December 30, 2016
It’s the end of the year, as we know it. We at Duff wish you nothing but the happiest and healthiest new year for 2017!
GOOD BYE: 
2017 New Year Resolutions
Partner with Duff to ensure all your facilities maintenance, plumbing, pump, industrial and water treatment resolutions are met.
Specifically, however, we have one resolution that you should make if you haven’t already done so yourself: Warm up your pipes for the winter! Here are 3 ways you can do that:
1. Insulate
Pipes endure quite a beating in wintertime and the change of seasons, with water expanding and contracting at each freeze and thaw.
Fiberglass insulation
Foam armaflex-type insulation
At Duff, we have just the solution to this potential problem. First, wherever you can, insulate the pipes. We have fiberglass as well as armaflex/k-flex/fasco cell options for all sizes of pipe and tubing–including elbows, tees and other fittings.
Zeston-type fiberglass elbow insulation
The cost and labor involved with insulating pipes in advance of the cold far outweigh the potential inconvenience and costs associated with burst pipes.
2. Heat Trace
Another way to protect your system is with heat trace. We carry Frostex freeze protection protects which include 3-watt per foot electric heat trace cable, a plug kit and application tape.The heat trace cable uses a self–regulating conductive core that reacts to changes in temperature. 
As the environment becomes colder, cable resistance decreases and more heat is generated. Conversely, as the environment warms, cable resistance increases and less heat is generated. The Frostex 9800 FlexFit plug kit is used to terminate the heating cable. The 9800 includes a specially designed ground-fault protected plug and an end seal for sealing the cable end that does not plug in, as well as a power indication signal light.
Additionally, Frostex heating cables are available in handy reels of 100, 250, and 500 feet. We also offer a handy TruckPak service carton, equipped with 50 feet of heating cable, two 9800 FlexFit plug kits, and one roll of 9610 application tape.
3. Wrap
Another way to protect your pipes is by using a pipe insulation wrap. This non-itchy solution comes in assorted widths to accommodate whatever pipes your trying to 
protect and, like the other options above, can be used on both hot and cold pipes. 
We also offer pipe wrap insulation in a tape form, as a self-adhesive foil and foam, or as foil-backed fiberglass that you adhere on your own.
All these wraps and tapes are super-simple to use, and offer flexibility for tight, hard-to-reach places, as well as the ability to insulate fittings. These products also stop sweating on, and dripping from pipes, and effectively cut off wasteful heat lost on hot water or steam pipes.
What if it’s too late?
If your pipes are already frozen, we have another solution for you. General Wire makes what it calls a Hot-Shot pipe thawing machine.
No more tearing up floors, breaking through walls, or digging around frozen pipes in frozen ground. Now you can eliminate hazardous blow torches and stop worrying about expensive repairs or damage. With the safe Hot-Shot pipe thawer, you can accomplish the job faster and easier – and save time and money.
Easy To Operate
Just carry your Hot-Shot to the job, attach the pipe clamps and plug it into any convenient 115 volt receptacle. In a matter of minutes, the frozen pipe will begin flowing again.
Strong And Safe
Both units are housed in heavy-gauge steel boxes built to take a pounding. Safety features like thermal overload protection and circuit breakers are standard equipment.
Hit ‘Em High; Hit ‘Em Low
The Hot-Shot 400 gives you the power to clear longer and larger lines with 400 amps of thawing power. It’s powerful enough to clear 1-1/2″ diameter lines up to 175 ft. long, yet weighs just 31 lbs.
Stuck on a job with only 15 amp breakers? Just flip the switch on the Hot-Shot 400 and the amp draw drops below 14 amps while the unit still delivers 320 amps of thawing power.
Lighter Weight
The Hot-Shot 320 weighing in at just 30 lbs., generates 320 amps of thawing power, yet draws just 14 amps. This little unit can quickly thaw 1-1/2″ diameter lines up to 100 ft. long
Happy 2017, from everyone at the Duff family!
