When Canadians face the winter season, they get worried about their pipes. We all know that pipes in winter get so extremely cold that it doesn’t move the water supply. For that reason, you don’t get a smooth water flow and feel helpless when you are in the shower with all that soap on your body.
Sometimes, burst pipe problems can happen if the water temperature drops to minus Celsius and then it doesn’t move. For that reason, you need to pay heavy plumbing bills because your pipes are not good. You can save yourself by insulating your pipes in winter. Now you can ask questions like how to insulate a water pipe outside, then this blog will give you answers.
As you move with the blog, you will get all your answers and know that pipe insulation is so much more important. Pipes are the real structure of the plumbing and if any pipe does not work, the blame goes to its non-maintenance. Without chatting a lot, we are telling you why pipes need insulation and how you can do this stuff at home by reading this blog.
Which Type Of Pipe Needs Insulation?
The cold water pipes in your home need insulation because they can freeze in winter in minutes. If you don’t do pipe insulation, then you need to be ready for leaks and damage to your pipes. In the same way, hot water pipes also need insulation because they will keep the water heated when you want a shower at night or early in the morning. Apart from that, outside pipes mostly need insulation because they are in open space and snow can freeze the water inside the pipes.
Does the Heating Pipe Need Insulation?
Yes, if you insulate the heating pipe then it will keep the water hot throughout the day and night. Also, you will never have to face problems like leakages because of pipe bursts. That’s why, insulating hot water pipes is the best way to save money on the plumbing of the house.
How To Insulate Cold Water Pipes?
Before we begin explaining how to insulate cold water pipes, it’s great to know what pipe insulation is and why you need one. The pipe insulation will cover your pipes and heat it so you get a good water flow in your kitchen and bathroom even in winter. Now that you know about pipe insulation, follow the below steps to do it yourself.
Check The Pipe Size
You will need tape to check the pipe size first. So, take a tape and wrap it around the pipe. Then, note all the size measurements of the pipe in the diary. Now, check the length of the pipe from beginning to end. Make sure that you take all sizes correctly so there is no chance of mistakes. If you see that your pipes are in different sizes then check the size of each. It’s important that you note all the sizes and take the correct diameter of the pipes.
Select The Insulation Material
You will find different types of insulation material at the plumbing shop. Choose a material that is perfect quality, size, and compatibility with your present pipes. Right now, there are three types of insulation materials that you can choose from. The plumber uses foam pipe insulation because it’s easy to apply. You can just apply the foam pipe sleeves on the pipes and it’s done. Then, you can also go for fiberglass insulation which has a higher thermal cover to heat the pipes. Lastly, we have another option which is rubber insulation and it’s perfect for covering outdoor pipes in your home.
Cut Insulation According To Pipe Size
Once you buy the insulation material, you need to cut it before applying it as per the pipe size. In the beginning, you already took the sizes so now it’s time to cut the insulation with a knife. If you have got foam insulation, cut them in big lengths to cover pipes properly. One thing to note here is that some insulation comes with pre-cut sizes so make sure you check the size.
Apply Insulation Properly
Now it’s time to apply the insulation on pipes. If you are using foam insulation, then cover it around the pipes and push it down so it will stick to the pipes nicely. When it comes to using fiberglass insulation, you need to join the ends with tape. When you start applying, go slow and cover every side and corner of the pipes so they can stay on it for a longer time.
Join The Pipes To Cover Any Gaps Or Joints
At the time of applying insulation, if you see any gaps or joints that are not covered properly, you can use clamps or taps. We want to make sure that no cold air passes through the pipes and makes your plumbing hard to manage. So, when you catch any gaps, apply tape over there. When using clamps, you need to put them at a distance from each other so the insulation will stick to the pipes.
Conclusion
Going for pipe insulation is a good option for homeowners living in cold places. When you wake up to bad working faucets and water heaters not working well, your life gets disturbed. For that reason, don’t make your life harder and go for pipe insulation of pipes. In this blog, you have already got a clue about how to insulate outside water pipes from freezing. Hope all the steps above give you a practical idea on how to go about pipe insulation.
Protect Your Pipes With the Best Plumbing Services
Plumbing is not hard especially when you have a good plumbing company number saved on your phone. We all want a smooth water flow in the house especially in the cold season. So, don’t forget pipe insulation and call TrustFlow to help your pipes with better plumbing services.
