How to defrost water pipes. How to warm water in a plastic water pipe underground. How to defrost an open pipeline

The answer to the question: the water supply system is frozen, how to defrost, is of interest to many owners of private houses in Russia. The fact is that the freezing of water pipes is not a rare phenomenon in our country, where low temperatures are present in most of the country for at least six months. This phenomenon can lead to disruption of life in large areas.

As for private households, a frozen pipeline can make almost any house unsuitable for living in it. In this case, if emergency measures are not taken to defrost it, the housing will have to be left before spring, while irreparable damage will be caused to it and its communications.

In order to successfully deal with the freezing of pipelines in winter, it is necessary to find out in advance why the pipes freeze, because normally they should not be covered with ice. In addition, the appearance of ice and complete blockage may indicate that negative changes have occurred in the system that significantly affect its performance. In the event that the homeowner notices this in time, he may have time to take measures to remove ice in advance, before he caused significant damage to the pipeline.

If we talk about the most common cause of pipe freezing in winter, then it is usually:

Errors in design and installation pipeline.
Often homeowners are too lazy to dig a deep trench, which leads to laying the line above the freezing point of the soil in this locality. As a result, during severe frosts, the soil “stands up like a stake”, which leads to ruptures in pipelines and damage to pipes.
Incorrect plumbing in the building.
And also because lines are not insulated.

When placing such communications, even in warm basements, it is necessary to periodically carry out work to monitor the integrity of the insulation and, if necessary, replace it with a new one. This also applies to inspection wells, which some homeowners do not look at for years. As a result, almost ideal conditions for the formation of frost and frost in the winter.

Besides, big influence freezing engineering communications also provides the speed of the water flow through the pipes, as well as their diameter. So in main pipelines utility networks, water flows constantly, which allows them to be operated normally even in icy soil. In private households, where this flow is relatively weak, and pipes are one or two inches in diameter, pipes need to be laid approximately half a meter deeper freezing point of the ground in winter.

In order to get rid of such a negative moment, many homeowners leave the water taps open in the cold. As a result, the system will be operational during the entire time of its use. If the valve is closed, then it is quite possible that the process of ice formation will begin in it.

Another common and natural cause pipe freezing is laying of engineering communications in unheated premises, it can be an entrance or a basement. Here, ice plugs usually occur at night when the water flow drops to a minimum. At the same time, if in apartment buildings access to pipes is open, which facilitates the fight against traffic jams, in private households they are usually difficult to access. As a result, it is quite difficult to deal with ice here and such activity requires high costs time and, in some cases, money.

How to find a frozen area

Before proceeding directly to the heating of pipes, it is necessary to determine that section of them where the freezing section is directly located. The fact is that the method used to heat the entire line will depend on where exactly it is located and what its dimensions are. At the same time, if it is damaged by ice, the question will arise of repairing it, and not of getting rid of ice plugs.

In total, there are two ways to detect an ice jam:

visual,
tactile.

The visual method consists in careful studying external state pipes. For this, the water supply system is inspected throughout the sections to which there are Free access. So, if communications are made of a plastic material, for example, metal-plastic, the homeowner will see swelling or deformation of a different shape.

A frozen section of metal-plastic pipes can be seen by swelling or deformation of a different shape.

As for metal pipes, which are not plastic, then the congestion is difficult to detect visually. In this case, and also when the communication is done by a covert method, it will be necessary to use the tactile method. It consists of groping for a blockage with a feeler gauge:

nearest detachable knee to a suspicious place dismantled.
In the resulting hole introduced ordinary plumbing cable or thick wire.
Rope or wire moves along the pipe until it stops.
Them length, after they are attached to the wall or soil, point out to the expected freezing point.

There are also special devices designed to determine the places of ice formation in engineering communications. They are used by professional plumbers and in everyday life these devices are practically not used.

How to defrost a pipe indoors

The methods used to defrost utilities directly depend on where exactly the pipeline is located. So if it is mounted indoors, then you can get rid of ice jams using:

hot water used for heating pipes open areas highways, while this method can be used to clean products, both metal and plastic. In this case, it is best when it is boiling water, since it is it that allows you to melt the ice the fastest. In addition, rags and rags are also used to speed up the process.

To start rags and rags placed on the pipe.
Location of suspected blockage start pouring boiling water or hot water. The process is lengthy, since the surface of the line will have to be constantly irrigated with new portions of hot water.
The heating process stops only after water does not start flowing from the open taps.
Complete removal of ice from the system can be completed in a few hours and during this time the valves should not be closed.

