Freezing pipes

[Jacko]

hi not posted for a while, i have a lockshield to change tomorrow and have to freeze due to size of system only using disposable stuff any help or advice much appreciated how much distance do you need before the valve to freeze it
thankyou in advance

 

[albatross]

Never had much luck with freezing/its expensive. I often bung the header tank, create a vacuum and use some towels.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Hire a decent freezing machine. The disposable stuff is not great to be honest.

 

[snowhead]

Advice;

Plenty of rags
A few buckets
More than 1 can of freezing stuff.
Make sure the water you are trying to freeze is cold and unlikely to get hot.

 

[Jacko]

how long do you get once frozen only ever seen it done by otheres not done my self

 

[SimonG]

Is it open vented or sealed?

 

[The Goose]

I have done loads. Either hire an electric one like the rothenberger rofrost turbo etc or a polar freeze kit like Commercial Pipe Freezing System | Specialist Plumbing | NoLinkingToThis

Shut boilers and pumps down and wait to cool to room temp. Electric machine keeps going forever and cans last a fair while ie 20 mins plus.
Dont freeze under where you are working as any water dripping will melt the ice plug. Have a cap and new valve etc ready! Relax and have a cuppa while you wait for it to freeze :shades_smile:

 

[townfanjon]

I bought a pipe freezer years ago, on a job like this its the absolute dogs !!!

As said, hire one, but pass the invoice on to the custard, and explain how much he is saving.

 

[Ermintrude]

Freeze behind a elbow, means you get a warning dribble before plug flies out

 

[northcarr]

Hire a decent freezing machine. The disposable stuff is not great to be honest.

Couldn't agree more with you ray I had a few problems with the cans , I bought my own electric freed machine well worth the money never let me down.

 

[Jacko]

thanks for all the advice guys much appreciated plans have changed now im workin with lad i usually work with but were hiring machine spoke to boss and sorted thanks again for your help

 

[Riley]

Couldn't agree more with you ray I had a few problems with the cans , I bought my own electric freed machine well worth the money never let me down.

Agreed. I do quite a lot of stuff in a couple of dementia care homes where heating and hot water cannot be off for any length of time. Electric pipe freezer makes it a doddle

 

[Gray0689]

Just do it live no bother

 

[lame plumber]

let us know how much a freezer unit is to hire, need to check Im not undercharging mine when I use it

 

[Jacko]

think its £55 a day from our local hss hire for day and somethin like 30 quid a day extra after that

whats a decent freezing machine name just out of interest lookin round on ebay

 

[lame plumber]

been charging just right then, cheers all

 

[acecharly]

You can get guys to come round with nitrogen for big jobs. Had to do it a few times. They just tape tin foil loosely around the pipe and poor it in with polystyrene cups. Takes about 5 mins on 2" pipe.

Possibly a bit to much for a job like this. But if your going to use cans or if there is the slightest possibility of running out of time would you not be wise to put a compression valve in the line either side of whatever your doing?

 

[Ermintrude]

Liquid nitrogen is awesome!

 

[chris watkins]

Liquid nitrogen is awesome!

at −196 °C there is not a lot that won't freeze & sometime possible even if there is a little movement of the water, which the others can't do.

 

[mutley racers]

Great for cooking with too

 

[Killy Bing]

Liquid nitrogen is awesome!

+ lock + lump hammer.....

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Hire a decent freezing machine. The disposable stuff is not great to be honest.

Totally agree, you'll pick up a decent freezing kit for a day for under £50?.
Remember to turn the system off first

 

[IDCHAPPY]

at −196 °C there is not a lot that won't freeze & sometime possible even if there is a little movement of the water, which the others can't do.

 

[acecharly]

The guys we used had so much work on they said they could work 24hrs a day if they didnt have to sleep. They had a small van with a tank in the back. Goit it on there hands loads never used gloves surprised me. said aslong as they didnt leave there hand in it there was no danger.

I was dying to get a rose and dunk it in then bring it out and crush it like you see on all the science programmes lol

 

[chris watkins]

Yes very good IDCHAPPY but it was just a special effect in a film & not real !!! :stooge_curly:

 

[Ermintrude]

Used to use it to cool ftir machines back in uni days has a tartan thermos as preferred decanter! Safety first! Used to throw it on floor and watch it boil away!

 

[acecharly]

If you put it in a palstic bottle and put the lid on and leave it to warm up.....oh hold better not go any further with this knowledge, apart from the fact that it takes up 600 times as much room at room temprature lol

 

[Ermintrude]

One silly billy put a lid on transfer wheels bin in corridor in summer

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Yes very good IDCHAPPY but it was just a special effect in a film & not real !!! :stooge_curly:

Not real??? aww man... i remember going to see that in the cinema when it came out, i was 14 1/2.. i was a bit choked up at the end when Arnie died

 

[acecharly]

awesome ....check this.


Explosion: Liquid Nitrogen in Bottle - YouTube