Stop water from freezing

[OverkillYJ]

So I have a bathroom in my garage. Unfortunately the water lines froze and broke before I bought the house and garage. They are buried and I would rather not dig them up since they are under concrete. There are also two lines that go to heaters, one for feed and one for return off of the furnace. Those have been disconnected. As far as heating the garage I am going to get a propane heater and put in a cast iron fireplace as well so I will be removing the heaters. I figure I could convert the old heater pipes to water, but they will be running above ground through the garage to the bathroom (thinking along the wall) about 40ft. What can I do to stop them from freezing if I do this? I live in Philadelphia so the winters aren't horrible, but definitely get below freezing most of the time. I would really like to get this bathroom back in working order so I don't need to go in the house every time I need to take a leak.

 

[rsanter]

Install new lines overhead through the garage space.
Install heater strips to prevent freezing

Bob

 

[sands35]

There may be lots of scale inside the heater pipes. Might not be drinkable.

The simple way is to use those electric pipe wraps with a thermostat.

The best way is to keep the garage above 32*F.

How well insulated is it?

 

[plumbstupid]

You run the risk that those heater pipes have had some nasty chemicals ran thru them over the years.

You would be better of running new lines over head with pex. If you use pex, and the lines do freeze again atleast they will not bust and flood your house or garage when the line thaws out. Pex will freeze but it will expand and not rupture.

 

[OverkillYJ]

I never heard of pex before. Is it comparable to copper pricing?

The garage is detached though and would cost too much to heat 24/7. Insulation is so so. It is old and some is good some is bad, I need to buy some more to replace the bad. Heat tape I have heard of but never used. The hot water heater is about 5 years old. As far as drinking water, I am not worried about that since I will be putting a fridge out there anyway. I really just want to put in a urinal, use the toilet, and wash my hands.

 

[Sureshot]

Have you tried fishing a new line through the old one? It can be done if you don't have fittings in the line.

 

[CNGsaves]

Have you tried fishing a new line through the old one? It can be done if you don't have fittings in the line.

^ ^ This might be good idea. I've heard that "Roto Rooter" type vendors have fixed some cracked PVC plumbing lines by pulling through a pull line that is slathered with epoxy glue and seals up the existing line. This might have been non-pressure lines versus pressurized . . . don't know for sure. Might make some phone calls before you give up on existing pipes.

 

[OverkillYJ]

I have not tried anything with these, but between the house and the garage there are a few bends. It is not even possible to get a fish tape through it.

 

[Highbeam]

I never heard of pex before. Is it comparable to copper pricing?

.

Whoa! PEX is wonderful stuff. No soldering, it is flexible to a 6" radius (the 1/2" stuff) and is easily repaired and installed. The pex flows better too.

It is significantly cheaper than copper. So so much cheaper. Cheaper to buy and cheaper to install.

It is not rigid like copper.

 

[OverkillYJ]

That is awesome. I just found a website dedicated to PEX. I am assuming I could use heat tape on it still?