Rags and rags are needed here to increase the area of contact of the pipe with boiling water, as well as to extend its impact on it.

Rags and rags increase the area of contact of the pipe with boiling water, and also prolong its effect on it.

Frozen plumbing can also be warmed up with hot air by exposing it to open areas of the system. For this purpose, they usually use heat gun or powerful building hair dryer. At the same time, a temporary canopy from improvised materials is erected over the problem area. In the same case, when the homeowner does not have industrial equipment, he can use any device that generates warm air. So they can be a regular household hair dryer.

The third common way to defrost pipes is to use electricity. It is considered one of the most effective and can be used to get rid of ice, both metal and plastic products. It should be noted separately that this method requires the adoption of certain precautions.

metal lines heated in this way using welding transformer.

The output cables of the machine must be connected to a suspicious area away from the blockage. at least half a meter.
Voltage is applied so that a current of magnitude passes through the metal from 100 to 200 amps.
Usually a few minutes Such an impact causes the ice to melt, thereby restoring the patency of the pipe.

As for plastic communications, then they are heated using a two-core copper wire having a section 2.5 - 3 mm:

One of the veins is partially cleaned and performed 5 turns around the cable.
The second vein falls below the first and the same manipulations are performed on it. Trying to perform helical winding at a distance of 3 mm from the first winding. The resulting device is the simplest homemade boiler.
Ready product inserted into the pipe and turn on the current. Under the influence of the potential that has arisen between the coils, the water heats up, and the ice begins to melt.

This method is good because when using it, the system does not heat up and the plastic does not deteriorate.

How to defrost pipes on the street

The defrosting of pipelines on the street has its own specifics, due to the fact that here the temperature is usually much lower than indoors. At the same time, the pipes fresh air also warm with electricity, a building hair dryer and hot water, as in the room. In addition, due to more severe weather conditions, powerful special equipment is also used. So, for example, heating of highways is performed using:

heating cable for plumbing;
steam heater;
autoclave;
hydrodynamic machine.

If it is decided to use electricity, then it is advisable to use not a welding transformer for this, as when performing a similar procedure indoors, but a special device, because:

it has great power
allows you to adjust the current
allows you to adjust the voltage of the supplied current.
safer to operate than a misused welding transformer.

The modern industry also offers homeowners pipe heating cable. It should be distinguished from such a product as pipe heating cable, since this product is not intended to combat ice that has already formed, but to prevent this phenomenon. If you equip the pipeline with such a cable in dangerous areas, ice simply cannot form there.

Heating cable for plumbing inside the pipe used in the case when it is not possible to warm it from the outside. The fact is that the electric current supplied to it is converted into thermal energy which melts the ice. At the same time, it can be used to clear the ice jam in the most inaccessible place, since:

the cable can be inserted into the pipe for several tens of meters
he is flexible, which makes it possible to reach with its help even ice in complexly curved knees.

Building hair dryer it is rarely used on the street, since it is simply not able to warm up problem areas in windy conditions. If there is no other way out, you will have to build a temporary shelter from improvised materials to complete the work.

As for hot water, then in this case it will need to be poured into the system. For this, it is used

funnel,
a flexible hose that, as the ice thaws, moves deep into the pipeline.

AT difficult cases use industrial equipment: steam generators, autoclaves, hydrodynamic machines. steam generator performs defrosting with steam. To do this, a hose is inserted into the pipeline through a pipe or a disassembled elbow and hot steam is fed through it until it is completely cleared of ice.

The hydrodynamic machine creates a hydrodynamic pressure that “breaks through” ice jams.

Autoclave can also generate steam, so it can be used to combat ice blockage. Here the scheme of work is approximately the same as with the steam generator. In this case, it is preferable to use a steam generator, since it is more suitable for performing the described operation. As for hydrodynamic machine, then it creates a hydrodynamic pressure that “breaks through” ice jams. This machine is professional and is commonly used by organizations specializing in the maintenance of utilities.

Checking the plumbing after defrosting

After the water supply is defrosted, it is necessary to check it for damage. This can be done visually first. To do this, the surface of the pipes is inspected for the presence cracks, rips and blisters. At severe frosts such damage is usually visible to the naked eye.

When they are insignificant, it will be necessary to carry out a line pressure test. In this case, the resulting defects can be detected by leaks that have appeared. Some malfunctions may appear much later, so the system should be left under supervision for about a week in order to avoid an emergency.

