OK here's the deal I have this company call me up today to see if I could un-freeze a pipe for them. I don't see why not I told them. I am off to try to un freeze it for them tomorrow morning. Here is the tricky part it is a six inch pipe that only runs water through it. It is a staight shot not turns. It is also 190 feet long. What would you do to unfreeze it? I am thinking of a zero tip 180 degree water and rig a way to just send the tip and teh hose through all the way. Do you think that would work? Or do you think heating up the pipe from the outside would be best? Any Ideas are welcome to help make this job easier. Thanks in advance
frozen pipe??
- Thread starter Dominic A
- Start date
Dave Olson
Workin North of 60
Hello Dominic,
If the pipe is not blocked with solid ice you could run a plumbers tape (steel strap) thru and hook your hose to it and then pull it back and forth. Use a 90 degree street ell so your nozzle will hit the wall of the pipe. You could also use a rotating mole tip.
If the pipe is plugged you will need to use a mole tip. Your equipment may not be big enough to do a 6" pipe. We would use our water blaster (10,000 psi @ 10 gpm). It is very hard to get a mole tip to travel a long distance. The very least you would need to enter the pipe from both ends.
Depending on just how cold it is you may be able to heat up the outside, but it will take a lot of water!
Dave Olson
If the pipe is not blocked with solid ice you could run a plumbers tape (steel strap) thru and hook your hose to it and then pull it back and forth. Use a 90 degree street ell so your nozzle will hit the wall of the pipe. You could also use a rotating mole tip.
If the pipe is plugged you will need to use a mole tip. Your equipment may not be big enough to do a 6" pipe. We would use our water blaster (10,000 psi @ 10 gpm). It is very hard to get a mole tip to travel a long distance. The very least you would need to enter the pipe from both ends.
Depending on just how cold it is you may be able to heat up the outside, but it will take a lot of water!
Dave Olson
Steven Rowlett
Member
Some plumbers use a welder. The current will unthaw the pipe.