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Message
Product to insulate PEX lines in attic
Posted on 1/17/24 at 3:33 pm
Posted on 1/17/24 at 3:33 pm
With the recent cold weather, I learned a couple things.
1. Some of my PEX water lines in the attic will and do freeze even though I kept a slight stream of water flowing in the faucets (cold and hot).
2. My outdoor patio does not have insulation above the tongue and groove wood ceiling.
First question is, is it normal for my outdoor patio ceiling to not be insulated? It's tongue and groove, and it is under the roof. The area is pretty large (roughly 20'x30x and you can feel the draft of cold air coming from there. One of my tankless water heaters is really close to that and I'm sure that contributed to some of my issues. For those that have an outdoor covered patio like this, is your tongue and groove ceiling insulated above it?
Next question is, what products would you use to insulate your PEX water lines in the attic? Ideally, the lines would have been run UNDER insulation. Unfortunately, that's not the case. The lines are mostly right on top the insulation or just under it. Is there a sleeve you'd recommend, or would you have more insulation blown on top of it?
Thanks for any feedback you can give me. I'd like to not wake up every 2 hours just to run water full blast to prevent freezing in the future.
1. Some of my PEX water lines in the attic will and do freeze even though I kept a slight stream of water flowing in the faucets (cold and hot).
2. My outdoor patio does not have insulation above the tongue and groove wood ceiling.
First question is, is it normal for my outdoor patio ceiling to not be insulated? It's tongue and groove, and it is under the roof. The area is pretty large (roughly 20'x30x and you can feel the draft of cold air coming from there. One of my tankless water heaters is really close to that and I'm sure that contributed to some of my issues. For those that have an outdoor covered patio like this, is your tongue and groove ceiling insulated above it?
Next question is, what products would you use to insulate your PEX water lines in the attic? Ideally, the lines would have been run UNDER insulation. Unfortunately, that's not the case. The lines are mostly right on top the insulation or just under it. Is there a sleeve you'd recommend, or would you have more insulation blown on top of it?
Thanks for any feedback you can give me. I'd like to not wake up every 2 hours just to run water full blast to prevent freezing in the future.
3
Posted on 1/17/24 at 4:00 pm to AFtigerFan
quote:
is it normal for my outdoor patio ceiling to not be insulated?
Unless your patio is enclosed and heated/cooled, then there is no need to insulate it.
quote:
It's tongue and groove, and it is under the roof. The area is pretty large (roughly 20'x30x and you can feel the draft of cold air coming from there.
Where were you at when you felt this draft? In the attic? Unless you have a semi climate controlled attic, there would be no need to insulate it.
Posted on 1/17/24 at 4:06 pm to AFtigerFan
You just use the insulation like pool noodles, its called pipe insulation for water lines OP. Its slit so it just slides right over. Very simple. Its not a guarantee though in your attic if it gets cold enough it can still freeze.
Posted on 1/17/24 at 4:25 pm to MikeBRLA
quote:
Unless your patio is enclosed and heated/cooled, then there is no need to insulate it.
This - you only attic insulate over conditioned (heated/cooled) areas (standard fiberglass/celluose insulation, not referring to roof spray foam).
Posted on 1/17/24 at 5:27 pm to CrawDude
quote:I appreciate it, and that's what I figured. The draft coming in the attic last night contributed to the water lines in that area freezing. I was trying to figure out some options. Sounds like the best option is to insulate the actual PEX lines themselves.
you only attic insulate over conditioned (heated/cooled) areas (standard fiberglass/celluose insulation, not referring to roof spray foam).
Posted on 1/17/24 at 6:30 pm to AFtigerFan
What you want is called pipe heat tape.
Can find it on Amazon, etc.
Can find it on Amazon, etc.
Posted on 1/17/24 at 6:35 pm to AFtigerFan
I add heat to my attic in extreme cold temps (in addition to dripping both hot and cold at all faucets).
Posted on 1/18/24 at 7:11 am to tide06
quote:
What you want is called pipe heat tape.
+1. In the industrial world this is called heat tracing. Essentially it’s a flat resistor connected to a thermostat. When the temperature approaches freezing, the cable energizes and heats the pipe. It’s very simple and can work great to not have to rely on insulation. However, if you lose power you’d still have to worry about freezing.
LINK
Posted on 1/18/24 at 7:44 am to bapple
quote:
It’s very simple and can work great to not have to rely on insulation.
I don’t find insulation that effective past a certain temperature. Foam for instance usually only buys you 5-10 degrees of protection unless you have an ambient heat source nearby.
If you want to not have to worry about it anymore in a situation with an exposed supply line you install the pipe heat tape (5 mins), cover it with foam wrap to protect it (10 mins) and never think about it again.
To your point, if you lose power with copper supply lines and it gets to single digits you’re SOL no matter what, but pipe heat tape even without insulation is rated down to -40 and doesn’t even require you to turn it on once it’s plugged in so for me at $35 it’s the obvious choice.
Posted on 1/18/24 at 8:38 am to tide06
quote:
To your point, if you lose power with copper supply lines and it gets to single digits you’re SOL no matter what, but pipe heat tape even without insulation is rated down to -40 and doesn’t even require you to turn it on once it’s plugged in so for me at $35 it’s the obvious choice.
Agreed. And you could still use a portable generator to heat the pipe and keep water running so there are options if the utility power were to go out
Posted on 1/18/24 at 9:27 am to bapple
quote:
pipe heat tape
I’d go with a passive option first if you can find one. Too many fires have started because of heat tape for me to use it unless I absolutely have to.
Posted on 1/18/24 at 2:07 pm to tide06
If you have copper pipes, a deep freeze AND lose power, you better know how to turn off your water and drain the lines! 
Posted on 1/18/24 at 2:13 pm to TimeOutdoors
quote:
Too many fires have started because of heat tape
Is there a certain brand to stay away from? First I hear of heat tape and it surely could’ve benefited me through this recent freeze.
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