Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dazzler3370 on October 21, 2022, 09:39:44 pm

Title: Heat Trace
Post by: Dazzler3370 on October 21, 2022, 09:39:44 pm
Good evening gents,
Just had car port built with electric garage door so it's secure.
I would like to keep my static set up just in the car port however I do have the issue of freezing pipes etc in winter.
Has anybody on here had a Heat Trace fitted to their system to stop freezing pipes etc.
if not any other alternatives..??
cheers Dazzler
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: Bungle on October 21, 2022, 09:45:35 pm
Good evening gents,
Just had car port built with electric garage door so it's secure.
I would like to keep my static set up just in the car port however I do have the issue of freezing pipes etc in winter.
Has anybody on here had a Heat Trace fitted to their system to stop freezing pipes etc.
if not any other alternatives..??
cheers Dazzler

Lag your pipes for a starter.
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: Splash & dash on October 21, 2022, 09:47:08 pm
Can you not insulate them with pipe lagging , and or make up a box from kingspan to put around it ?
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: Spruce on October 21, 2022, 10:14:28 pm
We once cleaned an apartment block that had boxed in water pipes running up an outside wall to supply all the upstairs flats with water.

It seemed to work to begin with, but I don't know how long it lasted over time as the builders went bankrupt and HMRC seized both apartment blocks.

There was another windie further north who couldn't heat his van due to street parking, and also fitted 12v heat trace to the pipes from his tank to the pump and from the pump to his van port. Seemed to work for him.

I would think that keeping your r/o frost free is your main concern. I know of one cleaner who had his Merlin sitting on top of his IBC tank all wrapped up in bubble wrap. The 'warmth' from the water in the IBC tank stopped the r/o from freezing up. His setup was in a metal shed in his back garden. Granted, we live on the North Coast so don't experience the same temperatures others will do inland.

There are a few windies locally who produce water into IBC tanks in their back garden. During the very bad winter in 2010/11 (was it 2011/2?) which effected the East Coast for approx 6 weeks, the IBC tank in our garage never had ice in it. We drained most of the water from the tank in my son's van, and the little that was left in the bottom froze up solid. We drained the pump and inlet filter of water, so no damage was done to those components.
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: Clever Forum Name on October 24, 2022, 07:49:58 pm
I used heat trace on my water feed in and waste out.

Cost about £150 for the two 10 meter runs.

Dead easy todo as you buy as a kit.
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: NWH on October 24, 2022, 07:59:11 pm
I would be very surprised if it froze up if kept inside what you described I had an outside setup and tbh it only froze up on the coldest of days and even then it had to be cold day upon cold day,talking temp not getting above freezing for 48-72 hours. I got some lovely lagging from British Gas that is flexible,you tear off a sticky strip to secure it together lovely stuff not like the light grey stiff stuff.
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 28, 2022, 03:48:30 pm
I used heat trace on my water feed in and waste out.

Cost about £150 for the two 10 meter runs.

Dead easy todo as you buy as a kit.

Thanks! Any link to that please?
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: NWH on October 28, 2022, 05:22:17 pm
Very dangerous 12V I’ve been told more dangerous than playing around with 240.
Title: Re: Heat Trace
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 01, 2022, 11:12:34 pm
I used heat trace on my water feed in and waste out.

Cost about £150 for the two 10 meter runs.

Dead easy todo as you buy as a kit.

Thanks! Any link to that please?

Prices have gone up a bit but it was well made. Cost pennies to run. I have mine on a remote so on cold nights I just switch it on. If we had a cold snap I would just leave it on.

I used silver tape, cable ties and then air conditioning lagging. Really thick lagging. You can feel the pipes heat. Works really well.

https://www.traceheatinguk.co.uk/premade-trace-heating-kits-with-thermostat