Ice

[chester]

Hi

My new tanks should be here this week for the rainwater system.

I was wondering how people were fairing with the continued low temperatures??.

The bulk of the external pipework for my system has been insulated and buried in the ground (12"ish), with either block paving or decking over the area.

I do have 2 areas both less than 12 inches which would be more exposed to the temperatures and was wondering if its worth looking at some trace heating in these areas tied in with a stat to prevent freezing.

When I box the storage tanks in, I plan to insulate the voids around the tank with bagged loft insulation, again to try and prevent freezing.

Intially the system will only run the toilet I have built extra pipework in so that if needed I can collect rainwater from the front roof as well and pump it to the storage tanks

Cheers

Mark

[pipesmokingman]

humm well yea , there are 3x  150 ltr blocks of ice sitting in my yard at the mo the butts are frozen solid  did not bother to insulate them as ,well you know all these mild winters - and this global warming stuff - had me believing that cold winters where over  - WRONG !! **

SOOOOOO radical rethink required ( system could do with a clean out anyways ) - ah well lesson learned 

guess i got a bit MORE  work to do when it warms up a bit 

BTW - any one got any spare drums - 150 /60 ltr ish capacity ?? - tried free-cycle ( no response) and we don't have any firms that do them down here - ( yes i know of some in the midlands ,but they don't do small quantities and the transport costs are outside my budget - what i would REALLY like is one of those caged pallet type tanks - but no chance of one of those coming my way for free or cheap  - any ideas ?? ( offers ?? - he said hopefully ) 

** ah well NOT alone in that one seemingly - a few people have been caught out this time - would not be at all surprised if we don't get a run of colder winters now - but summer looks promising as we usually get a reasonable one after a cold winter eh ??

ho hum - better let this snow that's forecast for tuesday clear first mind you they said more snow for the weekend and we got ?? - a few flakes , flipping met office could not predict a racing certainty and the press and silly people are panicking as usual  - so i ain't holding my breath

my forecast for the next few weeks ?? - thaw - then flooding - then rain - then it may dry out - then more rain - then some sunshine round about march /April ( could be a bit chilly ) - hell ,who needs super computers when you have seaweed ?? 

[RichieC]

Hi

 I have a 4500l underground tank and like you my pipe work where it comes in to the house is only 6 inches below ground. Here in kent it is currantly sitting below 12 inches of snow without problem.

 The system pumps from underground to two header tanks in my loft. Level is controllered by ball valve to prevent overtopping. Instead of fiiting a non return valve at the tank inlet I just let the pipe work drain down when the pump isn't running.  The pump is controllered by a time clock.

 PSM where are you? A freind has 1000l caged IBC that he might like to donate to you. If your semi local I'll ask the question.

Rich

[petertc]

My 1200 litre tank is above ground and was only 1/4 full last week we had about 1" of ice on the top, all of the pipe work is above ground but insulated with armoflex( i think that is the name) lagging then foil wrapped then boxed over to stop things getting wet.
It has not frozen yet but the pump does work a bit harder as the ice on the top of the tank leaves a bit of a vacuum

[pipesmokingman]

Hi

 I have a 4500l underground tank and like you my pipe work where it comes in to the house is only 6 inches below ground. Here in kent it is currantly sitting below 12 inches of snow without problem.

 The system pumps from underground to two header tanks in my loft. Level is controllered by ball valve to prevent overtopping. Instead of fiiting a non return valve at the tank inlet I just let the pipe work drain down when the pump isn't running.  The pump is controllered by a time clock.

 PSM where are you? A freind has 1000l caged IBC that he might like to donate to you. If your semi local I'll ask the question.

Rich

unfortunatly down in plymouth - but thanks for the offer 

[guydewdney]

PSM - Im sure I have a spare one. Im in Minehead though...

[pipesmokingman]

PSM - Im sure I have a spare one. Im in Minehead though...

thanks - but a bit of a drag on a mobility scooter and trailer - plus i suspect plod would take a dim view , they eye me up frequently here ,when i am "transporting" stuff - but i guess they just shake their heads and go chase real villains ( you know innocent motorists )

THIS  is when i miss not being able to drive any more and my old Mk1 landi ( side valve 1953 - rebuilt over 12 months in an unheated garage on Dartmoor - rip ) getting any thing anywhere is a problem - but am following up a lead about a firm in Plymouth that is near by - just got to suss out HOW  to get an IBC over the wall ( 6 foot high ) without a hiab , but should be a cinch for an ex fire fighter - ever seen land of the faro's ?? - ramps and a winch instead of slaves made from a couple of ladders should do methinks - and the neighbors will just look ,shake their heads and say " whats  that crazy old sod up to now " ( as they do ) - and wander off muttering

being a tad "odd " has its advantages - people generally don't hassle you or interfere too much 

[guydewdney]

they are not that heavy - any normal bloke x 2 (for awkwardness) will be able to hoist it over a 6' fence. They are very very tough, and lobbed should be fine.

If anyone is going from west somerset to south devon - lets see if we can get it to you!