frozen pit water

[jack954]

I have my wash shut down as it’s in single digits for a few days but my pit water is freezing. Any suggestions what I can pour in there as I don’t want overflowing pits when I reopen?

 

[Eric H]

How deep are your pits? Mine sometimes get an inch or 2 on the top but won't freeze completely. the water finds it's way down without an issue. I've been as low as -25 (or more) overnight on several occasions and been below freezing for weeks at a time.

 

[jack954]

at least 3 foot

 

[Eric H]

You'll be fine. Your pits are probably below whatever the frost line is in your area. The lower part of the pit won't freeze.
If you don't have floor heat and your waste pipe is near the surface you may potentially have a concern there but I doubt it.

 

[MC3033]

I imagine the drain is on top and the line out isn’t frozen. Only way the drain could have frozen is if you were clogged and holding water to start. I believe once you start flowing water in the pit it will drain and the ice will thaw

 

[mjwalsh]

We used to have an open bay that we would shut down during the whole winter. Using farm-duty trough heat elements turned out to be unbelievably expensive to keep it thawed out so we were ready to open earlier in case of an early spring-like weather year.

A lot depends on how cold your area gets. I was thinking that Biden's global warming was happening until the last few weeks of continuously well below 0° F daytime highs occurred here ... in our proven cold weather tends to "get the riff raff out" state of North Dakota. I am also worried about the recent weather citrus crops in Texas since I am a personally a heavy cost conscious purchaser of citrus fruit (Vitamin C - Fiber food source)!

Nothing to worry about though ... the main stream news media will non-stop re-assure us that these problems from global freezing are not happening & never happen!

 

[jack954]

thanks. busted through and only about 1” thick

 

[Twodose]

I used to sprinkle some calcium pellets, in each of the bays when it got really cold and if the pits were freezing. if your running your weep it will dilute rather quick.

 

[jack954]

just running weep to the bays on each end, blew out all lines on the 6 in between

 

[Waxman]

How about water softner salt?

 

[jack954]

i put a half bag in each pit yesterday morning right where the drain is, went back last night and broke through that spot with ease. probably another half bag in each today and i should be good

 

[CarWashGuy316]

I’ve never had this happen before. Only been an owner 3 years. We’ve had below freezing for 2 weeks now. I wish I’d of been more prepared. My pits froze up and then my weeps stacked up on top of that now I’ve got 5 bays for ice skating