Discharge Freeze

jonohah · Dec 15, 2005

Any ideas on how to thaw out or open up a frozen discharge line for a sump pump. From the foundation to the ditch I am about 65 feet. Obviously the slope on my line was not appropriate when put in.

With that said what other worries besides the flooding should I be aware of. Currently I will be temporarily re-routing my pump to the sewer. I have checked my pump, float and in house lines and everything seems fine. No water coming out the end of the line.

Any ideas? Much appreciated.

Rshackleford · Dec 15, 2005

I have unthawed two inch lines with running water from a garden hose. I had acess to the discharge and the drainage was excellent. I ran water into the pipe and kept working the hose into the pipe. The running water is warmer than the ice and the movement helps to rot the the ice. If you have access to the line running water could thaw the ice and clear the line.

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Master Plumber Mark · Dec 15, 2005

new line

if you got a line that was froze up
you are wise to change out the whole line
in the spring

Its not really worth the gamble. next winter

jonohah · Dec 17, 2005

Thanks...

I am going to try the hose idea. I will let you know how it goes.

Master Plumber Mark · Dec 20, 2005

has it froze up again yet??

if you got that sump line thawed out

did that hose work out ok??

has is froze up again yet??

Rshackleford · Dec 20, 2005

Are heat tapes waterproof? Could a person put a heat tape in the line to keep it from freezing?

Cass · Dec 21, 2005

Sure, if you want to use it in a way inconsistant with it's use and labling, and how would you have water, some what under pressure, flowing through the pipe and have the cord going in at the same time. Not sure if they make them that long.

Personaly unless they make a product specificaly for this use (inside PVC pipe)I wouldn't.

Rshackleford · Dec 21, 2005

I was thinking run the heat tape in the outlet and only plug it in if the thing freezes up. If it was only the end that is freezing, this would work.

Is it possible that a vacuum breaking device could be needed to allow this pipe to drain, rather than the slope actually being the problem?

How often does the pump run? If it is not very often, you could run it manually and blow the line out with air when finished.

Cass · Dec 21, 2005

You could put an AAV on it and see if that helps. If you mean outlet as in end of the run, wouldn't the force of the water push it back out? It may be bellied and if that is the case an AAV won't help.

Rshackleford · Dec 21, 2005

I am in the fresh water side of most things, what is an AAV? Any relation to an ARV? The AIM? AARP? AAA? AFL? ABC? . . .

Cass · Dec 21, 2005

What size pipe are we talking here?

Speedbump · Dec 21, 2005

How do you get the plug out of the pipe to plug it in????

If this line is galvanized or copper it can be thawed with an arc welder. That is if you can get a clamp on each end of the pipe.

bob...

Discharge Freeze

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Master Plumber Mark

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