Insulating Pex Pipe Freezing

Pex tubing is susceptible to cracking when it s exposed to freezing temperatures or ultraviolet light.

Insulating pex pipe freezing.

But insulating pex pipes makes sense because although they are less likely to crack than other types of pipes they are still susceptible to ultraviolet light and freezing. Insulate pex pipe exposed to freezing temperatures. During spells of acutely cold weather allow indoor faucets to dribble to relieve damaging. How to insulate pex.

Use pex pipe for your water line. Because pex piping is flexible it is often used in angles loops or other non linear shapes which makes it imperative to have equally flexible insulation material. Keep the tubing shielded from both hazards to increase its life. Select localities colder climate zones recommend r value of 4 0 and above 5 8 walls.

Foam is used most commonly and generally works well. Animals of all kinds like to chew the insulation. Doe recommends pipe insulation with a minimum of 3 0 r value 3 8 thick insulation walls. Tips for insulating pex pipes.

Pex is a type of plastic water pipe and one of the few options that won t crack if something goes wrong and the water it carries freezes. So keeping these tubes wrapped in some kind of insulation just makes sense. While pex does not ordinarily burst in the cold the water in the pipes can still freeze. Pex pipe freezing is a question frequently asked in the case of pex the start of the conversation is much like other materials.

Click here for a video tour of one of the freeze proof systems i installed. Pex is available in a variety of lengths from short 10 foot pieces for small repairs to rolls over 500 feet long which are used to install a home s entire water supply system. It is important to choose the right insulation material. One more tip and it s a big one.

While pex is freeze resistant yes pex can freeze there are ways to defend against this though including strategic building design placement of tubing and the type of insulation. Foam insulation tubing helps stop water pipes from freezing.