10mm plastic pipe freezing

[Foston]

I wish to replace an existing radiator with a towel rail. The radiator is in a new house and is part of a sealed pressurised system. The current radiator is connected to a 10mm plastic pipe. I would be keen to effect the change without the need to drain the system. Questions:

1. Is it possible to freeze water in a 10mm plastic pipe.

2. If yes can it be done with a DIY freezing kit or would it be better to hire an electric freezing kit?

Advice would be appreciated.

 

[GQuigley67]

if its part of a sealed system, it would probably be easier and cheaper draining down the system and refilling. Not too sure about freezing plastic but I wouldnt risk it.

 

[AWheating]

draining down should be very straight forward and avoid any dangers you may have trying to freeze and cut pipework, you also get to flush out your system and top up with a good inhibitor which is a good idea and will help prelong the life of your system.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

I agree with the other lads here, drain down and refill with inhibitor, with a pressurised system it wont take that much longer than freezing the pipe.

 

[marleyco]

depending on the amount of alteration required and materials you are to use, it is possible to drop the system pressure. water is still in the pipes but is held in due to the sealed system. i get the job done then connect last. you really have to have all parts and tools at hand and bit of confidence. much safer the way the other guys suggested.

 

[SimonJohns]

If there's enough slack. Bend it. Or clamp the pipe.

Gas board do it all the time on low pressure

 

[SimonG]

Tend to find freezing plastic takes a lot longer than copper. I would de-pressurise or compress pipe before working on it, wouldn't bother with a drain down for that.

 

[Gray0689]

Agree just drop the pressure it will
Be fine

 

[Foston]

My thanks to all who have offered advice. It is much appreciated.

 

[TerryH]

I have a similar job in copper quite soon. I thought the best way was drop the pressure and then freeze.
That's the beauty of this forum, you can check what seems to be a good idea for possible faults before you find out in the real world that in fact, it was a crazy idea!
Thanks.... T.

 

[Ermintrude]

I would simply drain it. Frozen plugs move

 

[kay-jay]

I came back from work today orange. My labour monkey came back from work today orange. I have to paint mrs fothergills outhouse white ceiling and magnolia walls on monday all because a pipe didnt freeze.

Tiled floor and paint free cos my dads a decorator. So no real harm done....

Could have been worse.


Only labour monkeys third day on job. Didnt panic, didnt run from the sh t brown water spray. Whacked a stop end on one side while I stuck an iso on the other.

Kudos to the new labour monkey.🙂

And the monkey is a she.

 

[Ermintrude]

You have a she monkey

 

[Dotty]

We demand pictures....

wet or otherwise!

 

[Ermintrude]

Would try and freeze behind an elbow as low friction and dirty pipes.....