Pipes frozen: what's top tier in pipe heating cable?

Propane tank isn't cutting it. Anyone used pipe heating cable before?

What brand do you recommend?

 

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, I'm going through the same thing here in Pa. It seems the previous genius buried the line at 27" not 40" where it should be.My well is frozen no water for a week yet. was going to tackle it myself. Will have to call a plumber because I simply don't have the time right now. I lost the fucking transaxle last night.I have to do a little research myself as far as heating pads. If i find anything interesting, will keep you apprised. I cant use a torch because my line is poly, will more than likely encase it in a box with expanding foam and a heating pad as well.

 

For work; on walkin freezer drain lines we use Raychem. Supposedly self regulating, you can buy it by the foot, get an end/termination kit and good to go. Sold in 120 and 208v flavors
Id much rather use the by the foot stuff vs predetermined length even if it’s more work with the termination kits

 

website is down

 

I normally get it from a refrigeration supply house, look up one local to yourself

 

Let me be more clear. A client / friend of mine's renter failed to leave the water running during this icemageddon we've had. It's been below zero at night (and in the day) here in southern WV for two weeks now. Not every night but many nights.

His rental house pipes froze.

I went over there again last night (few hours ago) and found the basement to be much warmer. CPVC pipes there are mostly insulated, not the best insulation job but good work for whatever crackhead* was hired. Can't tell a lot by touch but not too cold by the feel.

Pipes coming in the wall are steel. Very cold there. The renter's live-in boyfriend believes the freeze has occurred in the ground between meter and wall.

I may still try the heated pipe cable but we may just have to wait for warmer temps. For now the renters are showering at the owner's house, across the street.

Yesterday I took over 4 propane tanks (20 gallons each) and a two-burner attachment and tried to heat up the basement. I showed the boyfriend how to do that. He was changing out the tanks in the attempt to heat up the area and thaw the pipes. He said "the heater worked really well and the pipes warmed to the touch but still nothing."

I think it's much too snowy and too cold to try and dig up the buried pipes. They'll just have to keep showering at his house if the freeze has indeed occurred under the ground.

I need to get richer friends I guess....... people that don't constantly need some sort of repair.

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Robert, I am sorry about your axle. Ugh. This event has definitely caused me to want the backhoe setup for a tractor I was on the fence for.

Lowes' has a 30 foot cable heater for about $60.00 or something. I may still get that and try that. Gotta do what I can. My friend is sick with the flu right now and can't help but the live-in boyfriend is pretty handy and easy for me to work with.

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Crackhead repairman: the friend's mother ran this rental before he took over and she had a habit of literally hiring "guys off the street." Crackheads work very cheap but so is the quality of work.

 

Yeah its an all around shitty situation, funny thing is i have a case backhoe but I'm waiting for parts for carb. Cant find the damn things anywhere. I being the dumb ass sheared offf the main nozzle.At least the snow is melting a bit. Waiting on parts for snowblower as well. Always something....

 

Hopefully you get the parts and get things going again!

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Update: client/friend called today and told me the pipes have begun to flow! It's a bit warmer today (still below freezing) but warmer. I assume that was enough.

I'm very glad as ugh.....I really didn't want to have to dig up those pipes! The owner is responsible for what's between the meter and the house. This rental is in a very bad neighborhood (lots of drugs, felons, crackheads, hookers, etc.) and apparently, plumbers won't come out. I would, if I was a plumber. Maybe I should become a plumber.

So one more ice-related issue taken care of. (At least for now, may have a leak there and have to dig that up in spring).

I think I'll go out and plow the driveway now (something ice-related).