"Norminn" wrote in message
...
This is a new issue for me. Daughter bought new home this summer, a
two-story brick 4500 sq ft. Gas heat, two separate systems, with laundry
and gas heater on second story. Washer and dryer on second story, in
bonus room above garage. Busy with t-giving and didn't look hard enough
for trouble, but when she told me what was going on I got
alarmed.....garage still has stuff not moved into the house yet, and is
good path for three dogs in and out of house so it stays open. Not real
detail oriented cause they are more into bigger projects ) So, daughter
tells me her washer won't work when it is real cold out....commercial
type, brand unknown. Well, did you try running water upstairs first?
Adjust temp setting on washer? Nothing worked until it warmed up
outdoors. So, we go exploring....in corner of garage, back side of
fireplace, is inset covered with pegboard...all utils to 2nd story
apparently go up there. At base of pegboard are two happy little water
shutoff valves! There appears to be a water stain all the way down from
top to the valves........good grief.....brain cells start firing......the
house two doors down, same size and design, has had a dumpster parked out
front for months, repairing flood damage from broken pipe. So,
questions....is heat tape a good idea on these water pipes? Matter whether
copper or pvc? Different types of heat tape? I've read of alarms...go on
a main line or just appliance? Recommendations from experience would be
appreciated. (Yeah, she is leaving the heater on in the garage....might
have to have one or two teenagers go without food. They have four.)


Just move somewhere it doesn't freeze.