[Greenbuilding] green antifreeze?

[Speireag Alden]

Sgrìobh tom:

>We don't yet live full-time at the farmhouse we're rehabbing and its 
>only heat is wood.  I designed the plumbing so that I can drain the 
>whole supply side of the system by opening two spigots and I figured 
>I'd use my compressor to blow out the drain traps until a neighbor 
>suggested pouring some anti-freeze into them each time we leave.  I 
>don't like the idea of anti-freeze going out into the septic tank and 
>leach field- any ideas on a 'green' anti-freeze alternative?
>Thanks.

     Mineral oil.  Available in any market, won't harm a septic 
system, won't expand when it solidifies, liquid at habitable 
temperatures.  Pour a bit down each drain.

     I suppose you could also use any food oil, like olive oil.

     Personally, I wouldn't bother blowing the water out of the traps. 
Put enough oil down to displace some water, and the remaining water 
won't have enough volume to crack anything if it freezes.

-Speireag.

-- 
Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the 
injury that provokes it.
--Lucius Annaeus Seneca, philosopher (BCE 3-65 CE)