water pipe, it is convenient to pour hot water from a bucket or a rubber medical heating pad, often called an Esmarch mug. This is a simple method that requires a minimum of auxiliary devices. It is often used to independently remove icing from pipes in the country. For heating, you will need a piece of thin hose no less than the length of the frozen main and a funnel for easy filling of the hose with hot water.

The hose is inserted into the water pipe until it stops, that is, to the point of freezing. Next, hot water is poured into the hose. Hot water, passing through the hose, goes directly to the place of freezing and gradually melts the ice. As it melts, it is necessary to move the hose inside the water supply and add hot water, because it will gradually go away and cool down.

Removing ice blockage in the sewer

A sewer system that is made with an incorrect slope, or made from small-diameter pipes and laid without insulation, is at risk of defrosting. You can warm up a drain pipe in a private house, in the event of an ice jam, using the same methods that are used to defrost hidden water pipes.

Important: to remove ice, it is not enough to pour hot water into the toilet, because... this is ineffective; it is necessary to organize a supply of hot water directly to the place of the ice plug, which means you need to use a hose.

If the sewer system is long enough, then to deliver the hose to the freezing point, it can be tied to a plumbing cable.

There are several nuances when defrosting.

The cause of freezing may be a blockage that has reduced throughput systems. In this case, defrosting must be carried out in conjunction with cleaning, otherwise the problem will recur.
In the sewer system, a septic tank or, in other words, a drainage pit may defrost. In this case, the outlet for water and feces is blocked, the pipes gradually fill and freeze. To eliminate the cause, you must first warm up or clean the ice in drain hole and only then begin work on heating the sewer drain.

How to defrost metal pipes in the ground

You can defrost metal water pipes that are located underground using the same methods that are used when you need to warm up a HDPE pipe in the ground. If there is access to the pipe every 10 meters, for example, wells are installed, then heating can be effectively carried out using a pipe defrosting apparatus.

Ice in a pipe underground begins to form at minus 5 degrees, which happens closer to spring, so during this period you need to be extremely careful, especially if underground metal pipes new and wintering for the first time.

How not to defrost plastic pipes

Similar to metal pipes, plastic pipes defrost at temperatures from -5, but warm them up with all accessible ways it is forbidden. For example, it is prohibited to warm frozen plastic pipes using open fire.

Plastic is a flammable material and can catch fire in a few minutes. Also for plastic communications The method of crushing and heating using a device is not used. The device will not work because polypropylene pipe does not conduct electricity. At low temperatures, some types of plastic lose their flexibility.

If you hit the frozen plastic system hammer or other percussion instrument, the walls may not hold up and burst. As a result, part of the water supply will have to be replaced. Metal-plastic pipes burst even more easily, so crushing does not apply to them either.

In conclusion of the article, I would like to note that in order to avoid problems with sewerage and water supply systems, you do not need to neglect the requirements regulatory documents, for example SNiP SNiP 2.04.01-85*. If freezing could not be avoided, then after restoring the system’s functionality, it is necessary to analyze the causes that can be eliminated in the warm season. Otherwise, the situation will repeat itself. It is not always possible to get away with just thawing the water supply, because... the integrity may be compromised and the system will have to be changed in the winter, or a temporary main will be laid, which will require additional investments.

On video original way defrosting pipes with hot water from an Atmor flow heater:

Why do pipes freeze? The reasons can be very different: pipes are laid at insufficient depth, insulated ineffectively, too small volumes of water are transported through them, pipes are operated at extremely low temperatures. It must be taken into account that if defrosting pipes laid in accessible places does not cause any particular difficulties (for example, they can be warmed up using a regular household hair dryer), then how to defrost the external underground installation? It’s “lucky” if the pipe is frozen at the entry point - in this case, you can simply heat the walls. What if the freezing point is a few meters from the structure? Is there a solution to the problem or should I wait for it to warm up? There is a solution to the problem!

If the pipes are metal, then the defrosting process is quite simple. To do this, take an ordinary welding machine and connect it to different ends of the pipe. So simple electric method eliminates the problem within two to four hours. The longer the frozen section of the pipe, the longer the defrosting will take.

