42mm copper - will it freeze?

[Bunker]

Im used to working up to 28 max but Ive been asked to move a big (oil) boiler running on 42mm. I need to move it across a yard and into a brick out house. The builders will dig me a trench. Its a collossal house with zones everywhere. I would love to be able to freeze the pipes, add isolators, cut, move etc. I have the Rothenberger RoFrost Turbo but never tried on anything that big. Anyone advice please?

While we're at it, the trench will be under flagstones, its listed property. I was thinking of slipping each pipe (just F&R) into some soil pipe, or even 86mm guttering down pipe (with insulation obviously), any other thoughts? Ive looked at the proper thermal gear but it worked out at over £800 + VAT for 10 metres.

I thank'ee.

 

[stevetheplumber]

trace heating?

 

[Mike Jackson]

trace heating?

That will make it impossible to freeze with the rofrost. Did you read the original post?

 

[Bunker]

trace heating?

Really? I think with adequate insulation and a frost stat it should be ok no?

 

[Reg Man]

Come on peep's read the opening thread. You wish to freeze the pipes to install isolation valves to enable the extension work for moving the boiler. The kit you currently have will not do the job. You will need an industrial standard freezer kit to ensure a satisfactory change over. To be honest, I think it would be more cost effective to drain it down. As for the insulation, it must be water proof and up to an effective insulation factor. This will require a professional insulation job, don't try to scrimp and scrape using soil pipe filled with lagging, it will not meet the requirement and will bite you on the bum at a latter date, costing you more than you could have possibly imagined, when you get into litigation and are required to put it right.

 

[lame plumber]

use the correct gear, preinsulated pipework in waterproof tubing is the way. Im having to rip out and replace some underground plastic pipe in sept pulled through a conduit and cheap insulation on it, its full of water and warming the soil nicely at present! re freezing, just drain and go, then youll be flushing prior to recommissioning anyhow!

 

[Gray0689]

Eco flex pipe will be much better and in long run will pay for itself

 

[Jimbob]

Definitely have to use heat main/ eco flex. What ever you want to call it. You can freeze 42mm with the right freeze master kit. Speak to your local hire company

 

[Roger Welton]

If something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing, liquid nitrogen should do nicely.

[DLMURL="http://www.pipefreeze.co.uk/pipefreezing.htm"]Pipefreezing[/DLMURL]

Otherwise the larger freeze master kit will do up to 61mm.


Oh and definitely use the proper pipe, never worth cutting corners it'll always come back and bite you.