Overflow pipe freezing

[Pocster]

Solved one problem to create another 🙄

The overflow pipe runs from my mvhr condensation drain so is pretty busy .

Didn’t really want the water just landing on the ground outside and freezing so added a 90 - which I think has now cracked due to freezing water .

I could externally insulate pipe but then I’d need to box it in .

Maybe the pipe just comes out the wall and an air break / tundish ( technical words ! ) before going into a down pipe ( angled like this but no 90 ) .

Any better solutions ?

[Onoff]

Seal up that hole around the pipe for a start where it goes through the wall. Then insulate:

 

 

[joth]

Chat JothPT...

 

To prevent an external condensation pipe from freezing, here are a few measures you can take:

 

1. **Insulation**: Wrap the pipe with foam pipe insulation or heating tape. This will help maintain the temperature above freezing by providing an extra layer of protection against the cold.

 

2. **Use a Heated Cable**: Install a self-regulating heating cable along the pipe. These cables will heat up when the temperature drops and can prevent the pipe from freezing.

 

3. **Redirect the Pipe**: If possible, reroute the pipe to a more sheltered or warmer location, such as along an interior wall or within the house, where temperatures are less likely to drop too low.

 

4. **Maintain Flow**: Ensure the pipe is not completely blocked and allows for continuous drainage. Stagnant water is more likely to freeze, so encouraging a small, consistent flow can help.

 

5. **Cover the Pipe**: Install a protective cover or duct around the pipe, which can help shield it from harsh weather conditions and wind chill.

 

6. **Regular Maintenance**: Check the pipe periodically to ensure it’s not accumulating debris or ice, which can block the flow and contribute to freezing.

 

By combining some or all of these approaches, you can effectively prevent your external condensation pipe from freezing during the colder months.

[Pocster]

20 minutes ago, Onoff said:

Seal up that hole around the pipe for a start where it goes through the wall. Then insulate:

 

 

Yeah but it looks mung . What insulation is that ? - maybe a white version …

[Pocster]

15 minutes ago, joth said:

Chat JothPT...

 

To prevent an external condensation pipe from freezing, here are a few measures you can take:

 

1. **Insulation**: Wrap the pipe with foam pipe insulation or heating tape. This will help maintain the temperature above freezing by providing an extra layer of protection against the cold.

 

2. **Use a Heated Cable**: Install a self-regulating heating cable along the pipe. These cables will heat up when the temperature drops and can prevent the pipe from freezing.

 

3. **Redirect the Pipe**: If possible, reroute the pipe to a more sheltered or warmer location, such as along an interior wall or within the house, where temperatures are less likely to drop too low.

 

4. **Maintain Flow**: Ensure the pipe is not completely blocked and allows for continuous drainage. Stagnant water is more likely to freeze, so encouraging a small, consistent flow can help.

 

5. **Cover the Pipe**: Install a protective cover or duct around the pipe, which can help shield it from harsh weather conditions and wind chill.

 

6. **Regular Maintenance**: Check the pipe periodically to ensure it’s not accumulating debris or ice, which can block the flow and contribute to freezing.

 

By combining some or all of these approaches, you can effectively prevent your external condensation pipe from freezing during the colder months.

Nice one Chat JothPT - I’ve got some questions of a personal nature for you - but I’ll PM them , not allowed to post graphic scenes of a sexual nature .

[Pocster]

I did think of conventional insulation . Won’t it turn to mush exposed outside though by the wonderful weather ?

Looking for a white version 

 

 

[Kelvin]

You can get the black nitrile rubber insulation with a white protective cover like this: 

 

https://www.pipelagging.com/armaflex-tuffcoat-class-o-1m-white-28mm-19mm-wall-underground-waterproof-pipe-insulation?srsltid=AfmBOorjDZqXxvhA4ncqCTJhwnkkGrjYJS5jkSnYEYYL3YjwWHPgkglh

[Pocster]

18 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

You can get the black nitrile rubber insulation with a white protective cover like this: 

 

https://www.pipelagging.com/armaflex-tuffcoat-class-o-1m-white-28mm-19mm-wall-underground-waterproof-pipe-insulation?srsltid=AfmBOorjDZqXxvhA4ncqCTJhwnkkGrjYJS5jkSnYEYYL3YjwWHPgkglh

That’s better visually for sure . Not cheap though . I probably need 2 metres . But a black lagged pipe outside is gonna bug me 

[Pocster]

What about this ?