Pipeline insulation and prevention of freezing

In order for the pipes not to freeze in winter, it is necessary to carefully follow the procedure for assembling and laying the water supply. So it should be placed in the ground to a depth below the freezing point of the soil in this region. Information about this can be found in a special directory, which lists freezing points in all regions of the Russian Federation.

In the event that the weather conditions in your region are severe and frosts are not uncommon, all communications should be laid in special heat-insulating canisters. In addition to saving heat, such devices prevent pipes from freezing. Such pencil cases do not rot, are not afraid of moisture and therefore can last at least 50 years old without replacement.

As for the insulation of pipelines, it is usually used for this glass wool or polyurethane foam. Also, relatively recently, special heat-insulating covers mounted on top of the existing insulation. If the pipe lies in the ground and needs to be protected from freezing, it is laid in a trench with it expanded clay or the same pencil case made of insulation.

Summing up

In conclusion, it can be noted that there are many ways to clear the pipeline of ice in case of freezing, and it is better not to bring the matter to their use. In the event that all communications are carried out in accordance with the requirements building codes and rules, they will not be afraid of any cold. At the same time, the service life of water supply and sewage systems will increase significantly, and the cost of their maintenance will decrease significantly.

Low temperatures in winter become the causes of unpleasant moments associated with the water supply at home. If you approach the laying of water pipes illiterately, then in winter the question is, the water has frozen in a private house - what to do will occur quite often. Moreover, there are always situations related to track accidents. This is a pipe rupture, if it is steel, a rupture of valves. And if this problem in the summer can be dealt with quickly with minimal cost, then in the winter everything becomes more complicated. Therefore, it is very important to first correct installation. And there is only one condition here - to insulate the pipelines or lay it below the freezing level of the soil.

Frozen home plumbing

How to defrost pipes

It should be noted that water supply network consists of two sections: external (external), it is also 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 has frozen in a private house - what to do, is not appropriate here. But partially internal plumbing goes through unheated premises. For example, in the basement and in the attic. This is where pipes can freeze. How to defrost them?

There are several options. We will take into account that plastic pipes were laid inside the house.

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

Hot water defrosting
You can use a hair dryer (construction or household). Highly effective option, but requiring a certain approach to the process itself. The thing is, especially with a building hair dryer, that the air from the device comes out with enough high temperature which can melt plastic. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately set the distance from the nozzle of the hair dryer to the surface of the pipe.
We use a hair dryer
You can use a heating cable for defrosting, which fits into the electric floor heating system or a special cable for plumbing systems. They are wrapped around a frozen section of the track and plugged into an outlet. This is the most fast option. Usually in this way it is possible to defrost a sufficiently long water supply in 2-3 hours.

Attention! Before defrosting the water in a private house, it is recommended to open all the valves on the route completely. Water from defrosting must move freely through the pipeline and flow out of the taps.

Unfreezing pipes underground

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

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

Therefore, it is better to use alternative options. One of effective methods defrosting is the use of hot water. True, for this you have to prepare. First, you need a supply of the water itself, which must be heated. The easiest way to do this without spending a lot of money is to set up a barrel under which to build a fire. Secondly, it is necessary to somehow organize the supply of water inside plumbing system. To do this, it is best to install a small electric pump. It is even better if hot water is poured into a hose of a smaller diameter than the route, which will need to be pushed into the pipeline.

Defrosting a water pipe with hot water

That is, the hose is pushed to the ice plug, then hot water is pumped into it. It quickly melts the ice, and the hose must be moved further as the track thaws. As soon as water flows out of the tap with great 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 produce the process itself.

Applying electricity

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

For this, a conventional two-wire wire is used, the cores of which must be disconnected and stripped for a length of 20 cm, that is, freed from insulation. The bare wire is twisted to a size of 8-10 cm.

Attention! It is impossible to allow both bare wires to be connected to each other. This will lead to short circuit, so between them it is necessary to install a jumper, preferably a wooden one. Its size should be less than the diameter of the water pipe.

Now the prepared two-wire wire is pushed into the pipeline to the ice plug. After that, it is connected to a 220 volt supply network. The water inside the pipe begins to boil and defrost the ice. In fact, the bifurcated wire performs the functions heating element. As it thaws, it will need to be moved inward.

We use steam

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

steam generator

Use of a steam generator. His hose is inserted into the pipeline, where steam is pumped.
Using an autoclave. This is an installation that works on the basis of boiling water. The process itself is exactly the same as in the case of the 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.
The use of a hydrodynamic machine. it professional equipment, which is based on the process of heating water and supplying it under pressure inside the water line.

