Liquid Nitrogen Pipe Freezing in Ellicott City, MD
For commercial property managers, liquid nitrogen pipe freezing is a means of isolating part of a pipe in a controlled fashion, all without having to put an entire mechanical or plumbing system to the drain. When there is a leak, a valve that has been damaged, or a modification on the agenda and downtime must be kept to an absolute minimum, Metcalf Plumbing can provide this kind of specialized service.
Controlled Pipe Freeze Services
The procedure is straightforward. A technician will put extremely cold nitrogen to the exterior of a water line. As the temperature at that point drops, the contents of the pipeline will harden into a solid ice plug. That plug serves to isolate the issue and halt the flow of water. After the work is done, the plug is allowed to melt, and everything goes back to normal. It is a fast way to handle pipeline changes in a large building – be it an office, hospital, retail space or multi-unit complex – without the inconvenience of shutting off water service or draining the system. This is particularly handy for older properties where shutoff valves are either unreliable or hard to get to.
Repairs Without Draining the System
Whether it is to put in a new branch on an existing line, replace a fitting or do some maintenance, a pipeline freeze is often the answer. The idea is to get the job done professionally and not have to disrupt every department or tenant in the process.
While it is a form of flow control like a hot tap or line stopping, pipe freezing is its own thing. The nitrogen creates a plug from what is already in the pipe. Our technicians will make sure the pressure, diameter, and condition of the material are right before they start. And to be clear, this is a planned and monitored affair, quite unlike the accidental frozen pipes you might see in Ellicott City after a hard winter that can result in a burst or water damage.
While it is a form of flow control like a hot tap or line stopping, pipe freezing is its own thing. The nitrogen creates a plug from what is already in the pipe. Our technicians will make sure the pressure, diameter, and condition of the material are right before they start. And to be clear, this is a planned and monitored affair, quite unlike the accidental frozen pipes you might see in Ellicott City after a hard winter that can result in a burst or water damage.
Safety and Pipe Condition
There is no room for a do-it-yourself approach with basic kits when working with nitrogen; it calls for proper ventilation, protective gear, and pressure monitoring. We also have to be mindful of the line itself. An old or corroded pipe may not stand up to the pressure changes and could be damaged.
Metcalf Plumbing will look over the line and the area before we put forward a recommendation. If an ice plug is not the safe or practical route, we will talk about another way to cut off the water and stave off any damage.
Metcalf Plumbing will look over the line and the area before we put forward a recommendation. If an ice plug is not the safe or practical route, we will talk about another way to cut off the water and stave off any damage.
Pipe Repair
From the 21042 zip code out through Howard County, we see our share of historic as well as newer commercial buildings. Some of the older ones have industrial pipe or chilled water setups with very few options for shutoffs. While Maryland winters can be cold, a controlled freeze is of use in any season when one wants to limit disruption.
We are happy to call this city home, with its wooded hills, the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, and the character of Main Street. For those in the area looking for a cost-effective alternative to taking down the whole system, Metcalf Plumbing delivers safe and efficient pipe repair.
We are happy to call this city home, with its wooded hills, the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, and the character of Main Street. For those in the area looking for a cost-effective alternative to taking down the whole system, Metcalf Plumbing delivers safe and efficient pipe repair.