Phil3
New Member
I am new to this forum, and need help to solve a pipe freezing problem.
My 2005 house is on a slab w/underground copper piping (leaking). House was repiped with Viega PEX-B piping. Plumbing now freezes if below around 10 degrees overnight. No water on ALL faucets. By around 11:00 a.m., water flows fine. Freezing must be occurring before any branching. I can’t find out where freezing is happening.
The new plumbing (PEX) begins at the outlet side of the existing underground shut-off valve buried about 18” below ground level (frost line). The PEX line runs from the valve, somewhat uphill, into a tunnel created in the foundation wall. The tunnel entry on foundation wall is about 14” below ground level (estimate). The tunnel (and PEX line from valve) curves upward and exits vertically through the foundation on the back corner floor of a closet. The back wall of the closet is an exterior wall. The pipe continues vertically in the back corner of the closet and through the ceiling and into the attic, where a 90 degree fitting and more PEX pipe continues water distribution. A shut off valve and pressure regulator are on the closet pipe (copper int this section).
A plumber suggested the freezing is in the PEX main line (between underground valve and where it exits floor in closet). Others say the attic PEX piping, which lays on top of ceiling boards and bat style insulation laid back over pipe. Since I cannot tell where the freezing happens, I figure I will try to improve both areas.
For the attic, will simply adding more insulation work? The vertical closet pipe entering the attic does so on the interior side of an exterior wall. I am not so sure insulation is enough.
For the outside, I can add more soil or other material to effectively make the PEX pipe deeper, but am limited by the house, gas meter, etc. Or build a low level well insulated box of some kind, sink it into the ground and surround the PEX pipe. Ideas?
An infrared thermometer indicates the exposed foundation above ground can be below 32 degrees. The underground shut-off valve is around 40 degrees, even after a few hours of 12 degrees outside air. No exterior electrical power nearby. Area gets no sun. Light colored rock covering ground.
I know there will be opinions on the arrangement I have, but it is what I have. I appreciate any help you can give. I am weary of dripping faucets and always looking over my shoulder for the next freeze and burst pipes.
Thanks for your help.
Phil
My 2005 house is on a slab w/underground copper piping (leaking). House was repiped with Viega PEX-B piping. Plumbing now freezes if below around 10 degrees overnight. No water on ALL faucets. By around 11:00 a.m., water flows fine. Freezing must be occurring before any branching. I can’t find out where freezing is happening.
The new plumbing (PEX) begins at the outlet side of the existing underground shut-off valve buried about 18” below ground level (frost line). The PEX line runs from the valve, somewhat uphill, into a tunnel created in the foundation wall. The tunnel entry on foundation wall is about 14” below ground level (estimate). The tunnel (and PEX line from valve) curves upward and exits vertically through the foundation on the back corner floor of a closet. The back wall of the closet is an exterior wall. The pipe continues vertically in the back corner of the closet and through the ceiling and into the attic, where a 90 degree fitting and more PEX pipe continues water distribution. A shut off valve and pressure regulator are on the closet pipe (copper int this section).
A plumber suggested the freezing is in the PEX main line (between underground valve and where it exits floor in closet). Others say the attic PEX piping, which lays on top of ceiling boards and bat style insulation laid back over pipe. Since I cannot tell where the freezing happens, I figure I will try to improve both areas.
For the attic, will simply adding more insulation work? The vertical closet pipe entering the attic does so on the interior side of an exterior wall. I am not so sure insulation is enough.
For the outside, I can add more soil or other material to effectively make the PEX pipe deeper, but am limited by the house, gas meter, etc. Or build a low level well insulated box of some kind, sink it into the ground and surround the PEX pipe. Ideas?
An infrared thermometer indicates the exposed foundation above ground can be below 32 degrees. The underground shut-off valve is around 40 degrees, even after a few hours of 12 degrees outside air. No exterior electrical power nearby. Area gets no sun. Light colored rock covering ground.
I know there will be opinions on the arrangement I have, but it is what I have. I appreciate any help you can give. I am weary of dripping faucets and always looking over my shoulder for the next freeze and burst pipes.
Thanks for your help.
Phil
