Contact us today at ! Prev Post Next Post. By Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Water Heaters. These are located in exterior walls, unheated garages, the floor cavities above unheated crawl spaces , and the like. Generally speaking, it's not necessary to insulate pipes that run through interior walls or in basements that are heated. When preventing freezing is the goal, insulate both the hot- and cold-water pipes. Hot water pipes can also freeze unless water is actively running through them.
If the goal is to lower water-heating costs, then it's wise to insulate hot water pipes wherever you have access to them. This will help prevent heat from radiating away from the hot water pipes and may allow you to lower the temperature setting on your water heater. If the goal of pipe insulation is to eliminate pipe sweating and humidity, then it is the cold water pipes that are in most need of insulation. When exposed cold pipes contact warm, humid air, condensation can form on the pipes.
This condensation may drip and puddle on floors, or it may contribute to overall high humidity levels, especially in basements. Insulating the cold water pipes can prevent this condensation.
There are several strategies you can use to insulate water pipes. We'll talk about insulation you can apply directly to the pipes. However, you can also consider adding wall insulation, insulating the gaps where pipes penetrate walls, and using faucet covers on outdoor spigots. When selecting water pipe insulation, consider the R-value of the various options. R-value is a measurement that quantifies the resistance to heat flow of a given material.
The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power of that material. The R-value may not be displayed on pipe insulation, so you may need to do a little research. The colder your climate, the higher the R-value you should look for when choosing pipe insulation. Remove any dirt or grease from the pipes before insulating. If you use a cleaning solution or anything damp, make sure the pipes are dry before installing the insulation.
Then use duct tape or insulating tape to secure them together. For a 90 degree curved bend, there is a slightly different method. Instead of cutting the pipe insulation in half, notches will need to be cut in one side of the insulation instead. The notches should be about 30 degrees and almost cut through the insulation completely, but with some of the insulation remaining uncut. There should be two notches cut out like this next to each other. The notches will allow the insulation to bend at the corner, and will just need sealing with tape to ensure it is secure and no heat loss occurs.
Another point at which foam pipe insulation needs cutting is at T branches within the plumbing system. To create a piece of insulation that covers a T branch, cut a degree wedge out of the main section of pipe insulation. This will allow the insulation to be fitted on the main pipe with space for the other pipe to branch off. Then take a separate piece of insulation, and cut the end with two 45 degree angles, to form a point.
This point then should fit neatly into the degree cutout in the main piece of insulation. Then, just tape the joints together to ensure no heat loss occurs. Pipe wrap insulation is often seen as an easier alternative when working on insulating a complex plumbing system.
This is because it is a straightforward insulation process, and pipe wrap insulation can fit around joints and bends easily without any extra work. To install pipe wrap insulation, tape one end of the insulation to the pipe.
Then wrap the insulation around the pipe, aiming for tight spiral loops with overlaps of half an inch or more. When you reach the end of a pipe or the end of the insulation, simply tape the insulation into place. If needed, replace the tape that is securing the joins between pieces of insulation, or replace sections of insulation that appear to have worn out or look damaged to keep the insulation performing well.
It is important to ensure all areas of the pipe network are insulated so that the pipe insulation is effective. Often there are gaps where pipes run through a wall or floor, and these can contribute to a loss of heat or increased risk of freezing.
Here at Insulation Superstore, we are proud to be able to offer a wide range of knowledge and advice, as well as the products you need to complete your latest insulation project. Feel free to call the team on or use the live chat and they will be more than happy to help.
Speak to our Super team on Speak to our Super team today on DIY Difficulty Level 5. When it comes to insulating a conservatory, there are a few ways to do so Insulation boards by Celotex can be installed in pitched roofs, flat roofs, solid masonry walls Loft ladders and hatches can provide many benefits.
DIY Difficulty Level 4. Make your job easier with product guides and how-to project guides, plus keep up-to-date with the latest from cmostores. Starting at the water heater, measure lengths of insulation needed to cover all accessible hot water pipes, especially the first 3 feet of pipe from the water heater.
It's also a good idea to insulate the cold-water inlet pipes for the first 3 feet. Tape, wire, or clamp with a cable tie it every foot or two to secure it to the pipe.
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