What is the best pipe insulation for a one galvanized pipe that is in my unheated basement?
Now with a wonderful renovation they no longer have any covering on them and I want to know what the best wrap for cold protection.
Opinions please?
What is the best pipe insulation for a one galvanized pipe that is in my unheated basement?
Now with a wonderful renovation they no longer have any covering on them and I want to know what the best wrap for cold protection.
Opinions please?
Learn more about the benefits and compliance details for the DOE's new water heater energy-efficiency standards.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
Fine Homebuilding
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
© 2024 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.
Start Your Free TrialStart your subscription today and save up to 70%
SubscribeGet complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.
Already a member? Log in
Replies
Foam is better than fiberglass because moisture and sweating will saturate fiberglass.
Wrong! If the pipes are insulated they can not sweat and if it is a heat pipe it will not sweat anyway.
Edited 8/12/2007 3:29 pm ET by reinvent
Pipes that are insulated certainly can sweat. The metal surface of the pipe can pick up condensation that diffuses through the fiberglass. If the fiberglass were jacketed with a completely vapor proof covering and all the seams were sealed, then moisture could not get in, but almost no one will cover over fiberglass with an impermeable cover and seal up all the joints and ends sufficiently to keep moisture out. As more and more moisture builds up the insulation cools further and the problem accelerates.
What is the galvi pipe carrying? If it is steam you have to use FG, the foam will melt. Otherwise your choice. FG has better R value BTW
Foam is more readily available and easier to deal with. Can't handle steam, of course.
Remember that all insulation is a time delay.
If it is a cold water pipe in an unheated space eventually it will freeze if the temps drop below freezing for long enough.
Insulating HW pipes is to keep the heat in the pipe.
R-4 is UPC minimum ( 1/2")
If your in a sub zero climate I would heat trace all pipes in an unheated space & use 1" thick insulation.
Ok so with the available foam wrap since there are different colors is that just for looks or is it for R value?
Is there one brand better than another?
I only use a couple of brands of foam type insulations----- rubitex, & armaflex.
I haven't seen any color designations.
Rubitex makes better bends, & armaflex holds up better in direct bury applications.
The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.
-- Albert Einstein