Comments on: I live in a mobile home and I have problems keeping the pipes and the water pump from freezing.Suggestions?

By: quackpotwatcher

quackpotwatcher — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:39:59 +0000

use space heaters
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By: alleykhad607

alleykhad607 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:30:59 +0000

go to home depo or Lowe’s and buy a heat tape and insulation
and follow the directions on the heat tape package
you will need to no how long the pipes are ,and you will need a roll of duct tape
the heat tape plugs in and keeps the pipes warm
every year you unplug it in the summer and plug in back in when it gets cold
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By: thewrangler_sw

thewrangler_sw — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:49:59 +0000

Im a service consultant, and I handle a lot of mobile home warranty contracts.

You need to apply a heat tape product to the pipes… you should already have an outlet under the house, near the main water supply entrance just for this purpose. The heat tape, should be taped (electrical tape) to the top of the pipes, with the thermostat end, at the coldest point, i.e., near the skirting. Then the pipes need to be wrapped in insulation, and plastic (to prevent condensation). This is all fairly easy and straightforward work, a day, is all it should take to complete it.

One trick — when you go to work under the home… buy a roll of 6 mil plastic… it comes in rolls of about 10ft x 25ft, or longer… I like to cut sections of it, and lay it out to crawl on…. I dont get as dirty this way. Actually… I’ll add a little tip here… If the ground under the home is dirt, you should have a layer of this type of plastic covering it anyway, to cut down on moisture buildup.

Moisture buildup is the enemy of a home…. it warps the joists, creates mold & mildew, etc. For this reason, you should NEVER block the ventilation around the home. A home that is NOT properly vented underneath WILL SUFFER DAMAGE. Most manufacturers will also VOID your warranty if you do not have the proper ventilation. Lack of proper ventilation creates a great deal of very expensive repairs down the road.

Im an old hand at this…. insall the heat tape and insulating wrap….do not block the ventilation.

Have Fun
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By: kimmi_35

kimmi_35 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:09:59 +0000

We have fought the same problem. But here you go:
1. Wrap your pipes in electric heat tape then cover with the insulation wrap that is made to go over heat tape. Plug in and it will warm pipes.
2. Make sure skirting is up and blocks wind from pipes…use a bale or two of straw to insulate spots that freeze more than others.
3. Leave a small stream of water, pencil lead size, running from each faucet that is in an area that freezes often. This movement of the water through the pipes will keep the pipes and pump from freezing up.
4. Use a small milkhouse heater or heat lamp in the well house to keep pump from freezing if you have access to it and freezing is a problem. Ususally doing #3 will keep the pump from freezing up.
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Experience.

By: toothacres

toothacres — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:43:59 +0000

The simplest solution is to simply let one of your faucets drip on cold nights. You don't need to let it run hard....just a very slow drip will keep things from freezing up.
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By: deevon911

deevon911 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:33:59 +0000

insulate the pipes or if just insulation is not enough you can actually buy a wrap that wraps around the pipes and that plugs in and puts out enough heat to keep them from freezing, as far as the pump you can build a small "pump house" around it. something insulated and if needed keep a small heater in there set low but warm enough to keep it from freezing. also most pumps are installed under ground where I'm from, so maybe you can check into that. good luck
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By: mary j

mary j — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:17:59 +0000

you will have to call a plumber...lol
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By: John S

John S — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:07:59 +0000

Wrapping the pump and pipes with enough insulation should normally help, if not, electric heat tape will warm the pipes and pump enought to keep from freezing. Piling straw around them and covering the straw with a tarp will help, too.
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By: yancychipper

yancychipper — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:20:59 +0000

go to a home improvement store such as Lowe's or Home Depot and look in the insulation department (you can ask for help). They sell insulation kits to protect your water pump. Very simple. If all else fails wrap it in an old blanket.
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By: KATHY A

KATHY A — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:44:59 +0000

You're going to have to get dirty! Get under the home and wrap your pipes (they sale wrap just for keeping your pipes warm). Also any place around the skirting of your mobile home that lets alot of air thru should be insulated to prevent as much air flow (not all).
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