"Freeze-proof" pipes for IBC totes?
Posted by BeginningAd5055@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 17 comments
I store water in IBC 1000 liter totes. They have 2" coarse thread outlets. I would like to connect several totes together without having to drain in the winter.
I have had one tote 90% full for four winters with no breakage from freezing, even though the tank is frozen solid. (I'm in Maine). The plastic valve in the tote survives winter just fine.
PVC freezes and breaks, of course.
Obviously when frozen no water passes when frozen. I want to let water accumulate from roof runoff in the early spring when I may not be present.
What is the plastic used for totes? Can I get 2" piping, or maybe something smaller that I can get adapters for? (I have never seen a pex adapter go to 2" coarse thread, nor pex in 2" or 1.5"). I would like the connections to be for potable water, although not absolutely necessary
Bitter_Albatross25@reddit
If you can circulate the water around, moving water doesn’t freeze. When we get temps from 15°f and below we always tell customers to leave faucets dripping so the water is moving in the lines to prevent it from freezing. Perhaps you can install a small circulation pump to keep it moving.
ommnian@reddit
Moving water definitely freezes. It just takes longer.
E4e5ke2ftw@reddit
The IBC tote material is HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and the threaded outlets on those camlock fittings are usually polypropylene or HDPE too. Both handle freeze-thaw without cracking the way PVC does.
For your application (water sitting in pipe between totes in winter), the materials that survive a freeze cycle:
For 2" coarse thread (S60x6 is the standard IBC thread): you can get HDPE-to-2" S60x6 adapters from any agriculture/irrigation supply. Tractor Supply, irrigation direct, or Amazon. Look for "IBC S60 to 2" male NPT" or similar adapters, then jump to HDPE from there.
Maine specific: even HDPE buried at frost depth is the safer bet for the connections between totes if you can dig 4 feet down. Above-ground HDPE will survive freezing but pressurized flow through frozen pipe is still 0 gpm.
CaliRefugeeinTN@reddit
Have you looked at pex? We had our house piped in it, expands in size when it freezes, maybe $1 a foot? Good for 50 years and safe for drinking water.
BeginningAd5055@reddit (OP)
Pex degrades in sunlight. Unsuitable for outside use.
PeanyButter@reddit
Why can't you cover it? Can use large diameter PVC pipe, some kind of wrap, insulated tape, cut some fence pickets and make a rectangle box around it, etc..
I don't have experience with pex to know if it won't burst but if it is as good as they say, just cover it to shield from sunlight.
BeginningAd5055@reddit (OP)
HDPE is uv resistant and I’ve recently earned essentially freeze proof.
Maxasaurus@reddit
Close the drain line and bleed the pipes for winter. The tote can still fill and freeze no priblem.
BeginningAd5055@reddit (OP)
That’s what I do now. I want the overflow from my roof water collection to flow to 4 to 6 totes and equalize when above freezing.
WhereDidAllTheSnowGo@reddit
An experiment
Things burst from pressure. Ensure the pipe doesn’t get the immense pressure
Insulate all of the pipe between bins except the center. Freezing starts in the center pushing outwards to the warmer bins. No trapped water, no pressure
BeginningAd5055@reddit (OP)
There aren’t any “warmer” totes. All are outside.
WhereDidAllTheSnowGo@reddit
??????
Read the above again
Think how that assembly gradually freezes, how water in each cubic inch changes over time
cantiludan@reddit
PEX does not break when it freezes and is fairly easy DIY.
BeginningAd5055@reddit (OP)
Pex degrade in sunlight.
silverbk65105@reddit
I had a tote that I used with water, I had koi in mine while growing veggies on top.
I had the thing freeze almost solid during winter. No issues with the tote, even the fish survived under the ice. I guess their heat and movement prevented the very bottom from freezing.
I also have a few with fuel that have been left outside for several winter seasons. No issues with any leaks.
The only issue I can report is that I had one in the sun for a few years and the hdpe got brittle and discolored. It eventually cracked, so I repurposed the tote.
They are built surprising tough. I have had them fly off my flatbed, flip a few times and come out with no leaks and minimal damage.
SheistyPenguin@reddit
If it's something like this that is rated for drinking water, it's most likely made of HDPE plastic.
-Thizza-@reddit
I don't think anything is freeze proof but HDPE is a lot more forgiving with frost than PVC or regular irrigation PE. It's best to drain the lines if you can of course.