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.)