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 Low Cost Solution To The Billion Dollar Frozen Pipe Problem |
Directions: To print directions, go to File > Print > will print 3 pages (depends on your printer setup)ICE-LOC® is easily snipped (not sliced) with scissors or side cutters (wire cutters), not a knife (doesn’t cut properly with a knife). It is best to cut Ice-loc at an angle to make it easier to put clip on to the core and also allows water traverse over core much easier. After clip is on the core, you can now expose twine at the end of the core if needed for splicing, snip around diameter of core with end of scissors or cutters (three or four cuts). Be careful not to cut the twine. Now pull length of rubber you snipped off. (See Fig. 1A, 1B, 1C) Note: To expose more twine, you might have to remove in approximately 1/2 inch chunks, since Elastomer adheres to twine and is difficult to pull off in one long piece. If not making a splice, just leave core as picture shows in 2A , no exposed twine.
The application of ICE-LOC® core to a pipe involves insertion of the core in to a pipe system, anchoring the core with a spring clip. Allow as much length of core as needed at the beginning or end of pipe to adjoining valve, or just make a splice for continuation etc.
There aren’t a set number of clips that should be used for a particular application. One wants the ICE-LOC® core to stay in place so it doesn’t move lengthwise. The core can still move in pipe as water may move it side to side. The clips prevent the movement of the core as water flows past its length. This will prevent the core from slipping forward with the flow of the water and interfering with a water valve or other fittings, which have mechanical movement. Core must be present up to, but not interfering with the action of a valve (ball, butterfly or gate valve etc.) or other devices present on the pipeline which may have mechanical movement. It is important to use the proper size core for the pipe size you are working with. For example, if you are increasing or decreasing pipe dimension at the point of change on a pipe run (say 1 in to 3/4), make sure core is the proper size for that particular pipe. One core size to another core size can be accomplished by stripping the elastomer back on both cores. You can now tie the exposed twine from each core to one another with a good knot as you pull both cores together. (Fig. 3A)
Note: When using metal pipe (copper and steel), the pipe cutter will always leave a folded lip at the end of the
cut (by code, it should be reamed off but it almost always is left there).
If you can't get clip passed lip, file is used to cut 2 slots thru the lip, to allow the clip to traverse passed the lip and be pushed into the pipe. (See Fig 4A, 4B, 4C)
1/2, 3/4 and 1 inch Pipe Diameters. Core Diameters use:
Stainless steel spring clips complement pipe sizes (1/2 in. for 1/2 in. pipe, 3/4 in pipe etc…). ICE-LOC® should be used in pipes made of PVC Schedule 40 or better, Type L copper, steel or galvanized pipes. Type M copper can also benefit from ICE-LOC® during freezing conditions but keep in mind that Type M copper typically has a very thin wall and may not survive many freeze cycles. If Type M is in place, using ICE-LOC® can prolong the pipe's lifespan. Copper Specifications:
For a small difference in price, use Type L. It will save you money in the long run. Core diameters will be smaller in pipe when water pressure compresses core. There's a reduction of volume output, but not pressure with core in pipe. There is a 16-26% change, depending in pipe diameter and water pressure. Most plumbing systems are designed to move more water than is necessary. This loss in volume can be made up by just turning the water on higher. It is important to use good condition pipe, correct pipe type, and proper plumbing skills, when applying ICE-LOC® to your plumbing system. Pipe wall is greatly stressed when frozen. Pipes that are deteriorated may not handle a full freeze stressed condition even with the use of ICE-LOC®. ICE-LOC® can be applied to a section of pipe such as a water faucet that disappears into a wall or into the ground. A core of a few feet can be pushed into the pipe, (when water valve is removed), terminated with a spring clip, leaving enough core beyond clip so that when valve is put back, core comes close to the water valve seat but doesn’t interfere with action of the valve. Pipe will be protected from the valve to the length of core you inserted and possibly more. That may be all that you want to protect or need to prevent outside temperatures from bursting faucet or pipe going into the wall or under ground beyond the freeze zone. It should be apparent that only one spring clip can be applied where you opened the pipe at the valve etc. where the few feet of core is being pushed into the pipe. This will suffice. At the free floating end that goes inside pipe first, it is a good idea to snip core at a sharp angle (Fig. 1A) instead at 90 degrees. The core will allow water to slide past the core much easier than to have water hitting a blunt surface cut, since there is no way to put a spring clip at this free floating end inside the pipe. In copper pipe that is using low temperature solder joints, core can withstand solder temperature with propane torch as long as these temperatures aren’t surpassed or exposed to continued heating, with core in pipe and pipe fittings. Core cannot however withstand the high temperatures of the pipe when certain applications require the use of high temperatures solders such as silver solder (not to be confused with the low temp. silver solder used to replace leaded solder). These high temperature joints more apply to industrial applications. Core must be fished through the pipe after these high temperatures joints have been made and allowed to cool down. It is however a good idea in all situations to tin all pipe pieces first, to avoid unnecessary exposure of core to continued heating. Remember that a copper pipe that had a freeze split and was repaired by closing split and soldering split, may not withstand freeze pressures even with ICE-LOC®. Split can still open at the solder. Damaged section must be removed and replaced with new couplings and new piece of added pipe, a proper plumber's repair. Also remember, a fitting, which retains water, such as a ball valve, when closed, traps a small volume of water and are subjected to high pressures when frozen. Valve will crack. It is obvious that ICE-LOC® can’t be placed in the valve ball, but valve can be protected by drilling small hole (3/16-1/4 in.) through one side only of the inner ball before using valve. This will allow ice to expand out of one side of the ball into the pipe with the ICE-LOC®. Pumps and other types of water retaining reservoirs still must be drained or prevented from freezing (no way to apply ICE-LOC® inside a pump). ICE-LOC® can also be applied to pipe by the use of a technique used by electricians to pull electrical wire through a conduit. This is the use of a fish tape. Tape is first inserted through pipe and ICE-LOC® core is attached to end of steel tape by the core’s center twine. Core can now be pulled through pipe. Another method is to attach a piece of wadded up plastic bag material to some carpenter’s twine and blowing through with a compressor or put shop vacuum cleaner on other end of pipe and suck this plug (not too tight) through with the twine attached and now with this twine in the pipe as above with the fish tape, core can now be tied to the twine and the ICE-LOC® can be pulled through pipe. In existing plumbing that can be expose at one end and the other end, opening of a pipe at a chosen junction, may be done to aid in the inserting of the core through a required length of pipe and using one of the techniques above. Pipe can now be joined back together with a dresser coupling. This technique and others can be used to aid in the insertion of the ICE-LOC® to existing pipe. Do not force thaw PVC pipe by use of a hot blowgun or hot water thrown on to pipe, it can shatter plastic pipe after pipe has been protected with ICE-LOC®. Let pipe thaw slowly. The quick heating of the plastic is slow to conduct evenly to inner wall. Pipe may shatter from the stress. Copyright© 2002 ICE-LOC® Inc. |
 
U.S. Patent Nos. Email: iceloc@iceloc.com |
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Mission Statement To be The Number One Provider of Frozen Pipe Protection Everywhere |
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This same technique of tying one core to another core to form a splice, also applies when you need to lengthen a core that isn’t quite long enough to finish a pipe run. A tie can also be used at a tee intersection by stripping the end of one core and tying it to the body of the other core. Another option is to use more spring clips.
