How to install pipe insulation yourself?
The insulation in your home is only as effective as its weakest link. Pipes could be this weak link, as often, it is left uninsulated and uncared for.
Pipe insulation helps save your hard-earned pounds, makes your indoors comfortable and increases the lifespan of your plumbing system. It also protects the pipes from condensation issues, pipe sweating, freezing and bursts. When you buy pipe insulation online, you offset more carbon by saving fuel, otherwise spent on travelling to your local store.
Installation of pipe insulation is relatively easy, and you can do it yourself. We will look into the installation steps in this blog.
Before we jump right into the topic, let us look into the pipes that need to be insulated:
1. The pipes in your lofts:
Loft insulation laid between and over the joists will prevent heat from entering your loft. The pipes running through this space are more likely prone to freezing and hence need to be lagged.
2. All hot water pipes:
Hot water pipe insulation ensures no heat is lost. It enables you to enjoy a warm shower when it is cold outside.
It is why you should insulate pipes coming from the boilers or radiators all along up to their final destination. These include boiler pipes, central heating pipes and pipes that flow to and from the cylinder.
3. External Pipework:
When the pipes placed outside the building are left exposed to extreme temperatures, they either freeze or burst. Insulating them not only prevents these issues but also ensures that they have a long and healthier lifespan.
What type of pipe insulation do I require?
There are many different types of pipe insulation products in the market today, each with its set properties. We store some of the best pipe insulation products, handpicked just for you. You can easily install these pipe sections yourself by simply following the steps below:
For Self-Sealing Pipe Insulation: The main feature of self-seal pipe insulation is that the slits down one side of the pipe insulation contain self-sealing strips. It makes the installation process quick and easy and reduces the time by half. It is also easy to insulate ‘difficult-to-reach’ spots with self-seal pipe insulation from K-flex insulations.
Wipe down the pipe surface that is to be insulated to remove any dirt or dust particles. Cut the insulation to size using a sharp knife. Put the insulation around the pipe, peel the release strips and secure the insulation by applying pressure to the joints at all points. You would not need adhesive or tapes for this installation.
Installation of Foam Pipe Insulation: Installing foam pipe insulation, like Armacell Tubolit, on a pipe is simple. Let us look into the installation steps:
How to install pipe insulation yourself?
Tools required:
- Knife for cutting the insulation to size
- Duct tape or cable ties
- Measurement tape
- A pen to mark where to cut the foam insulation.
1. Measure the diameter of the pipework to ensure you have the correct size of pipe insulation. The right pipe insulation size would depend on the diameter of the pipe. Measure the pipe lengths that need to be insulated to determine the amount of insulation you need.
Measure the first length of pipe you'll be working on. Wipe the surface off to free it from any dust or impurities. Cut the pipe insulation to the required size with a knife. Open the foam insulation at the pre-cut slit and slide the insulation over the pipe. Seal the insulation using double-sided tape, adhesive or insulating tape.
2.For a 90-degree bend: Cut the ends of the two lengths of insulation tubes at a 45° angle if you reach a 90-degree sharp bend. Attach both lengths to the pipe with their 45° ends meeting at the 90° right-angle bend. To seal the joint, use duct tapes or insulating tape.
3.T-shaped bends: First, cut a 90-degree wedge out of the main portion of pipe insulation to make a piece of insulation that covers a T branch. Cut the end of the tube that is to be linked at 90° at two 45° angles to make a point. Then, place the pointed end into the 90° cut-out in the main tube. To seal the joint, wrap the insulating tape around the T-piece.
4.90-degree curvy bends: Instead of cutting the pipe insulation in half, like we do when insulating sharp 90-degree bend, here we cut two notches at 30-degree angles next to each other, throughout the length of the insulation. Fit the pipe insulation onto the pipe with the notches on the inside of the 90-degree curve. The insulation will bend at the corner due to the notches. Tape the cuts over to ensure no heat is lost.
5.To join the lengths of insulation: You'll have to attach two pieces of insulation now and again. Hold and seal the insulation lengths together with duct tape.
If small gaps or spaces of pipes that run along the wall are left uninsulated, insulate it with small sections of pipe lagging to save energy. Just cut a new piece of insulation tube to the length of the space between the end of the last piece of insulation tube and the wall bracket. Continue with a new piece of insulating tubing after wrapping the tube around the pipe. Apply insulating tape to the ends of the two insulation tubes and firmly press them together.
Conclusion:
You can make your home more energy-efficient by insulating your pipes. It is probably the cheapest and most cost-effective way of doing so. Insulate all the pipes of your home, both hot and cold. Also, make sure you regularly check the insulation on your pipes for any issues.
For quality pipe insulation products and accessories at the lowest possible prices, visit www.buyinsulationonline.co.uk. We house duct insulation loft insulation, wall insulation, heating tapes, thermal insulation jacket and many more products, all carefully selected and put together just for you.
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