Potential Freeze Damage

[DADoES]

 
A hard freeze, possibly down to 22°F, is predicted in a few days.  Lowest temps mostly in the wee-morn hours but at least one day may not reach much above 32°F for the duration.  I have three washers on my patio with essentially no room for them in the garage unless I leave the car out.  Two WP DDs and an F&P EcoSmart.  The inlet valves are drained (hoses disconnected) and I can drain the pumps ... but am concerned about the balance rings.  I know the balance rings are only partially filled so is there any risk of damage?

 

[tomturbomatic]

I think I remember John getting a WP washer with a burst balance ring. Don't remember how it happened.  I think a 100 or 150 watt bulb in a work light in each machine with maybe a rug or blanket on top should save the ring. I feel sorry for you guys without basements.  You can feel sorry for those of us with full basements.

 

Be warm and well.

 

[DADoES]

 
Light bulbs ... finding incandescents to generate heat isn't so easy nowadays, although I just remembered I still have a few stashed.

May dip to 16°F Tue morn.  Forecasts are in revision processes.  Saw an alternate track that claims single digits be possible.

Can _maybe_ get two in the garage with an effort of shuffling.  Can take the basket out of the other if necessary.

 

[cfz2882]

no worries

I have never had a balance ring damaged from freezing in temps dipping below -20 on occaision-I think a brine solution is used in many balance rings for greater weight.

 

[circlew]

I wouldn't think manufacturers would use something in the balance ring that would freeze and cause damage. The trucks that deliver them from the factory aren't heated, so they might be subjected to below freezing temperatures before they ever get to the customer.

 

[wayupnorth]

Around here, where alot of people dont spend the winter and shut their place down. They pour RV antifreeze into it, switch it to drain to get the pumps of washers and dishwashers so they cant freeze. In the spring when they come back, run an empty load thru with hot water and resume normal life.

 

[combo52]

WP DD Washers And Freezing Temperatures

WP just used plain water so it will freeze, but since the ring is only 1/2 full it will not hurt anything down to -140F At that temperature the world stops turning, LOL

 

The thing that will cause a WP DDs balance ring to freeze and break is if the washer is laying on its side which will break the BR, so keep any stored DD machines upright if they are in a place where they could freeze.

 

This is why FL washers like Maytags Neptune has salt water in its balance ring to keep it from breaking at freezing temperatures since it is normally on its side.

 

John L.

 

[eurekastar]

You must live further down state.  This is the weather here in Amarillo over the next few days.  We tend to get most of the cold and snow in Texas!

 

[good-shepherd]

Light bulbs ... finding incandescents

500 watt heat lamp bulbs are available. Halogen PAR flood lamps put out some good heat as well.

Walmart still sells their Great Value halogen incandescent replacement bulbs in 40 to 100 watt.

(Good for people like me that don't care for operating room lighting in their homes).

 

[repairguy]

Glenn is it too early to assess the freeze situation with your machines?

 

[DADoES]

 
Probably not, but I haven't examined.  I drained the pumps on the two DDs, although the owner of one doesn't want it back for estimate too much $$$ to repair for a 24-yo machine in its condition.  Was going to move the last-acquired Eco Smart to the garage, but didn't.  I seriously hope the other DD isn't damaged, it's someone's coin-op that couldn't get picked up in time before the weather hit.

I turned the water back on 3 hrs ago after being off since Mon evening.  Things to do.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Glenn, I hope your house, pipes and machines are all OK.

 

[cfz2882]

in my experience,DD pumps withstand hard freeze ups without damage.BD pump traps are vulnerable to freeze ups popping the end caps off,but BD pumps seem to survive ok.I have had SQ marathons hard freeze without damage,but large door FD frontloads can crack the inlet valve with a hard freeze.

 

[DADoES]

 
The DDs were good, picked-up yesterday.  The coin-op and companion dryer returned to the RV park, the other DD that's not worth fixing taken along to recycling.

 

[tomturbomatic]

YAY!