I remodeled my cabin to a four season home. My pipes have frozen twice. I removed casing because I was planning to install heat tape. I noticed my builder had not put any installation behind the pipes. I do have styrofoam covers on the pipes, but that is it. It is a Northern exposure wall and the wind comes right at it. The heat tape I have seen is not recommended for use inside of a wall. I am wondering if I insulated the wall behind the pipes, and purchased better insulating material for the pipes if this would suffice. Would cutting 1 inch holes into the casing allow warm room air to enter into the casing? Lastly, a friend recommended stainless steel heatape. Does anybody know anything about
this, and where I can purchase it? what about heat eleents that go inside the pipe such as 1" BRASS NPT SCREW PLUG HEATER 60 – 86 WSI for instance
Preventing pipes on an outside wall from freezing
heatinsulationpex
Related Solutions
Something like this foam pipe insulation should do the job:
Source - UK site, but you should be able to source this in the States.
It's split down the length so you can wrap it round existing pipes. It's flexible and easily cut so you can do corners and bends too. You might need to tape it a regular intervals to keep the insulation in place if there's not a lot of room between the pipes and any walls/beams.
There is a time aspect not just r-value. No matter what r-value something has it doesn't keep something warmer for an infinite amount of time. If there is no temperature coming from inside the pipe (pipes just laying there), then the pipes will very soon be the same temperature as outside.
What you are relying on is the temperature inside the housing to provide this section of pipe with warmer air. Which depends on the temperature inside and the amount of water flow through this section. Really no way to answer the question accurately because there are a ton of variables. You are going to get way more warm (inside) air dispersed on the pipe by keeping the water running than by putting a sleeve on it for example.
Related Topic
- PEX Pipes running along Ceiling on Inside Wall
- Preventing outside heat from hitting cabinets
- Plumbing – How to protect this plumbing in an exterior wall from freezing
- How to protect PEX pipes from puncture
- Can these windows be shuttered from light in a simple and efficient way
- Water – Pipes on Exterior Wall
Best Answer
You have to get insulation between those pipes and the outside wall of the cabin and lots of it. Don't insulated the warm side of those pipes. That is the only heat that keeps the pipes from freezing. I wouldn't pursue the heat tape idea. Put all of your effort into insulation the cold side of those pipes. And keep the interior of the cabin above 60* all year. You will eventually get it. Good Luck. You can always let the water trickle from a faucet on those cold and windy nights. Additional thought, in general the exterior wall of he cabin must be well insulated. Hope this helps. Good Luck.