When wrapping exposed pipes (outside a house) in cold weather what should I use to wrap the pipes?

Question

In other words, what kind of materials do I need to buy to wrap the pipes outside. Any other related advice that you might have will be appreciated.

Answer 1

Most better lumber yard or home improvement centers can show you the heat tape and insulating wrap you will need for this task. There is a thermostat device that can turn the electricity on and off as the temperature rises and falls so you don't waste electricity.
Good luck....

Answer 2

Home Depot sells an insulating sleeve that can easily be cut to length. I think they sell 6 foot lenghts. They are the same material as the swimming pool "noodle" tubes the kids play with. Cut it to length and just slip it over the exposed pipe. Works great on those 32 degree mornings in California, but that doesn't mean it will work in places that gets really cold all day long.

If a freeze happens before you get to the store, simple open the faucet that's attached to the exposed pipe so that you create a few drop dripping action. That will keep the water flowing and keep it from freezing.

Answer 3

The best insulation is lengths of foam sized to fit different pipe diameters. They are split with a joint lengthwise that has a peel and stick surface - just cut to length, slip over the pipe, peel off the protective tape, and stick the sides together. At pipe bends, cut both pieces on a 45 degree angle and push together.
You can get this material at most home improvement or plumbing stores.

Answer 4

Heat tape is the best if it gets really cold. Put that on first. Wrap the pipes in insulation, the stuff you put in the walls of your home, and than wrap in plastic. Secure with duct tape. this should keep them from freezing.

Answer 5

You can use ordinary newspaper, wrap it around the pipes & tape it together with some duct tape. It is inexpensive and it works good. I do it all the time when it's nearing a freeze.

Answer 6

If it gets cold enough...you need to put on heat tape first.

Your home center, or even WalMart, has kits with fiberglass wrap and plastic to go over that.

Answer 7

put pipe insulation around them. It comes in different sizes then build some sort of box around them to keep the wind off them.

Answer 8

there is a company in us called supertherm they make ceramic based coating it is good insulant it protects pipes from cyclic variation of temprature

Answer 9

as silly as it may sound use human skin