Rubber not foam - not use how effective it would be .

[Kelvin]

The dearer stuff will last and is wipe clean. No idea about that cheap stuff. Does it say anywhere it’s suitable for exterior use? You could wrap the pipe in something to insulate it then fit a larger diameter plastic pipe over the top although you’d need to figure out how to seal to the wall. 

[Conor]

What diameter is it? Should be 32 or 40mm.

[Russell griffiths]

Re plumb it and keep it all internally. 

[Pocster]

18 minutes ago, Conor said:

What diameter is it? Should be 32 or 40mm.

21mm

[Pocster]

18 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

Re plumb it and keep it all internally. 

Not possible ; (expletive deleted) me ! Dig up the floor , rip down ceiling - (expletive deleted) that ! . Though I did think of that 1st 😊

[Pocster]

48 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

The dearer stuff will last and is wipe clean. No idea about that cheap stuff. Does it say anywhere it’s suitable for exterior use? You could wrap the pipe in something to insulate it then fit a larger diameter plastic pipe over the top although you’d need to figure out how to seal to the wall. 

Yeah I did think of normal insulation - then larger white pipe over the lot . Problem is this newly lagged pipes gonna be thicker than my man twang .

[Conor]

17 minutes ago, Pocster said:

21mm

In that case upsize to 40mm before it goes through the wall and you won't have any issues. It's a bit of work but it's the proper job and no messing around with insulation.

[Pocster]

11 minutes ago, Conor said:

In that case upsize to 40mm before it goes through the wall and you won't have any issues. It's a bit of work but it's the proper job and no messing around with insulation.

Nah ! I (expletive deleted)ed about to get my double trap to 21 ( as supplied and recommended by vent axia ) . Don’t make more work for me ! 😭🤠

[TerryE]

Once insulation gets (even slightly) wet then the U-value collapses.  I would route the pipe vertically, and box it in with a mineral packing in between the pipe and the boxing.

Edited 4 hours ago by TerryE

[Pocster]

2 minutes ago, TerryE said:

Once insulation gets (even slightly) wet then the U-value collapses.  I would route the pipe vertically, and box it in with a mineral packing in between the pipe and the boxing.

Yeah - somehow I knew this was safest route . Boxed in how / with what ? - not keen on timber . Some form of plastic ?

[Pocster]

Still thinking lag this 21mm with normal lagging . Then slide a larger pipe over it - to protect insulation and also keep it white . The 90 bend on outer pipe might be a challenge to get over the 21 …

[Kelvin]

The stuff I linked is waterproof and can be installed underground so is robust. Assuming it’s UV stable just fit that. Quickest and easiest way to deal with the problem. 

[Pocster]

21 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

The stuff I linked is waterproof and can be installed underground so is robust. Assuming it’s UV stable just fit that. Quickest and easiest way to deal with the problem. 

OD of my pipe is 23mm ; that fit in there ( it states 19mm )? What do I do where it goes 90 ? . Just cut 45 in vertical and short horizontal? Marry them up .

[Bramco]

1 hour ago, Pocster said:

then larger white pipe over the lot

Why not use white square section downpipe with the pipe inside and some lagging shoved in.  

[Pocster]

3 minutes ago, Bramco said:

Why not use white square section downpipe with the pipe inside and some lagging shoved in.  

Yeah - worth a look 

[Kelvin]

It comes in different sizes and is flexible so it might bend round the pipe enough 

 

https://www.armacell.com/sites/g/files/vzwtwi156/files/2025/01/09/ArmaFlex Tuffcoat - Product Brochure - en-GB.pdf