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12-20-2004, 08:45 AM
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#1
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Somewhere between NY & LA
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 43
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Heat's on...can pipes be frozen?
Good Morning,
This morning the outside temp was 5 degrees, inside my GT was 55.
I have no water in the kitchen or bath.
I opened all the cabinet doors and sofas, to let heat into the more inaccessable areas.
I thought all water lines were inside and if the heat was on they wouldn't freeze.
Any sugestions?
Thanks!
Courtney
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12-20-2004, 08:54 AM
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#2
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,408
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I'm not sure of the year when A/S started the practice of ducting the furnace to the water pipes. Did you run your furnace or are you using some other source of heat?
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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12-20-2004, 09:00 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Be cautious. I assume you are operating off the tank and pump, and don't have it hooked up to city water.
1. turn off or disable the pump until the lines are thawed. If the pipes are frozen and break a fitting, when it thaws you will have a major leak. You DON'T want that to happen if the pump is turned on, and you're not there.
2. if you are hooked up to an outside water supply, the first thing to freeze will be the hose from the yard hydrant or hose bib.
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12-20-2004, 12:00 PM
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#4
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Somewhere between NY & LA
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 43
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Thanks for the help,
It is a 63 Globetrotter. I have the air pressure system- no water pump.
I was not hooked up to a hose.
How can I thaw it out enough to drain it?
I was thinking about heating up the through-hull fittings carefully with a propane torch. Thats most likely how the cold transfered in.
How about lighting the water heater?
I have to tow it to Michigan tomorrow, so I'd like to get it sorted out today!
Thanks again,
Courtney
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12-20-2004, 12:29 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Sovereign
Texas Airstream Harbor
, Zavalla, in the Deep East Texas Piney Woods on Lake Sam Rayburn
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,435
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How about.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotek
I have to tow it to Michigan tomorrow, so I'd like to get it sorted out today!
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...finding a heated garage or hanger you can rent for the night and in the morning, before you leave, throw some "pink stuff" at all of the liquid tanks/lines/drains......
There is a possibility that the water lines are routed next to the outer skin (with no insulation between the line and the outer skin), allowing the "cold" to conduct to the metal directly through the skin.....be careful on thawing - you could have water all over the place if a line happened to burst!
__________________
Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
WBCCI # 1113
AirForums #1737
Trailer '78 31' Sovereign
Living Large at an Airstream Park on the Largest Lake Totally Contained in Texas
Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc.
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12-20-2004, 01:13 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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I always use a hair dryer instead of a propane torch. One little mistake with a torch and you have a funny looking spot in the aluminum.
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12-20-2004, 01:28 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
...One little mistake with a torch and you have a funny looking spot in the aluminum.
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Or in the driveway!
Tom
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12-20-2004, 06:11 PM
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#8
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Somewhere between NY & LA
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 43
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Well I found the problem: the water supply line runs through the fridge vent. Very cold in there.
I got it thawed out with my ceramic heater but it froze again almost immediatly. My second problem is that the drains are frozen, so when I did have it unblocked, I couldn't drain the system. It's COLD here and I'm right on the water.
I'm at Home Depot now. I got 6 feet of electric heat tape, some insulation and some zip ties.
Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer...
Wish me luck!
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12-21-2004, 05:44 AM
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#9
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,766
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Courtney... first... went to Tom's website and looked at your GT... it's gorgeous! What a fine trailer!
Regarding your problem, Dennis' suggestion was probably the best... find a heated garage or storage place where you can let the trailer thaw and you can properly winterize it. After it's thawed, thoroughly check every inch of line for splitting. If it has the original copper water lines, you may have some real problems. I had a '61 Bambi that I essentially had to re-plumb because of split pipes because of freezing.
Your lines may or may not be damaged, depending on how thoroughly they froze. Don't forget your shower plumbing either; it's also exposed to freezing, but not visible behind the wall. It appears that your GT has the unducted, gravity space-heater furnace that was typical of that era. It doesn't push warm air to the places you need it, so your tanks and drain plumbing are also at risk.
Good luck, and keep us posted about how you made out!
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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12-21-2004, 07:48 AM
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#10
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Somewhere between NY & LA
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 43
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Thanks for the compliment Roger, and many thanks to all for the helpful suggestions.
I put some heat tape on the offending pipe last night and the water was fine this morning. The system seems to be holding pressure without the compressor kicking in, so I'm hoping nothing split (still have my fingers crossed)
I'm at Ace Hardware now looking for a heat gun. After I thaw my drains I'll winterize properly then drive to Michigan!
Thanks again,
Courtney
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12-16-2008, 01:14 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1964 26' Overlander
Prince George
, BC
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 40
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Well, looks like I may have a similar problem. Temps down to 19. Thought all was well with all the closet and kitchen cupboard doors open. I get water in the kitchen sink, but nothing in the bathroom. I have a 1500w heater blowing through the back clothes closet, under the bed (even though it's metal lined - so doesn't get to lines), and radiant heat under the kitchen sink. I'm not cold, but somewhere it must be. Here's hoping nothing's broke.. but it's late and I gotta sleep. Or, should I be out there with a blow dryer.. eek!
Christina
75 Sovereign
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