Crawlspace fun — protecting pipes
Well, we’ve been in our 100-year-old farm house for 8 months now, and it looks like it is time to journey into the crawl space and look at the ducts (they’ll need some attention after the spring flood we had!!!), look at insulating the pipes, and other crawl-space fun activities!!
My question is, right now, about protecting the pipes for winter. They are all PVC, and I’d like to get some good advice on what product is gonna work best. I was looking at a flyer from Menards a week or so ago, and the selection of possible products was a bit overwhelming for me!
If you have any advice for sealing or wrapping heating ducts, that would be welcomed, too.
I just read the thread that recommended insualting the perimeter of the crawl space wall, and will be looking into that some more!
Looking forward to you advice!
Doug
Northeast Indiana
Replies
It's possible you might not have to protect the pipes, depending on (i) the state of the foundation and (ii) whether any pipes are very close to vents or gaps.
I'm in pretty much the same climate (NW Ohio) and most crawl spaces I go through are relatively warm, especially where there are ducts in the crawl.
If it's a relatively well sealed foundation (i'e, you don't see much daylight and no pipes go near vents, just monitor the temp down there (use an indoor/outdoor thermometer.)
If it's not well sealed, concentrate on sealing it (expanding foam will usually work) and you'll (i) protect the pipes and (ii) cut down on the heating bills.
The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. Max Lucado
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
My guess would be that insulating the perimiter of the crawlspace would be best overall.
Insulating the pipes won't keep them from freezing - It will just slow the process down.
Heck is where people go that don't believe in gosh.
I agree with BossHog it may be enough to simply insulate the foundation also consider a barrier film over the crawl space soil up onto the wall under the insulation. FHB had an article a while back about this. Anyone remember the issue? I'll go looking.
A mighty big thanks to all for that advice. That is the reason I come here again and again!
I am laughing to think that I was gonna wrap all those pipes, and come to find out the best thing to do for the pipes, and the house, is to insulate the perimeter wall of the crawl space!!
I gues I know what I'll be doing this weekend!
Doug
Northeast Indiana
I know a guy who had exposed pipes in an unheated garage. Put insulation on them. Was surprised when they froze. Insulation does not produce any heat.
Now, there are some words to remember: Insulation does not produce any heat.
That succinct sentence seems to speak volumes!!
Doug