All three options are very effective. If the water inlet to the house or the entire route is frozen, then with their help it is possible to warm 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 have very simple ways, which do not require large expenditures, 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 funds. If everything is very difficult, then it is better to call specialists. They will not only solve the problem of defrosting, but also help prevent subsequent troubles.

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Given the harsh climatic realities of our latitudes, protecting various communications from the cold and eliminating the consequences of its impact is a common thing. Moreover, the lack of preventive measures leads to the need for repair. This is especially true for pipelines that carry water. Because in recent times Increasingly, polymer systems are used for internal and external highways, then the question of how to defrost plastic pipes is becoming more and more relevant.

The situation is not hopeless, and there are ways. However, this does not mean that pipe protection can be neglected. What to do if the trouble did occur - later in the article.

Causes and consequences

Before defrosting water in plastic pipe, it is better to find out for sure the cause of the accident. Otherwise, there is a high probability that it will happen again next, and even worse - in the same winter. Therefore, in parallel with the work to eliminate the ice plug, it is worth strengthening protection from the cold and carrying out.

There are several main "culprits" of freezing:

Insufficient depth of the external pipeline - it is calculated according to special zoning maps, but in any case, at least 600 mm is taken. It is better to take it with a margin, especially for regions with extreme frosts.
Remedy: laying heat-insulating material heating cable, deepening the pipeline trench in the ground

Although theoretically a hot water or heating pipeline can be laid at a shallower depth, in the expectation that the pipe heats itself, it is better not to do this.

A sudden cessation of supply can lead to quite serious consequences, and being left without heat in cold weather is not the best prospect.

Violation of thermal insulation or its incorrect calculation - this applies to both external and internal pipelines. Eliminated in the same ways as the previous cause
Incorrect calculation of the diameter of the pipeline, as a rule, the outer one. Many homeowners, trying to save money, accept it as the estimated minimum sufficient to supply the building with water. However, it should be remembered that with small volumes of consumption, water stagnates for a long time, and has time to freeze. Therefore, experts recommend using diameters of at least 40-50 mm for outdoor systems.
How larger diameter pipes, the less risk of freezing, and the less severe the consequences. Corrective action: additional thermal insulation, heating cable, replacement of pipes with a larger diameter

Lack or insufficient thermal insulation of the pipe at the point where it passes through outer wall. Eliminated by laying mineral heat-insulating materials at the place of passage (if necessary - with the expansion of the hole in the wall by an appropriate distance)
The fit of the pipeline to a wall made of artificial stone, for example, in a basement or basement. Corrected by laying a layer of thermal insulation between the pipeline and the wall, or by eliminating direct contact

Important information!

Any fake diamond, the same brick or concrete, has a thermal conductivity that is much better than natural soil, so it can freeze even in the underground part.

Therefore, the pipeline should not have direct contact with the walls of even heated rooms - its outer layer can still have a negative temperature, and the water freezes with it.

In places where they pass through the wall, defrosting plastic pipes is especially difficult.

Elimination of accidents

There are several main types of accidents, the decision on how to defrost a metal-plastic or plastic pipe depends on this:

Water frozen in the outdoor pipeline of the underground installation
The same, in a pipeline laid in an open way
Freezing water in internal pipeline with open gasket
frozen inner tube mounted in a wall or hard-to-reach place

Moreover, in each of these cases, two options are also possible: the pipe or fittings are damaged, or there are no cracks in them. In this case, the algorithm of actions for any pipe material in any of the options will not differ, whether it is about how to defrost metal-plastic pipes, polyethylene or polypropylene.

Important information!

The most resistant to freezing are polyethylene pipes, followed by metal-plastic, the layers of which also consist of polyethylene, polypropylene pipes in the cold they feel completely uncomfortable.

They can withstand about three freezes, but they can burst after the first.

Possible Solutions

Crack repair

If the pipe has obvious mechanical damage, then, perhaps, defrosting of plastic pipes will no longer be required, except that the area inside which the ice plug has arisen will have a very significant length. Usually, the damage site is simply cut out - and for this it is not necessary to melt the ice.

A new pipe section is installed at the accident site, which is joined to the existing pipeline using standard fittings for this type of pipe, as a rule, some kind of coupling.

With any method, the valve closest to the place of the ice plug must be open.

If you need to poke something into the pipe for cleaning, it should be removed altogether.

