82Views6Replies
frozen water bib?
I am a stupid widow who forgot to unhook her hose from the outside bib and now it is frozen on. Should I try to get it off in freezing weather or should I leave it alone till it warms up? Also, how do I even get it off the bib without causing major water damage? Thank you for any help
Comments
4 years ago
If it's the hose you're worried about then you should be fine. It's flexible enough that having water frozen in it likely won't cause any damage. Once it thaws pull it off until you need it again.
If you want to get it off in the cold just take some warm water (probably not boiling, that could cause different problems) and pour if on where the threads are between the bib and the hose. You don't need it to thaw entirely, just enough to free the threads. Once it's off get one of those insulated caps at a hardware store, they should only be a few bucks, and cover the bib.
Answer 4 years ago
Thank you so much for such a fast reply! It is not the hose I am worried about, it is the bib. It goes into the crawl space of the house and I am worried that since it has frozen I will have a mess under there come Spring if I don't get that hose off and cover the bib. I have no idea what I am talking about but it doesn't seem good to me!!
Answer 4 years ago
Alright, Instructables just killed a long reply so here's the quick version.
I'd thaw the hose connection and install a insulation cap as soon as you can. Next check, or even better make someone else check, the crawlspace to make sure the pipe isn't burst already. If it is get it fixed ASAP before it thaws.
If you live in a region that regularly sees below freezing temps then I suspect your house may already have anti-frost bibs (the stopcock is ~12" long so the stopped water is held away from the cold outside temps). Unless the bib was open when it froze that should prevent damage to the pipes in the house (the bib may be damaged near the nozzle if there was residual water frozen in it).
4 years ago
when a hose bib freezes and breaks, typically it does not leak into the crawlspace until it is openned again. The actual valve seals about a foot inside the house.
4 years ago
For things frozen by water, including car door locks, alcohol works really well.
Methylated sprit is the cheapest unless you run your own still in the shed.
Use a spray bottle, dripper or whatever fits to get to where the water is causing trouble.
The alcohol mixes with the water even when frozen and with a bit of time and repeating the process all ice can be removed withough causing any heat expansion.
If you are worried about the cold damaging the pipe check if you have a seperate shut off valve for this line in a warmer location.
Quite often people add this so the water can be drained from the line before the frost comes.
Answer 4 years ago
Thank you so much, I really appreciate the quick response and I will run out back to the "still" and fill up the flask!!! Thank you!