But what to do if you're frozen plastic pipe? Currently, networks mainly use those made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which can withstand pressures of up to 10 atm. They are not subject to corrosion processes and are not destroyed when frozen. Due to its properties, polyethylene is not a conductor of electric current, therefore defrosting with welding machine impossible. Removing an ice plug using a steel rod is also fraught with danger and can damage the pipe. Thus, there is only one way out - to use hot water for defrosting.

The three proposed methods for defrosting polyethylene pipes are “know-how” craftsmen. However, despite their somewhat eccentricity, they work. Their only drawback is that they are only suitable for small diameter pipelines.

Method 1

It should be borne in mind that the ice plug in the pipe will not allow hot water to get inside if it is poured in just like that. This means we need to find a way to supply hot water to the frozen area. To do this, you can use a hose or pipe with a smaller diameter. For example, if you need to defrost a water pipe with a diameter of 25 or 30 mm, and the frozen section is straight, then the most effective would be to use a metal-plastic pipe with a diameter of 16 mm. First, we straighten the metal-plastic pipe (m/p pipes are usually rolled into coils), and then we push it into the frozen pipe until it reaches the ice. After this, we supply the hottest water possible through it to the place of freezing. Thawed cold water will pour out along the gap between the water supply and metal-plastic pipes. By the way, if your water supply is limited, then you can use thawed water: heat it up and send it again to the place of freezing. In this case, the ice plug will melt, and you can push the metal-plastic pipe further.

But what to do if the frozen section of the water pipe has bends and turns? In this case, it will not be possible to use a rigid metal-plastic pipe. Is there a solution? In such a situation, you can use a rigid hose. Note that a regular watering hose is not suitable for this; it will soften from hot water and it will be impossible to push it through. Oxygen hoses and connection hoses proved to be effective in this situation. gas cylinders. Such hoses are quite rigid, but, nevertheless, they can be pushed no more than 10-15 meters from the input. In addition, they are quite heavy and you need to push them through the pipe with significant effort.

Method 2

How to defrost a water pipe if this happened tens of meters from the house and the pipeline has bends and turns? There is an effective and economical way. To do this, you will need a set of hardened steel wire (2-4 mm), a construction hydraulic level and an Esmarch mug (banal enema). The cost of such a set is low, and many people have all its components on their farm.

First, you need to align the hydraulic level tube and the wire, and then screw the end of the wire to the hydraulic level with electrical tape. To provide greater hardness, a loop can be made at the end of the wire. The wire itself should not stick out, and the end of the hydraulic level tube should protrude 1 centimeter in front of the wire. After this, the other end of the hydraulic level must be connected to Esmarch’s mug and the wire with the tube must be pushed into the pipeline until it stops at the ice plug. Due to the fact that the hydraulic level tube has a very small diameter and very light weight, it easily moves along the pipeline, overcoming all turns. Next, add hot water, giving the frozen water pipe an “enema.” To collect thawed water, you need to place a container under the water pipe, because as much hot water is poured in, as much cold water is poured out. As the ice melts, we continue to push the wire with the hydraulic level tube. This method of defrosting pipes is quite lengthy; in about an hour you can defrost up to 1 m of pipeline, i.e. During a working day, 5-7 m of pipe can be de-iced. In this case, you should not rush; before pushing the tube/hose, you need to fill in at least 10 liters of hot water; it works at minimal cost.

Scheme of the process of defrosting a pipe using wire, a hydraulic level and an Esmarch mug

Method 3

Consider a situation where we have a frozen polyethylene water supply small diameter (20 mm) with a length of 50 m with a laying depth of up to 80 cm. Note that this is an insufficient depth for laying the water supply system, which is why it froze. Distinctive feature- the water supply runs under the roadway. In such a situation, utility workers usually advise waiting for a thaw, but, nevertheless, there is a way to do without them.

We will need the following “equipment”: a copper two-core wire (we select the length and thickness of the section according to the length and diameter of the frozen water supply), a plug for the outlet, a compressor and a hose for blowing out thawed water. So, for example, for a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm, you can take a 2.5-3 mm wire and a car fuel hose with a diameter of 8 mm, a regular car compressor(as a last resort, you can use a pump).

