Installing a heat tape?

Question

Imagine two copper water pipes extending out of a basement into a crawl space, they continue for about 10 feet, then both turn about 1 inch from the outside wall and go straight up 2 feet to the floor (this is the hot and cold water for the kitchen). I have installed a plug so I can plug the heat traces in about 6 feet back from the outside wall, now I have to replace the heat trace, I know that you have to encase the end or thermometer but having the end close to the floor could give me a false temperature reading and not allow the tape to come on in time, putting the thermometer toward the basement also gives me the same fears. Could I loop or let hang the thermometer end about 6 inches from the floor and expect safe results?

Answer 1

your idea is a good one If you tape the thermostat to the pipe where it is rising the warmer water in the pipe will rise to that location and turn the thermostat off when the rest of the pipe is still cold. I service mobile homes and this is an all too common occurrence. I will usually remove the tape that holds the thermostat to the pipe and let it hang loose in the air. The drawback is that the water in the pipe gets warm and the thermostat doesn't shut the tape down. A better solution is to use "Frostex" or "easyheat" it is more expensive but there is no thermostat and it self regulates. Gutter tapes are another alternative but don't wrap the pipe run the tape straight with the pipe.

Answer 2

Do you have the tape already? I've never actually worked with this stuff, but I understand it has to be wired together. If you have it already, it should come with wiring instructions. If you don't have the tape yet, as the other person has suggested an under tank heat pad may be a better (simpler) way to go since you can just stick it to the bottom and plug it in. A rheostat will also help you control the temperatures of the mat or tape, whichever you decide to use.

Answer 3

You can mount that Thermostatic Bulb that is on the heat tape anywhere in the crawl space because that thermostat on there kicks in at about 36 degrees Farenheit, not 32. So its important to allow it to be exposed to the AIR in the crawl space.

If you put it in contact with the say hot water pipe and then its used quite often, then the cold pipe which isnt say used at all might freeze if the crawl is 32 or below. So expose it to the Air in the crawl that is proper way.

Answer 4

The concern is not the room temperature, but the temperature of the water in the pipes. I would mount the thermometer at the coldest portion of the cold water pipe. This might be several inches back from where it elbows up toward the floor.