Line Freezing Services

Line Freezing, commonly referred to as pipe freezing, involves forming an ice plug within a pipeline.This innovative service method isolates a section of pipe by freezing the liquid pipe contents so that it forms an ice plug. The adhesion of the ice to metal allows this plug to hold back the product to allow modifications to be made to the system.

Using specialized equipment, we circulate liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide around the pipe’s exterior, installing a freezing container that is sealed with special tape to maintain containment. This process cools the pipe to temperatures low enough to freeze the liquid inside, creating an ice plug. This plug acts as a temporary barrier, maintaining system pressure and flow integrity beyond the freeze point. Once the ice plug is securely formed, it allows for essential repairs or updates to be safely and efficiently conducted.

Pipe freeze services are typically used for maintenance purposes, where access to the existing valve infrastructure is inconvenient or would require too large of a service disruption.

All types of metal pipes can withstand pipe freezing. Likewise, treated plastic, composite, and concrete pipes can be serviced with pipe freezing:

Stainless steel, Lead, Copper, Carbon steel, Transite, Cast & ductile iron, Titanium, Aluminum, Coated & lined pipe, Vertical, horizontal, inclined, and Out of round.

Line stops are one of many Water Main solutions; solutions are often paired (for example, provide permitting, excavation, line stops, and water main offset, all turnkey).