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The Benefits of Pipe Insulation

During the winter, pipe insulation helps keep water in exposed pipes from freezing, expanding, and potentially causing the pipe to burst – that, in turn, can result in extensive and costly damage. But the story doesn’t end there, as pipe insulation also can help your home’s safety and functional efficiency. Here’s how.

Heat Loss and Gain

As water moves through plumbing lines, hot water loses heat and cold water tends to gain heat. By adding insulation, you significantly diminish unwanted heat loss which enables heated water to reach your fixtures in less time. That also delivers reduced utility costs. Pipe insulation also enables cold water to get cold faster for that refreshing glass of water you thirst for or a coffee pot refill.

Condensation

When toilet surfaces and plumbing pipes are cooler than the air around them, you get condensation called “plumbing sweat”. This condensation can corrode pipes and fittings and provide mold with an ideal environment in which to thrive. Pipe insulation prevents warm air from reaching the cold pipes, thus eliminating plumbing sweat.

Burns

If your home has exposed pipes, you risk being burned when touching one – without insulation, that is.

Types of Pipe Insulation

Not all insulation is created equal. Some is more suitable for hot water applications while others include a vapor barrier ideal for controlling condensation. Here are the most common types:

• Conventional foam insulation comes with a slit along the side for easy installation. Simply place it over the pipe and seal the slit shut.
• Self-sealing foam insulation has an adhesive strip along the slit so you don’t need any tape to seal it.
• Spray foam insulation is typically installed by pros in areas where there is too little space between plumbing pipes and exterior walls.
• Fiberglass covers are typically reserved for instances where pipe temperatures are unusually high.

As you can see, pipe insulation is not just about frozen pipe prevention. Instead, it provides year-round advantages. To learn more or request a free proposal, contact Messmer Mechanical today.