But in this case, it is necessary to foresee how, after eliminating the plug, quickly close the pipe - after all, the water pressure in the pipeline does not go away.

Outdoor heating

If you need to defrost plastic pipes inside the building, for example, in the basement, if you have access to them, the easiest way is to use any heat sources outside the pipe: electric heaters with a fan, hair dryers, electric blankets.

Some craftsmen try to use open heat sources like blowtorches or gas burners, but this method is not entirely safe - if you miss the right moment, then the pipe wall can simply be burned. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to use the apparatus used for “metal” to defrost plastic pipes - its operation requires an electrically conductive material, which polymers do not belong to.

Internal heating

If a plug has arisen in a closed section of the pipe, it is warmed up, as a rule, with hot water, which is poured into the system “towards” the ice, that is, from inside the building. However, water will not go into the pipe just like that - an air plug forms between the ice and the open end of the pipe, and sometimes a water plug (in ascending sections).

In such cases, in short sections, use metal-plastic pipe with a diameter smaller than the pipeline itself, and if this is not possible, then an oxygen or other heat-resistant rubber hose.

And, for example, how to defrost a polypropylene pipe with many bends? There is a solution for this case as well.

This will require Esmarch's mug ("bucket" enema), a hose like those used in water building levels and a piece of steel wire with a section of 2-4 mm of sufficient length.

The procedure for this is as follows:

Open access to desired area pipes
The ends of the wire and tube, which will move to the place of the cork, fasten together in parallel. In this case, the tube should protrude forward at the junction by about 10 mm

So that defrosting metal-plastic pipes in this way does not damage them (their inner layer is quite delicate), it is better to round the wire at the end.
A pair of "tube-wire" moves to the place of the plug. After it becomes impossible to push them further, you can start pouring boiling water through the enema. At the same time, at the open end of the pipe there must be a container for the “returning” working fluid.
The process will not be fast (at least several hours), especially if the frozen section of the pipe is of considerable length.
Therefore, before you defrost polypropylene pipes, you should stock up enough hot water for pouring.

There are also tips on how to defrost a metal-plastic pipe using a homemade electric heater from a two-core cable, however, even with a good set of circumstances, the process will be even more protracted. Therefore, it is better to turn to the "boiling water" classics. And the best thing is to think about that even when installing the system. And if trouble has happened, be sure to fix it by the next winter season.

In winter, not only we ourselves freeze, but also communications. And if it’s enough for a person to drink a cup of hot tea, wrap himself in a blanket and sit around, then it will be more difficult with pipes. If the water or drains in them are frozen, then you will have to deal with utilities (and we all know that this is not always fast), or take the initiative into your own hands. Fortunately, people's ingenuity came up with a lot of really working and effective ways to defrost a water supply and sewer pipe without waiting for spring.

Why do pipes freeze?

No that's not rhetorical question. The reason often lies within ourselves. Yes, it is we, consciously or not, who violate the norms, and as a result, in the midst of a fierce winter, we get an unpleasant consequence in the form of an icy water supply or, even worse, sewerage.

Pipes freeze for the following reasons:

insufficient depth. Ideally, pipes should be below the level of soil freezing, and in some regions this level is at a depth of 1.8-2 m, or even deeper. Utilities and private developers sometimes do not adhere to this rule, either due to incorrect calculations, or in an attempt to save money;
inefficient insulation. So that the pipes do not freeze in winter, and those places of the pipes that pass through or brick walls, need double insulation, as these materials cool faster than the ground;
it is better not to place pipes close to brick and concrete structures for the same reason. Exception - entering the house;
low water consumption. In private unheated houses, water should not be left in pipes; it is better to drain it before winter;
pipe diameter too small. The smaller the diameter, the faster the liquid freezes. It is not recommended to lay water pipes with a diameter of less than 50 mm underground;
even if the pipe laying depth is sufficient, and they are well insulated, with extremely low temperatures that are not typical for the region, freezing may occur. This is already an emergency.

If it so happened that the pipes are frozen, and you have to defrost them on your own, then first you have to calculate the place where the water freezes. It can be outdoor or underground. Defrost methods will vary.

No. 1. Defrosting the pipe with a hair dryer or blowtorch

If the outer part of the pipe, which is in the reach zone, is frozen, then the task is greatly simplified. It is enough to expose the frozen area external heating, and for this you can use:

If the pipe is metal, then the following heat sources can also be used:

The principle is the same in all cases. Heat is applied to the frozen area. If it is a heating pad, then it is applied, if the cable is wrapped around the pipe and plugged into the network, if the burner or blowtorch- the flame is directed to the pipe zone, but with a hairdryer, everything is clear. An old blanket or thick cloth can be wrapped over a heating pad, heating cable, and thermal blanket to keep warm.

