Insulating Pipes - Application & Installation Advice
As the focus in these modern times shifts toward protecting the environment and reducing energy emissions, looking to improve upon energy savings has become a priority for most modern households. Pipe insulation one step toward lowering home energy emissions and at the same time helping the environment. It not only helps the planet but by using pipe insulation it can also help reduce household energy bills and keep a home much warmer during those colder months.
Why We Need To Insulate Pipes
The main benefits from insulating cold and hot water pipes are:
Insulation Can Reduce Heat Loss From Pipes
Insulating hot pipes can prevent heat loss and keep the water 2 degrees than without insulation. Insulation also reduces the amount of energy used so saving money on energy bills in the longer term
Insulation Can Stop Pipes From Freezing Up
By insulating the cold water pipes especially when it comes to the colder months, this can help the pipes from freezing up and potentially bursting. It is highly important to insulate the pipes that run through the walls, are found in cold places and are found in lofts. Insulation will increase the temperature of the water running through the pipe and reduce the risks of them freezing up
Insulation Can Stop Pipes From Sweating (Yes Pipes Can Sweat)
Pipe sweating is when cold pipes come into contact with warm or humid air, this causes small droplets of water to form on the outside surface of the pipe and in turn causes condensation. This can drip onto the surrounding areas which in warm temperatures ca cause damp and mold and ultimately rot. By using insulation this can stop any condensation forming thus reducing pipe sweating and decreasing humidity.
The Types Of Pipe Insulation You Will Require
There are 3 main types of pipe insulation available on the market today and are the most widely used. Below is a brief description on each one and the specific job they do
Polyethylene Foam Pipe Insulation
This is the most popular type of closed cell piping insulation. It is used for a variety of different piping areas which include insulating central heating pipes to help prevent heating loss and also for piping found in lofts and attics to help prevent the pipes from freezing. The polyethylene foam pipe insulation is normally a hollow foam tube with a slit down one side which allows to fit over any existing pipework. It is both low cost and provides excellent insulation.
Rubber Pipe Insulation
Another popular closed cell form of pipe insulation is rubber pipe insulation produced by manufacturers such as Armacell. This type of closed cell piping is mainly used to prevent things like condensation forming in especially high humidity conditions. It is highly water resistant and can be used for type of thermal insulation due to its low thermal conductivity. Being more or less resistant to mould and bacteria, some rubber pipe insulation products also have extra anti-microbial protection.
Self-seal pipe insulation
Self-seal pipe insulation does exactly what it says on the tin. It has slits down the side of the piping insulation that simply self-seals with self-adhesive strips. Having the advantage of being self-sealing makes installing pipe insulation a lot easier and the bonus of not having to try and seal piping in those more difficult to reach areas.
How To Fix Your Pipe Insulation To Your Piping
Our simple step by step guide will teach your how to best insulate water piping
Step 1
Measure the length of your pipes
Step 2
Now measure a tube of the foam pipe insulation to the pipe length measurement you have just taken and mark with a pen on the side
Step 3
Simply cut the foam pipe insulation at the mark with a knife or cutters.
Step 4
Now slip the split edge of the insulation over the pipe you wish to lag until the whole of the insulation wraps around the piping. If you are using the self-adhesive lagging see below if not then the foam piping is in place.
Step 5
If you are using self-adhesive foam insulation turn the foam insulation around the piping until the split edge is toward you.
Step 6
Take both ends of the plastic strips and pull off. They should now automatically stick together along the seam. If they don’t as it does happen simply push them together until they do.
Handy Pipe Insulation Tips You Need to Know
Tip 1
If you do reach a 90-degree bend in your piping, take a knife and simply cut the pipe insulation at a 45-degree angle. Then all you need to do is place the two pieces of insulation together, so they cover each side of the bend in the pipework, and simply twist them so that the two ends fit together in a nice flush. Then use duct tape or insulating tape to make sure that they are secure and fitted into place.
Tip 2
It is highly important that all areas of exposed piping are insulated to ensure maximum effectiveness. Obviously there will be gaps in floorboards and flooring where piping will still be exposed and where heat will be lost. So simply plug these gaps with either a piece of foam insulation or simply spray some insulation foam into the gap.
Tip 3
Check your lagging regularly to ensure that all the insulation is still in place and take out any minor repairs to the lagging if necessary
Tip 4
The dripping tap – Research has shown that this does not stop pipes from freezing up, all it basically does is wastewater and add to the water bill! So we advise against it.
Tip 5
If you are away from home for a while during the colder months, simply switch off your water supply for the duration as this will help prevent the pipes from freezing up whilst you’re away.
We sell a wide range of insulation products for the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and the Plumbing sectors. We have pipe laggings for every size of pipe, and we can also supply each size in whatever insulation thicknesses you may require. Whatever the size of the job we have the products available for you, so why not contact us and we can advise you on the correct size and type of insulation you require to complete your job.
