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Pipe Freezing

Isolate, repair, resume: controlled ice plugs provide a safe window for cut-ins and replacements while the rest of the system keeps running.

WellFab delivers on-site pipe freezing so you can isolate a section without draining or shutdown. Our technicians assess conditions, build a secure ice plug, and monitor it throughout—letting you replace valves, tie in new lines, repair sprinklers/pumps, or fix damaged piping while the rest of the system stays online.

We use liquid nitrogen freeze jackets for a colder, more stable plug than CO₂ kits (≈ -196 °C / -320 °F vs. ≈ -78 °C / -109 °F), making it reliable on larger diameters and warmer fluids. Every job follows engineered procedures and QA/QC: temperature/pressure monitoring, controlled thaw, and a clean return-to-service handover.

Pipe freezing

Why it Matters

Shutting down and draining a system to change a valve, repair a damaged line, or add a tie-in is expensive, disruptive, and risky. You lose time, you lose fluid, and in many cases you’re interrupting service to the whole building or process to fix one small section. Pipe freezing solves that: instead of draining the entire system, we isolate only the section that needs work, so the rest stays live and operational. This reduces downtime, avoids major water handling and cleanup, and prevents restart headaches.

Our Capabilities

  • We isolate the line with a controlled freeze plug so you can remove and replace a failed or seized valve without shutting down the entire system. No full drain-down, no restart headaches.
    Capabilities

    • Freeze upstream/downstream of the valve to create a safe “dry” work zone

    • Remove and install new gate, ball, butterfly, or control valves

    • Verify orientation, torque, and sealing before thaw

    • Return system to service immediately after install

  • We give you a safe window to add a new branch, bypass, or riser connection to an active line while the rest of the system stays online.
    Capabilities

    • Freeze isolation of the tie-in area to stop flow locally

    • Controlled cut-in and prep of the opening

    • Welded, flanged, or grooved branch connection

    • Thaw and check for leaks before release

  • Instead of draining an entire loop or shutting down a building, we isolate just the failed section and swap it out.
    Capabilities

    • Create an ice plug to hold back pressure and water/glycol

    • Cut out cracked, burst, or corroded pipe

    • Fabricate and install a new spool or clamp/repair fitting

    • Pressure check before thaw and release

  • We isolate one zone of the sprinkler or fire protection line so repairs or head changes can be made without draining the full system (where permitted by code / AHJ).
    Capabilities

    • Localized freeze to hold static water in place

    • Replace damaged heads, fittings, valves, or drops in that zone only

    • Minimize downtime to the rest of the fire protection network

    • Restore service and document work completed

  • We keep the building heated/cooled while you change critical components.
    Capabilities

    • Freeze isolate around the equipment connection points

    • Disconnect and remove pumps, fan coil connections, unit coils, HX tie-ins, etc.

    • Install replacement unit and reconnect lines under control

    • Thaw and bring the loop fully back online with minimal disturbance

  • We shut off only the riser or branch that serves a specific tenant, floor, or area — not the whole building.

    Capabilities

    • Freeze isolation on the targeted riser/branch

    • Perform valve swap, fixture tie-in, or piping repair for that area only

    • Avoid building-wide shutdown notices and after-hours drain-down work

    • Controlled thaw and sign-off when complete

Completed Works, Zero Downtime

Frequently asked questions

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

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