How to Insulate Water Pipes?

I nsulating your water pipelines can help you save money on both energy and water costs. You'll wonder why you didn't read up on how to insulate water pipes sooner because it's so simple.

Heat loss from water supply pipes is anticipated to be reduced by 2 to 4 degrees of temperature when they are properly insulated. To top it all off, you won't be wasting any water since you won't be waiting around for hot water.

Insulating all of your water pipes may be done in a few hours if they are easily located and accessible.

Insulating Water Supply Pipes

Insulating isn't necessary for all types of pipes. Insulation is required mostly only for the water pipes that carry hot water. In fact, as a general rule, if you have complete access to every one of your hot water system pipework, try to insulate the whole run from the hot water tank up to various outlets such as the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, the showers, as well as the bathtubs.

It is not necessary to insulate the water pipes that go to the water heater. Insulation isn't necessary for pipes that provide cold water to different sections of the home.

How to Choose  the right Pipe Insulation Material

Insulation for Fiberglass Pipes

Fiberglass pipe insulation is available in the form of long strips of fiberglass, similar to the sort used in walls and attics to insulate pipes. Insulation is wrapped all around pipes like duct tape and is coated on one end with a foil coating.

Using fiberglass pipe insulation near water heaters or furnaces is highly recommended. Fiberglass pipe insulation may also be utilized in regions where the pipe twists and turns often, as it is simple to wrap around bends.

Insulation for pipes made of foam.

Eight-foot long tubes of foam pipe insulation are split lengthwise so that they may be used to insulate pipelines. To adhere the two halves of the split together, plastic strips that cover the adhesive are removed.

Insulation for foam pipes is useful for water supply that travels long distances. The foam material easily covers the pipes in longitudinal fashion.

However, the technique of installing foam insulation around corners is more difficult than installing fiberglass pipe insulation. Two sections of pipe insulation must be cut at 45 degrees and then welded together to complete the job. The elbows and tees may also be purchased separately to avoid having to cut at an angle.

When Is It Necessary to Insulate Water Pipes?

The fact that insulating house water pipes is an indoor task means that it can be completed at any time of the year. Preferably you should insulate your pipes as soon as the cold weather arrives in your location.

How to Insulate Water Pipes

Precautions to Take

Protect yourself and your family by keeping the white cloth-like asbestos pipe insulation in place. Asbestosis, an aggressive lung disease, may be caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Asbestos may also cause mesothelioma, a disease that is virtually always deadly, if it is inhaled.

Tools

A Cutlery scraper, utility knives, Scissors, Square, Measuring Tape, Flashlight, A Ladder, Protection against inhalation (a mask), a pair of goggles, Gloves.

Materials

1. Foam pipe elbows and tees 
2. Foam pipe insulation
3. Foil tape
4. Cable zip ties
5. Fiberglass tape insulation

Instructions

• The Water Heater should be insulated, as well as the area around it.

Using fiberglass tape, insulate the water heater's hot water supply line. About 10 inches in length. Use foil tape to secure it.

• Be sure you bend the insulation in all of the right directions.

To make 90-degree bends in foam pipe insulation, cut one sheet of insulation at a 45-degree angle using a square and utility knife. Next, cut a 45-degree angle in a second piece of foam insulation. Adjoin the two parts of insulation with their angled ends touching and press them together.

• Remove the Adhesive Strips

Remove the foam insulation from the pipe after it has been measured and dry fitted. Pipe insulation that has been cut in half should have the adhesive backing removed using two strips of tape.

• Insulate Pipes using Foam Insulation

Carefully lay the insulation on the pipes while keeping the two sticky ends apart with your fingers. After that, use your fingers to firmly attach the adhesive portions.

• Insulation must be well-secured

Foil tape or cable zip ties may be used to fasten the foam insulation to the pipes, depending on the thickness of the foam.

• Maintain insulation for long runs

Ladder access to pipes high in the joists area. The lengthy water supply pipes that go to the house's numerous water distribution locations, particularly the kitchen and bathroom, should continue to be insulated with foam.

• Distribute Points at the End

Continue to insulate the pipes until you reach a point at which water pipes enter the uppermost story of the building. Under-cabinet water supply lines should not be wrapped. Remember, you can always purchase manuals with pictures on how to insulate water pipes if you don’t understand a step.

Also educate yourself about the myths about plumbing before embarking on this project.