It is important to open the water tap before starting work so that the thawed water can safely flow out of the pipe. or shut down for the time being.

No. 2. Defrosting with boiling water and rags

The method is also suitable if the pipes are in the building and accessible. Of course, you can simply pour hot water on the pipes, after substituting containers to collect water, but it is much more efficient to first wrap the pipes with rags, and only then arrange a “hot shower” for them. The rags will absorb water, heat up and contribute to the constant exposure of the pipes to heat. If there are few rags, then it will periodically need to be moved along the pipe section. Do not forget to substitute a container to collect water that will not be absorbed.

Number 3. Defrosting the pipe with a welding machine

If the frozen area is located outside the house, then it will take more time and effort to thaw. The co method is considered one of the most effective, but it has a limitation - it only suitable for metal pipes.

To begin with, you will have to at least approximately determine the place where the ice plug forms. Then, on both sides, the water pipe is cleaned of thermal insulation and cleaned to metallic luster. These places are connected electrical cable connected to the secondary winding of the welding transformer.

Now it remains to set the minimum current on the device (about 180 A) and turn it on to the network. will begin to heat up along the entire length of the connected section. Defrosting occurs relatively quickly, but the duration of the entire process depends on the length of the pipe. At the same time, the water tap should also be kept open. Experts warn that the method has side effect- pipes after such treatment begin to rust faster.

It is very important to connect and disconnect cables to the pipe only when welding machine switched off. Otherwise, you can get an electric arc that can damage both the pipe and your hands and eyes.

No. 4. Defrosting with hot water through a hose

When the frozen area is in sight, it is enough to pour hot water directly on it. By simple deductions, we can come to the conclusion that if the congestion is located far from home, then it is necessary to somehow deliver hot water to the place of icing. Just pouring hot water into the pipe is not very effective - you have to get a little confused. This way applicable to when you can’t just take and run a current through them, like through metal.

The procedure is as follows:

remove the stop valve;
prepare a rigid hose or pipe with a diameter smaller than the plumbing. For example, for a pipe with a diameter of 25-32 mm, a diameter of 16 mm is suitable. This is if the site is completely straight. If there are twists and turns, then you will have to take a hose that can bend, but at the same time is quite rigid. You can’t take an ordinary one - it may not withstand exposure to hot water and soften, so it will be more difficult to push it through. You can take an oxygen hose or a hose that is usually connected gas cylinders. True, it can be stretched only 10-15 m from the input - it is too rigid and heavy. Alternatively, a flexible hose with attached wire can be used;
we put the prepared hose or metal-plastic pipe into the pipe until it hits the ice;
a container can be attached to the outer end of the hose, from which hot water will be supplied. If you attach a faucet to it, it will be much more convenient. However, hot water can also be poured through a funnel, but this is not very convenient;
instead of a simple hot ox, you can use salt solution- it freezes at a lower temperature, so that the work will go faster;
melt water will flow out through the gap between the pipe or hose. Prepare a container for its collection in advance;
as the ice plug melts, it will be possible to lower the metal-plastic pipe or hose deeper.

When the work is completed, it remains to assemble the pipeline and install shutoff valves. To prevent re-freezing, ensure that the water is constantly moving through the pipeline, at least with a slight pressure. A heating cable can be lowered into a straight pipe.

Hydraulic level method

A variation of this method is the use of a building hydraulic level of the required length. The method is good if there are 2-3 elbows in the pipe and the distance from the house to the frozen area is 20 m. To the end of the hydraulic level, a wire is wound with electrical tape. And then, and then in advance it is necessary to align a little. From the end that will be immersed in the pipe, the wire should not stick out. It is better to let it be shorter than the hydraulic level by 1 cm.

The hydraulic level is pushed inside the pipe until it hits the ice. Hot water (or saline) can be served with Esmarch's mug, popularly an enema. When you hit the ice, you can start the water supply. To simplify, we do an enema to the pipe. We collect melted water in a basin or bucket, as we thaw, we advance the hydro level.

The method is good because the hydraulic level tube is thin enough, so it goes well into the water pipe, and it easily overcomes turns. average speed– 1 meter of ice per hour.

