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DIY & Home Improvement

jeff47

(26,549 posts)

20. One thing you can do temporarily

Reply to IrishAyes (Reply #17)

Wed Dec 11, 2013, 03:11 PM

Dec 2013

Is pour RV antifreeze into the drain pipe when it is going to get really cold. That'll prevent the trap from freezing. Add new antifreeze after you're done using the washer if it is still cold.

Make sure you use the RV type, and not the normal "Car" type. The car type is toxic and can't be dumped into the sewer.

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Any good green ideas on what to do about frozen drain pipe for washing machine? [View all] IrishAyes Dec 2013 OP

In this case, the heat tape is all that will do it Warpy Dec 2013 #1

I've resisted for years, but feel my resolve fading fast. IrishAyes Dec 2013 #3

I don't have any advice on the drain but wonder if you could explain beac Dec 2013 #2

Well, even with great insulation, if cabinet doors are shut, the interior will be colder than the IrishAyes Dec 2013 #4

We definitely aren't overheaters! beac Dec 2013 #8

Since you say you're new to colder climes, IrishAyes Dec 2013 #12

Yeah, heat tape seems to be most likely bet. X_Digger Dec 2013 #5

Along with everything else, since I can poke a broom handle all the way down the part of the drain IrishAyes Dec 2013 #6

Well, rather than trying to insulate the whole crawlspace, you could.. X_Digger Dec 2013 #7

That's a fantastic idea. Could you recommend someone desperate enough for $ to IrishAyes Dec 2013 #9

Well, you'd have to get someone up under there to do the heat tape, too. X_Digger Dec 2013 #10

I was about to write a potential apology if my comment might've sounded snippy. IrishAyes Dec 2013 #11

No worries! I hate crawlspaces too, hehe. X_Digger Dec 2013 #13

For some unfathomable reason, I've always managed to avoid deliberately being IrishAyes Dec 2013 #15

Another alternative, though probably slower, would be a submersible aquarium heater. X_Digger Dec 2013 #16

That would be safer than an immersion heater, wouldn't it? IrishAyes Dec 2013 #18

Yup, sure would. X_Digger Dec 2013 #19

You should only have to worry about the trap. jeff47 Dec 2013 #14

Thanks for all that great info. As you can imagine, I'm no expert. But I love to learn. IrishAyes Dec 2013 #17

One thing you can do temporarily jeff47 Dec 2013 #20

I'd heard of nontoxic 'natural' car antifreeze but didn't know RV antifreeze was nontoxic. IrishAyes Dec 2013 #21

Yep, it's propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. (nt) jeff47 Dec 2013 #22