We warn you that when using this method, you must be especially careful, since the work is performed using high voltage.

Now you need to prepare all this for the defrosting process. You need to remove the outer insulation from a small section of the wire, divide it into two wires and expose one of them (remove the internal insulation), carefully bend the remaining wire in the insulation in the opposite direction along the wire. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that the insulation is not damaged.

Then, almost next to the bend of the wire, you need to make 3-5 turns of bare wire (as close to each other as possible) and cut off its remaining end.

After this, step back 2-3 mm from the turns made, expose the second wire and wrap it around the wire in the same way. The turns of the first and second wires should not touch, otherwise a short circuit will occur in the future.

We connect a plug to the other end of the wire and the “unit” for defrosting the pipe is ready. This device is popularly known as a “bulbulator”: if you place it in water and connect it to an electrical outlet, then when a current passes through the water, a reaction occurs, releasing a large amount of heat. In our case, such a device is ideal, because only the water heats up, and the wires remain cold, i.e. a plastic pipe will not melt even by accident.

The assembled device must be checked. To do this, you need to place it in a jar of water and connect it to power. If air bubbles leave the contacts and a slight hum is felt, the unit is working. We remind you once again that if you come into contact with water while the device is working, you can get an electric shock.

Let's begin the process of defrosting the water supply. The wire must be carefully pushed into the pipe so that it does not bend. Therefore, it is preferable to use a wire with a larger cross-section. When the wire hits the ice plug, you need to turn on the “bulbulator” and wait one or two minutes. Now you can try to push the wire further: the ice has begun to melt. When about a meter of pipe has been thawed, it is advisable to blow out the thawed water using a compressor; this is necessary to reduce the volume of heated water and to prevent the water supply from freezing again in the already thawed area.

If there is special equipment, then it is advisable to weld a tap onto the pipe. When water flows through the pipe, the wire is pulled out of it and the tap is closed, i.e. flooding of the place where the defrosting procedure is carried out (for example, a basement) will not occur.

To prevent plastic pipes from freezing, remember:

pipes should be laid at a depth below the freezing level of the soil in a particular region. In the northern and eastern regions of Ukraine - Lugansk, Kharkov, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernigov - the depth of soil freezing does not exceed 100 cm, in the southern - (Nikolaev, Odessa, Kherson) - 60 cm, in the rest - 80 cm . Water and sewer pipes It is advisable to lay at a depth of at least 120-140 cm.
You should not lay water supply and sewerage systems near reinforced concrete structures (supports, beams, foundations, grillages), since the thermal conductivity of concrete is much higher than the thermal conductivity of the soil, i.e. the likelihood of soil freezing from reinforced concrete structures increases. In this case, it is necessary to insulate the pipes (for example, place extruded polystyrene foam slabs between the pipeline and reinforced concrete structures)
if finances allow, a heating cable can be laid next to the pipeline. Currently, the production of self-regulating heating cables that turn on only when necessary has already been mastered.
It is advisable to insulate the places where the pipeline passes through the walls of buildings and structures with glass wool, mineral wool And polyurethane foam to prevent direct contact of the pipe walls with the walls of buildings
when installing a water supply system summer cottage It is advisable to use pipes with a diameter of at least 50 mm; pipes of smaller diameter are more susceptible to freezing
When choosing between different polymer water pipes, you should know that polyethylene pipes tolerate multiple freezing and thawing processes well, while polypropylene pipes may burst after two or three defrosts
if water supply or sewerage is in winter time If they are used irregularly, it is better to completely drain the water from the system.

If all these conditions are met when laying the water supply, you will not have to think about how to defrost the pipes.

In winter, it is not uncommon for water pipes to freeze in private homes. If pipelines are laid underground, then most often the reasons are insufficient depth and insulation of pipelines in combination with stagnation in the pipes. If pipes located in the walls freeze, this phenomenon may occur due to very severe frosts. In any case, the home owner needs to know how to defrost water pipes in a private home. Below we will look at how to eliminate ice jams in metal and plastic lines.

