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Funny thing, as I was installing a pedestal sink, I opened the wall to put in blocking between the studs for hanging the basin, and noted that the channels between the studs where the hot and cold water supply pipes are located were not insulated — totally empty. The remaining channels have blown in cellulose, as this is an exterior wall (facing westward). House is about sixty years old, and I presume it’s gone through that many winters (including many with weeks of twenty below temps) without the pipes freezing. The house was re-sided a few years ago, and foam insulation was added under the siding.
Question is, should I insulate the channels or not? Will insulating increase or decrease the potential for the pipes freezing under sub-zero conditions? One thought would be that not having insulation allows some interior heat to enter the pipe area and that the exterior siding and foam sheathing are sufficient to prevent freezing. Insulating the area could actually decrease the temperature around the pipes. Another thought says this is hogwash and that insulation is always a good idea.
Replies
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Hi Barry,
What about insulating behind the pipes, but not in front of them? You could cut and foam into place 2" thermax or as much as you can get behind the pipes. Or if it's a short run, foam them in, then gouge out the foam from the interior wall surface to the pipes. Best of both trains of thougt?
Steve
*Maybe warm air is flowing up the stud bay like a chimney and out of the building? I did what steve suggests.My reaction is that if it ain't broke don't fix it. Mention it to the homeowner, though -- if it's really cold they might want to leave a trickle of water running.
*Always insulate. If in doubt insulate on cold side only. Check and fix any air infiltration that may be flowing in bay. Depending on how cold cold is; DO NOT leave water running in cold, it causes the sewer lines to freeze in really cold temps.
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Funny thing, as I was installing a pedestal sink, I opened the wall to put in blocking between the studs for hanging the basin, and noted that the channels between the studs where the hot and cold water supply pipes are located were not insulated -- totally empty. The remaining channels have blown in cellulose, as this is an exterior wall (facing westward). House is about sixty years old, and I presume it's gone through that many winters (including many with weeks of twenty below temps) without the pipes freezing. The house was re-sided a few years ago, and foam insulation was added under the siding.
Question is, should I insulate the channels or not? Will insulating increase or decrease the potential for the pipes freezing under sub-zero conditions? One thought would be that not having insulation allows some interior heat to enter the pipe area and that the exterior siding and foam sheathing are sufficient to prevent freezing. Insulating the area could actually decrease the temperature around the pipes. Another thought says this is hogwash and that insulation is always a good idea.