frost protection

[elmsoft]

I've been asked to help with shutting down a cottage for winter. I don't know if i need to drain an indirect water cylinder. Are these cylinders and their associated header tanks vulnerable to frost damage? On the same train of thought, is pvc water pipe as susceptible as copper to cracking as a result of freezing.?

I'd love to hear people's thoughts .

 

[denso13]

Are these cylinders and their associated header tanks vulnerable to frost damage?

Yes, if it's cold enough.

On the same train of thought, is pvc water pipe as susceptible as copper to cracking as a result of freezing.?

They will stretch a bit, but again, will be damaged if it's cold enough.

 

[elmsoft]

Thanks for getting back to me even though it's not what I wanted to hear!

 

[Rodders53]

Insurance is likely to demand all is fully drained down or background heated 24/7... 12-15C is common minimum stipulated... check the Insurance paperwork.

* CH boiler/rads with suitable levels of antifreeze might be OK (needs check with Insurer obviously). The late in-Laws had such in a static caravan where the site disconnected and drained down potable water and also the electricity was isolated at distribution centres (bottled LPG); so fridges needed emptying out as well.

 

[ChrisJP]

Fernox Alphi11 is a combined anti-freeze and corrosion inhibitor and will stop the entire CH circuit and its header tank from freezing. It's not cheap when purchased from the usual high street plumbing suppliers but good prices can be found online.

 

[FeliciaSFralick]

Dealing with external frost stats or pipe lagging setups on DIYnot is always a classic when winter rolls around. Whether it's sorting out a frost thermostat for a combi boiler or lagging exposed condensate and external copper pipes so they don't split when the temperature dips below zero, getting ahead of a freeze saves an absolute fortune in plumbing repairs.

Are you trying to wire up a frost stat for your heating system, or looking at the best way to insulate external pipework to stop things freezing up overnight?