No. 5. Defrost with wire

Way to go for defrosting only plastic pipes plumbing located at a distance from the house. To work, you must purchase:

two-core wire, the length and thickness depends on the pipe, but people with experience advise taking a thicker and harder wire;
plug for socket;
a compressor and a hose will be needed if the pipeline is long enough, or if the ice plug is located far from the entry point into the house. You can buy a fuel hose, it is inexpensive, and use a pump as a compressor, or use a car compressor.

The main thing, properly prepare the wire. First, we remove the general insulation in a section of 8-10 cm and expose one of the wires. Gently bend it in the opposite direction and make several turns (3-5 are enough) around the part that remained under the general insulation (it is clear from the pictures below). The threads must be tight. The insulation is also removed from the second wire and wound below the turns of the first wire. The distance should be about 2-3 mm - the turns of the first and second wires should not touch. If you use pliers during the creation of the turns, then first wrap the wire with something tight so as not to damage the insulation.

When the first end is ready, it remains to connect the plug from the second end. Here is our working tool, popularly sometimes referred to as a "burbulator", is ready. You should not take this method if you have little understanding in electrics.

This method is based on a simple physical phenomenon. When current passes through water, the latter heats up. What you need when you need to defrost pipes! It is important that the wire itself remains cold, only the water is heated, i.e. the likelihood of damage to the plastic pipe is minimized.

This method of defrosting frozen pipes can only be used if all parts (including shut-off valves) are made of plastic. In the presence of steel fittings a short circuit may occur.

You can check if our defroster is working with a can of water. It is enough to lower one end of the wire there, plug the other into an outlet, and you will see how bubbles begin to appear in the water, all this will be accompanied by a buzz. Do not dip your fingers into the water - it can give you an electric shock.

Now it remains to lower the wire into the pipe until it hits the ice, but without too much force. We plug it into the outlet, gently press the end of the wire to the ice and wait a couple of minutes, after which you can try to lower the wire a little more, it will seem to fall into the ice itself. If the icy area is large enough, then it is better to gradually pump out the melted water. You can do without it, but then it will take more time, because you will also have to warm up a sufficient amount of water. There is another threat - the ice that has already melted may begin to freeze while you melt its deeper layers. In general, it is better to use a pump or a compressor.

No. 6. How to defrost a sewer pipe?

Let us immediately note freeze much less often than tap water, and this is a solid reason to rejoice. The fact is that warm drains are constantly moving along them, but if it suddenly happened that the sewage system froze, try one of the following methods:

If independent attempts to defrost water and sewer pipes were unsuccessful, then one can only hope for specialists who use special steam generators. These devices are like washing machines for cars, only steam is produced at the outlet, and its temperature and pressure can be adjusted depending on the material of the pipes and the length of the frozen section. This method is very fast and efficient.

How to prevent pipes from freezing?

The answer to this question comes from the very first section of the article describing the reasons. In short, we must try to minimize possible risks, i.e.:

The only thing you can't predict is record low temperatures in the region. If usually in winter the temperature does not drop below -15 0 C, and -25 0 C is considered almost a disaster, then it is quite logical to lay pipes to a depth of 80 cm (for example, Stavropol). It's hard to believe, but still it is impossible to completely discard the situation when the temperature drops to -35 0 C or even lower. And if earlier it was only necessary to rely on nature, now we have a heating cable at our disposal, which will not allow the pipes to freeze under any conditions, so for reinsurance purposes, you can additionally use it.

The situation when modern plastic water pipes freeze happens quite often. Naturally, such a problem should be eliminated as soon as possible, because otherwise the freezing area will gradually expand. In addition, in any case, there is a risk of "rupture" of the highway.

So defrosting plastic pipes is a very important and urgent task. And, in the end, except purely technical nuances, without water, sitting is also uncomfortable, you see.

In this article, we will look at all the most popular and effective ways solutions to such a problem. Moreover, we will even figure out how to defrost a metal-plastic pipe underground, and not just the one that is on the surface.

Let's start by reviewing the most important point.

Why does this problem occur at all?

In fact, everything here is quite simple to understand. The causes of freezing are discussed in the table below.

As you can see, the reasons are quite logical and understandable. And if so, then before reviewing how to defrost a plastic water pipe, it is worth talking about preventive measures.

How to prevent freezing

For outdoor plumbing, measures can be as follows:

Insulating plastic with mineral wool . Such work is done very simply - plastic turns into mineral wool. From above, the insulation is wrapped with a rope or wire.

Tip: if communications take place in places with high humidity, then the mineral wool on top must also be wrapped with a film, foil, or even better - with a hydrobarrier.
Then the heater will last a really long time.

