dry ice

[Ken the plumber]

Has anyone used dry ice to freeze a line. I need to install a new ball valve, and relocate the water meter, the B- Box is not keyable.

[master plumber mark]

they used to make a freon kit that would

freeze a line solid, but it never worked very well....


dry ice is an idea, I guess,

as long as you got everything ready and

you are wearing a tall pair of salmon waders

[Ken the plumber]

If "it" was screwed, I could change it on the fly. I know that its is very possible, I just need to know how long to keep the ice on so I don't do more damage than good.

[hj]

You have to have absolutely no flow in the pipe so it will freeze. Then you keep the dry ice on until you finish the job, but you have to test for flow periodically to find out when it is frozen and then wait a bit longer to ensure complete sealing. You will only have one chance. If it thaws before you are finished, you will never be able to stop the flow. I don't know the actual situation, but if possible, once it is frozen I would insert a Jet-Swet to hold back any flow and use a full port ball valve so the Jet-Swet can be removed afterwards.

http://www.pollardwater.com/emarket/Images/Jet_Swet_with_case.GIF

[Ken the plumber]

Well today is the day we find out about dry ice. I will use my jet sweat as HJ suggested. Ill be back to let you know how it goes. No guts No glory

[Ken the plumber]

Well the dry ice worked like a dream. Thanks to all that replied!

[Dunbar Plumbing]

I have gotten by with no jet-swet tools for years, but I can't seem to find decent prices on them. That and I usually will not put valves in that don't serve a purpose other than a fixture it serves. I try to drop bellies in the piping, or making sure all of the faucets, hosebibbs, toilets flushed to stop the weeping of water to where I am soldering. Dry Ice is hard to find in my area. Makes for some cool effects though. :p

[hj]

If you need dry ice, try your local Baskins and Robbins ice cream store.