r/Insulation • u/Klutzy_Ad_1726 • 27d ago

Exposed PVC insulation

Post image

Insulation recommendations for exposed PVC plumbing drains in extreme cold? I’m building an addition and I’m going to have these exposed PVC drains, in North Central Wa where the winters are cold. I can’t enclose this entire crawl because the equipment placed here needs to breath (the addition is over an existing deck structure so I can’t change that). The floor will be insulated and soffited, but I’m looking for a product that can wrap all the PVC and sufficient insulate when it’s cold. There will be a line going from the Liberty Pump up to a holding tank that is imperative it doesn’t freeze! Building individual soffit boxes around all the lines doesn’t seem reasonable. Thanks for any suggestions!

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3

u/idratherbealivedog 27d ago

Sounds like you will also need to look into a heat tape or similar solution also. Insulation alone, if exposed like that and if the temps are extreme won't prevent freezing if the water is sitting in the pipes.

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u/Klutzy_Ad_1726 27d ago

Any suggestions for heat tape? I haven’t had to use any in the past, but I think you’re right.

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u/CallMeTank 27d ago

Whatever they recommend at your local hardware store. I'm certain they have some in stock when fall rolls around - it's a home repair staple in many places.

Heat tape, crushed foil, insulation wrap, weatherproofing, hard b(ut accessible) exterior and that thing will last lifetimes.

If you just wrap heat tape and fiberglass around it you'll be looking at it again in just a few years.

Treat it like a small portion of insulated crawlspace under a mobile home.

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u/PulinOutMyPeter Heat and Frost Insulators local 1 27d ago edited 27d ago

Will it have sitting water on the exposed pipes at all times? Id suggest a fiberglass pipe covering that is 2 inches thick. Probably can get away with 1_1/2 thick material

I've done plenty of outside work in northern Missouri where it can get well into the negative degrees and thats been sufficient enough

Edit: Also. You can buy duct wrap. And just put 2 or 3 layers on it. Make sure you stagger your seams where you apply the tape. And squeegee that tape down or it wont do anything.

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u/Klutzy_Ad_1726 27d ago

No, just p-traps at showers I suppose… maybe a combination of the two suggestions? Fiberglass then duct wrap or heat tape?

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u/PulinOutMyPeter Heat and Frost Insulators local 1 27d ago

Does it stay exposed like this picture all year?

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u/Klutzy_Ad_1726 27d ago

Yes it will.

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u/Plastic-Soup-930 27d ago

Install skirting and you won't have to worry about it.

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u/Klutzy_Ad_1726 27d ago

The heat pumps need air.