How to defrost a plastic pipe underground with a cable: a quick way

If the water supply is laid above the freezing depth of the soil, it can freeze, which will lead to the interruption of the water supply. What to do in such cases? Digging is not an option; to burn a fire over the pipe - the method will not work if the cork is under the house; pouring salted boiling water is a long time and there is no guarantee of the result. How to quickly warm up a plastic pipe - read on.

What is needed to defrost the pipe

For this method, you need to make a miniature boiler that will melt the ice plug inside the pipe.

You will need:

• rigid two-core cable - 2 * 2.5–4.0 mm (copper, aluminum);
• plug;
• single-phase automatic device (10 A).

The cable length should be calculated from the approximate distance to the end of the ice plug. It is better to take the length with a margin.

What should be done

1. Install a plug on one end of the cable. Install a single-phase circuit breaker at a distance of 20-40 centimeters from the plug on one core. It is better to place the machine in a protective box, and if it is not at hand, it is well insulated.
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2. Strip the other end of the cable from the braid by 15 cm, and then strip one wire by 7 cm. Bend this wire in the opposite direction and make a tight coil of 5 turns around the cable. Make the second wire shorter - 13 cm, bare it by 8 cm, also bend it in the opposite direction and make the second one at a distance of 15-17 mm from the first coil, also of 5 turns.

How to melt

• Shut off the water before starting work! It should not be allowed that water, after thawing the ice plug under pressure, rushes out of the pipe. This is dangerous because work is done with exposed electrical components.

• Then disconnect the pipe. This is best done from home. Pump out some water from the pipe so that it does not pour out when heated. Wipe the workplace dry.
• Lower the unconnected wire into the pipe until it stops. With the end of the cable, you need to feel the ice plug.
• Plug the device into a power outlet. The water in the pipe will begin to heat up and the cork will begin to thaw. As the plug thaws, move the wire further until the pipe is completely defrosted.
• When the ice in the pipe disappears, disconnect the device from the outlet. Next, connect the pipes and open the tap.

Defrosting speed depends on plug length and pipe cross-section, but usually takes 3-10 minutes.

Precautions

This method is only suitable for plastic pipes!

It is necessary to warn the nearest neighbors not to use the water supply during the work and turn off the electric water heaters, if they have any.

How do you defrost pipes? Write in the comments!

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