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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sunshine windows on January 07, 2009, 05:30:50 pm

Title: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: sunshine windows on January 07, 2009, 05:30:50 pm: Hi Guys,

I've got a heater in the back of the van which is working wonders at keeping everything toastie in there overnight.

However i'm having major problems in getting the water to come right through the system due to exposed pipes leading to the outlets under the rear of the van.

Are there any products out there which are safe to use with pure water, which would stop the water freezing through the pipes. If so, where can i get my hands on some.

Regards,
Lance
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: darragh windows on January 07, 2009, 06:17:48 pm: try insulating your pipes with 15mm pipe insulation b q sell what you need it not expensive
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 07, 2009, 06:21:26 pm: Sunshine, there was a guy who after work flushed his sytem with screen wash then next day drained it and refillled, extra work but its one way. Hopefully things are slowly getting better. never seen anything like this it takes ages to start work.
Kept the water for the next night,
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: East coast window cleaning Services on January 07, 2009, 06:31:28 pm: had the same problem mate heater in all night the man pipes from my pumps to my reels. switch my variable speed gauge on to fire up me pumps and its stop start. Today though i left them to stop start and after 2/3 mins it pulled the slush through the system. I did stick 0.5 ltr of screen wash in my system but didnt make a difference.
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: chrisyg on January 07, 2009, 06:36:56 pm: All my pipes had frozen i have taken them all out today including the pump and defrosted them all in the bath.

Finally got them all back in the van, with lagging round them now, and around the pump, and a oil heater during the night. Today was supposed to be my first day back, but its tomorrow now.

Looks as though it will be milder next week ;)
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: simon w on January 07, 2009, 06:50:46 pm: Quote from: sunshine windows on January 07, 2009, 05:30:50 pm
Hi Guys,

I've got a heater in the back of the van which is working wonders at keeping everything toastie in there overnight.

However i'm having major problems in getting the water to come right through the system due to exposed pipes leading to the outlets under the rear of the van.

Are there any products out there which are safe to use with pure water, which would stop the water freezing through the pipes. If so, where can i get my hands on some.

Regards,
Lance
Take your hoselocks "outlets" of your pipes pull the pipes back into the van during the night and replace them when your ready to work the next day.
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: cybersye on January 07, 2009, 07:01:04 pm: http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=67450.0

I posted this up a couple of days ago and it works
Make the mix 50/50 though because on my first attempt I diluted the anti freeze too much and it was'nt successful and as Matt pointed out you can just flush it back into the container and so is toatlly re-usable
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: pjulk on January 07, 2009, 07:03:27 pm: All my stuff is frozen solid also.

That includes my tank in my shed where i store my water.

I went to put some water in barrels this morning as my van system was frozen so i can use my trolley.

Nothing frozen solid.

Then went to start my van this morning and it tried one turn then that was it flat battery.
so i stuck my applicator squeegie and scrim in my car and my trolley which luckily was already full of water and managed to get some work done.

I think i will be on ladders the rest of the week and its going to ages to defrost a 650ltr tank full of water
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: East coast window cleaning Services on January 07, 2009, 07:28:54 pm: Quote from: Paul Griffin on January 07, 2009, 07:03:27 pm
All my stuff is frozen solid also.

That includes my tank in my shed where i store my water.

I went to put some water in barrels this morning as my van system was frozen so i can use my trolley.

Nothing frozen solid.

Then went to start my van this morning and it tried one turn then that was it flat battery.
so i stuck my applicator squeegie and scrim in my car and my trolley which luckily was already full of water and managed to get some work done.

I think i will be on ladders the rest of the week and its going to ages to defrost a 650ltr tank full of water

you sure the whole tank of waters frozen and not a few 9/10 inchs of the top. i gave my ibc's a gentle whack that will break the top layer
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on January 07, 2009, 08:49:47 pm: If it's hose outlets under the van then instead of trying to defrost them why not just drain them of water before they freeze.

Simon.
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: pjulk on January 07, 2009, 08:56:39 pm: Quote
you sure the whole tank of waters frozen and not a few 9/10 inchs of the top. i gave my ibc's a gentle whack that will break the top layer

Not really sure how much is frozen but my submersible pump makes the noise but just a dribble comming out.

The tap is completly froze.

I have given it quite a few wacks.
Hopefully tomorrow it will be ok as i have a heater out there now, never needed it before as its never froze.
Title: Re: Can't work because of frozen pipes
Post by: stu_thomson on January 07, 2009, 09:03:32 pm: just a thought, how about one of those pond heaters which float on the surface?? might be just enough to keep it from freezing

stu