It is not enough to know how to defrost a pipe underground. First you need to find the immediate place of freezing. This can be done in a simple and proven way. The water supply to the water supply should be shut off. After this you need to unscrew any plug connection, which is located after the tap. A plumbing cable is inserted into the opened hole. It is gradually introduced into the pipeline until its end hits the ice plug.

This will be the freezing point. To mark its position on outside pipes, the cable can simply be attached to the ground to the same length as it entered the pipe. This is where you should look for the freezing point. So in a simple way you can find the right place in a pipe made of any material.

Methods for defrosting pipelines

The material from which it is made is of no small importance when defrosting pipes. The methods of influencing the pipeline depend on this.

Defrosting metal pipes

Let's look at how to defrost metal water pipes in a private house. Usually they run underground, so there are certain difficulties in digging a trench in winter, although it is also possible to locate them on open areas. After the pipeline is exposed, it is affected in the following ways:

Use an open flame. For example, from gas burner or blowtorch. You can also make a fire on a frozen section of pipe;
Use a welding transformer. One wire from it is connected to one frozen section of the pipe, and the second wire to the second. The ice plug melts very quickly;
The pipes are poured with boiling water after wrapping them with rags.

Important: While defrosting the pipeline, the water taps must be kept open. This is necessary for free flow of defrosted water from the pipes.

It is easier to defrost a sewer pipe, since all the melted ice will go down the drain, but with a water supply the situation is the opposite. The released water will have nowhere to go, so it is advisable to disconnect the pipe from the taps or at least open the taps.

How to defrost plastic pipes

Plastic pipes require more careful attitude due to the lower strength of the material. Let's look at how to defrost water in a plastic pipe that is in plain sight:

We looked at heating the open section of the pipeline. How to defrost a plastic water pipe underground? There are also several ways to do this:

1. Hot water supply. The plastic pipe is disconnected from the tap. In some large container, for example, a barrel, water is heated. A smaller diameter hose is used that fits freely into the pipe. It is pushed inside the pipe until it reaches the frozen area. After this, hot water is supplied to the pipeline. This can be done using a pressure pump.

The melted water will gradually flow out of the pipe along with the supplied hot water. The end of the hose should be pushed further and further until all the ice plug is removed. After this, water will flow under strong pressure.

Tip: Plastic or metal-plastic pipes should be pre-insulated in open areas to avoid the occurrence of additional ice jams.

2. Use of a steam generator. The plastic pipe is disconnected from the taps. A special hose from a steam generator with a special nozzle at the end is inserted into it. It is injected until it reaches the frozen area. Steam is supplied through the hose into the pipe, quickly melting the ice. As the frozen plug melts, the sleeve moves deeper into the pipe. With such a device, the question does not arise of how to defrost a pipe located in a wall or underground.

3. Use of electricity. This method It works on the principle of heating water with a boiler. To do this, you need to stock up on a thick two-core wire of sufficient length. The veins are separated. Each of them is released from the insulation and then twisted. The result is two thick twists, located at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other. The possibility of connecting them to each other must not be allowed to avoid a short circuit.

The wire is pushed inside the pipe to the plug. After this, the end of the wire is connected to the mains. Ice melts by heating it with electric current. In this case, the plastic walls do not heat up, since only the conductive water heats up. As the ice melts, the wire moves further along the pipeline.

4. Hydrodynamic cleaning. Using a hydrodynamic machine, you can eliminate any ice blockage in the pipe. Hot water is supplied into it under pressure through a special nozzle, which helps break down the ice in a very short time. short time. As the plug breaks down, the hose with the nozzle moves further along the pipe. It should be noted that such equipment is located mainly in specialists due to its high cost.

5. Another method of defrosting a water supply is shown in the photo.

Freeze Prevention

We looked at how to defrost polypropylene pipes(and pipes made of other types of plastic) or metal pipelines. Equally important is preventing pipelines from freezing. The occurrence of this unpleasant situation can be avoided if you adhere to some rules:

We have looked at the main ways to get rid of ice jams in water pipes. However, it is much easier to prevent water from freezing in pipelines than to fix problems that arise later.