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    just4karen's Avatar
    just4karen Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 28, 2008, 01:07 PM
    Frozen drains in mobile home
    I live in a mobile home and when it got to be 45 below zero (in wisconsin), my water froze. But then that unthawed, but when I took a shower the water went down the drain, and went in to my bathtub and toilet. I have had standing water in my tub for about 3 weeks and have had to stay with friends. Anyone have any suggestions? Would putting a heater under my house work? Or since it has been so long and it is still cold, would that damage the pipes? I don't want to have busted pipes, but I want to go home.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 28, 2008, 02:00 PM
    Hey JFK... Sorry to hear your problem.. *frown*.

    Let's see if we can help a little on our end. First, your water pipes unfroze... and there were no leaks after pipes unfroze?

    YOU are luckier than you know if that is the case. Usually in conditions like you mention, pipe freezes... thaws.. and then they find that pipe not only froze but burst as well. Anyway, some good news for you (as long as pipes are thawed)!

    Now, the drains. Well, I would rent a salamander type heater and blow hot air under the mobile home until drain pipes unfroze... most likely you will find a ptrap or two broken... PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A SALAMANDER TYPE HEATER UNMANNED FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME...CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF LEFT UNATTENDED.

    That should unfreeze pipes for you... after that... well.. have to see what happens after that. Get back to me, let me know what you think... there are other options as well.

    Keep us posted... would like to see you go home soon!
    just4karen's Avatar
    just4karen Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 28, 2008, 02:02 PM
    Ok, I have no idea about this stuff.. but what is a ptrap? And are they expensive to replace? Also is a salamander heater like a nippco?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Feb 28, 2008, 02:44 PM
    A salamander looks like the attached picture. Any local rental store should have complete setup including the salamander, a cord, and a propane tank with attached tubing (attaches tank to salamander). Now you know why you cannot leave unattended.

    A ptrap is the u shaped pipe at the bottom of your tub, for example, or under your sink. I bet the one under tub is cracked. It should not be too expensive to fix.

    Get back to me with any more questions.. ok?
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