Pipe Freeze and Windshield Freeze (Houston: house, cost, gym)

[marykate1]

Hi,

My water pipe got freeze last day. The water was not coming through any pipe and we were waterless. You can call me stupid since I did not took any precautions.

So, I finally found the pipe and pour boiling hot water on it. It was a copper pipe and the total place on which I poured water was around 5 inches. As, soon as I poured the water the water started flowing.

Should I not pour water on frozen pipes since they expand on heat?

I do the same on my car everyday. The windshield has ice on it and I pour hot water on it so I can see through the windshield.

Any ideas if this is a bad practice?

[RPEP09]

I would pour cool water on the windshield, too hot and it could crack

[lanewidick]

This is a really bad idea. Especially the windshield thing. Even pouring cold water on it can hurt the windshield. Here's an idea, get up about 5 minutes earlier and turn your car on, or use an icescraper, or park in your garage.

Plus, you never want to compromise your house pipes. It would cost a heckuva lot more to replace your pipes than your windshield.

Just be patient. Deal with an inconvenience for a few days. It is Houston. It will warm up.

[City Love]

Originally Posted by RPEP09

I would pour cool water on the windshield, too hot and it could crack

Very true. Very bad for pipes and especially the windshield. If you have a small crack, it will spread like that.

I'm not exactly sure on the science of it. But the extreme temperature change can cause fluctuations in the metal or glass.

[marykate1]

Thanks everyone!

Now I know that it is always a bad idea to do this. Good thing the pipe did not burst. Now, I have wrapped the pipe with insulation and that should work.

Hopefully, there was no damage done in either case (pipe and windshield).

Thanks everyone,

I guess from now one I will park my car in the garage.

[SteveArmy]

you could put windshield washer fluid in a spray bottle

[marykate1]

Thanks SteveArmy,

I think for these cold months in Houston I am just going to park my car inside the garage. That should work

[TFW46]

Why would you NOT park your car in the garage all the time...especially in Houston?

I have a small one-car garage and I always park my car in it, even if I'm only going to be home for a few minutes.

[marykate1]

My husband has a gym in the garage and he needs to move his stuff so I can park the car. I will ask him to move all the stuff to the other side so I can park the car.

[0706772]

Next time use a hair dryer on the pipes. Let the car run for about 10 minutes, make sure you open your garage door first.