Put insulation on pipes off faucets?

Question

I bought a house that was built in 1958 and it has exterior water faucets that just stick out from holes in walls with no insulation or covers over them. I can see the pipe going back from the faucet into the depth of the walls. Looks like they have always been this way so they must have worked OK for the previous owner. I bought it as foreclosure and it needed a lot of exterior work. Inspector said nothing about these faucets needing any insulation or covers over the pipes. I would just as soon leave them alone if they will not freeze. Do you think it is OK to leave them the way they are or do I need to put insulation around these pipes to keep them from freezing?

Answer 1

It's irrelevant as to whether or not it's needed or if it freezes or not.

The inspector wants it - so you do it.

You're lucky that's all he asked for.
If you don't do it, he'll probably cite that and maybe go find a few more technicalities that might cost real money to fix....

Get some cheap fiber glass pipe insulation (usually yellow and 3-4 inches in width on a roll, and wrap it around the pipe(s)
as far as the inspector can see down with a flashlight.

Usually it's then wrapped with some kind of clear plastic to keep the insulation from becoming damp.


The pipe probably never froze become it got enough warmth from the house. Also, there might be a shutoff nearby that was used. If you don't need the faucets in the winter, use the shutoff and go turn them on until the empty out.

If you're fixing this up, the changes you make could change that and the faucets could really start freezing up.

It's not the freezing that's bad. It the thawing out that sucks.

Answer 2

1) It would be a good idea to drain the pipes by finding an Interior faucet on each pipeand turning it off. First, turn on the exterior faucet , so as to drain the pipe.

2) If you can put insulation around those pipes, that would probably be sufficient.

2) You can buy faucets that are "freeze-proof" . Just disconnect any garden hose before winter. No need to drain the pipes but I do that anyway.

Answer 3

I, too, have a home that was built in early 50's. I have never put insulation around the pipes, of course I live in deep south Texas. We do get down to freezing temps. but not the whole winter. I just let the water run very, very slowly and have never had a problem, previous owners(my parents) never had a prob. either. Good luck

Answer 4

Is there water in the pipes? Does it get below freezing where you live? You don't sat where you live.
If the answer to these 2 questions is yes then yours a pretty silly question isn't it?

Answer 5

the heat in the basement will keep it from freezing, but you can insulate if you want, use the expanding form in a can and it will seal the whole at the same time

Answer 6

it cant hurt, and is cheap compared to a broken pipe, make sure to get some dolly partons to cover outside faucet in winter

Answer 7

sophisticated aspect. seek using yahoo or google. that will will help!