Heat tape ~and~ insulation?
I have illegal PVC pipes that run along the outside of my house rather than the inside or 2 feet underground. They freeze in the winter, and I can’t afford to bring them up to code quite yet. My plumber suggested I wrap them with heat tape.
1. Do I put the heat tape around the Foam Insulation?
2. Do I put the heat tape directly on the PVC, then put the insulation foam over it, like body heat under a jacket?
3. Do I keep it plugged in constantly?
4. Is there a safe way to stash the plug in the warmer months in case I need the outlet for something else like a hedge trimmer?
I do not have a basement, and am not sure if I should use tape, insulation, or both, and how.
Yes on #2 and you should have a timer and thermostat. Yes, unplug when you don’t need it.
Hey! where can i buy foam pipe insulation?
well, ultimately you could put it inside, if you have a basement, drill a hole through the wall, re route the pipe, but if you’re not much of a do-it-yourself er, put the foam on the pipe the wrap all JOINTS in tape, wrapping the foam itself wont help
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Heat tape goes under the foam - it doesn’t generate heat fast enough to keep a bare pipe warm and it really won’t work if the heat has to go through the foam to get to the pipe.
You leave it plugged in all the time, there is a little thermostat on the heat tape that will keep it from running when the temp is above freezing.
You just gotta tuck the plug somewhere it won’t get stepped on or run over by the lawn mower.
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Mike is right on!
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Yes on #2 and you should have a timer and thermostat. Yes, unplug when you don’t need it.
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Check the heat tape when you buy it. I don’t think all of them have thermostat switches, so make sure the one you buy does. And like they said, the tape goes under the insulation.
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