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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Whens it safe to turn on the water
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Eddy G
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2020 19:29
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Normally I've waited until May. The night time temps are mostly above 40 and don't tend to dip under 32.
But how long does it take to freeze a pipe or water system? Would a night under 30 and a day at 50 be okay? I don't know.

Our cabin is in south western New Hampshire.
Temperatures are still being forecasted to reach below freezing at night. Not every night but randomly and I'm thinking it only takes one really cold one to cause some problems.

I'm wondering what others may be doing, how, when etc..

Irrigation Guy
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2020 21:01
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I was wondering the same as I plan my trip this weekend to upstate NY. If you have warm days and an insulated house it probably won’t freeze if it dips below freezing over night. That being said I think I will drain it when I leave anyway just to be safe.

Eddy G
Member
# Posted: 10 Mar 2020 21:27
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That’s what I was thinking.
It isn’t all that big a deal to fill and drain the system.
I do really try and get every bit of water out in the fall.
I use an air compressor to blow out any all water I can.
Can’t see a drop or two of water causing any trouble in these conditions...

justins7
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2020 17:23
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I have a place in upstate NY and we usually wait until mid-May to turn on the water for the season. However, since it's getting warmer overall (climate change) I may do it sooner. As for now all it takes is one night temps dipping into the teens or twenties and that'll freeze the pipes — so I'll wait. But one night right below freezing is probably okay.

cspot
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2020 19:58
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In a well insulated building it will likely be ok. However I look at it as it only takes me a few minutes for me to run RV antifreeze thru my system which is alot less costly than fixing broken pipes or having my tankless water heater broke and having to replace. Not to mention the time to fix it.

Eddy G
Member
# Posted: 11 Mar 2020 20:21
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Quoting: cspot
it only takes me a few minutes for me to run RV antifreeze thru my system


So you pump antifreeze in to you water lines and then drain it.
Doesn’t that have some affect on water quality, taste and texture?
Plus I’d be a little worried I’d have traces of antifreeze in my pressure tank, hot water heater etc

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 12 Mar 2020 09:20
Reply 


I would use it. If you’re concerned you can leave a trickle of water flowing in the sink. I know folks who have to let their toilets continue to trickle all winter.

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