"Packing" the highway in special box . In fact, communications are simply sheathed on the outside with panels of wood, plastic or drywall (depending on where the communications go). And the entire space between the plane of the box and the water supply is filled mounting foam or a piece of styrofoam.

Such are the technologies.

Note!
You can not "foam" those points where important connections are located.
These areas include, for example, taps, brass fittings, threaded fittings etc.
If they are sealed with foam, it turns out that in the event of an emergency, access to such important elements will be blocked.

As for communications that are laid in the ground, then the recommendations are very simple. It is necessary to mount everything below the depth of the freezing point of the soil. At the same time, one should adhere to simple rule- if it is not possible to lay the system at the desired depth, then it should be very well insulated.

However, do-it-yourself insulation is still not a 100% guarantee that the water will not freeze. Perfect option in this case, it is to organize at least some kind of heating system for communications.

And now let's look at how to defrost plastic water pipes, that is, we'll figure out how to fix the situation when ice has already formed.

Ways of heating the line

It is worth noting one important point- as good examples we will analyze the most available solutions that do not require the purchase of expensive equipment.

In addition, these methods differ in that they have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in practice. Let's start reviewing the simple option.

With the help of boiling water

Heating instruction outdoor system hot water is quite simple.

In principle, in this way, communications can be warmed up quite quickly - in just a couple of hours. Here the main thing is to warm not even the entire diameter of the ice, but only a small part of it. Because even if a small “loophole” appears for the passage of water along the highway, then the rest of the ice will gradually melt by itself.

As for systems that are located underground, in principle it is possible to influence them in this way, but only the heating time will be much longer. Yes, and you still need to get to the plane of such communications. Therefore, this method is not the most the best solution for defrosting underground lines.

And if we talk about how to defrost a plastic water pipe underground, then it's best to do it a little differently. The bottom line is that you need to deliver boiling water directly to the ice plug - that is, as if inside the pipe itself. If just pouring hot water into the main does not work, then you can try to do it using an ordinary flexible hose.

This is done like this:

One end of the rubber hose is inserted into the line and the hose is pushed through to the point where it meets the ice plug.
The second end of the product is put on a hot water tap. At the same time, it is important that the pressure force in the tap is sufficient to deliver water to the desired point.

The supply of boiling water is turned on and the heating process begins. As for the exposure time, it all depends on how many meters the ice has spread.

Please note that you will need to prepare some kind of container to collect water!
The fact is that boiling water will rest against the cork and, under the influence of pressure, the water will return “back” - that is, it will begin to flow out of the cracks between the hose and the pipe.

Consider another defrosting method that is suitable for both underground and elevated water pipes.

Steam

This option in a good way requires a special device - a steam generator. However, the price of the device is too high to purchase it for a one-time operation, so it is easier and more expedient to rent a steam generator.

The principle of operation here is quite simple - the device generates steam, which can be launched under pressure to any desired place.

The flow is usually directed with a hose.

Insert the sleeve into the pipe.
We turn on the device and begin to pump hot air in the direction of the ice plug.

Here the efficiency and speed of defrosting are very high level because the temperature of the steam is higher than the degree of hot water. In a good way, even in very difficult cases, warming up can occur within literally an hour.

You can also defrost ice with the help of "artisanal" steam injection.

It's done like this:

The autoclave heats up water.
Take the hose. One of its ends is connected to the autoclave, and the other is launched into the pipe.

It turns out that hot air will, as it were, exit the autoclave through a hose and, accordingly, “rest” against an ice plug.

In principle, any analogue of an autoclave, even an ordinary double boiler, is suitable for small pipelines. The main thing is that the pressure of the steam is strong enough to get to the point where the ice begins.

But this method only suitable if there is no risk of deformation of the line itself. So whether it is worth using such machines for plastic communications is a big question.

Well, now let's figure out how to defrost plastic sewer pipe more "popular" methods.

With hair dryer and fan heater

Essentially, this technology involves warm air on the plastic plane. That is, we take a hair dryer or a fan heater, turn on these devices and begin to pump a hot stream towards the problem point in communications. As you yourself understand, the method is only suitable for those that pass in open areas.

Conclusion

As you already understood, defrosting a line made of plastic pipes is a very real thing. Of course, situations are different, and therefore universal way there can be no warming, but still the methods that we talked about above can “work”. We hope that this is exactly what will happen.

By the way, if you want to know more visual instructions then watch the video in this article.