HOW TO INSULATE PIPES - Plumbing Tips

[@plumberparts]

*Links to the tools I use everyday here:* www.amazon.co.uk/shop/plumberparts Plus, follow my *Vlog “TimesWithJames”:* kzbin.info

[@Viewer765]

How does this compare to cheap grey one you buy in the shop

[@rowanlucas8183]

if you cut one piece of insulation diagonally, you can rotate the piece 180' and you've made a mitre joint with only one cut 😊

[@TheCodesterr]

Very helpful on how to get the correct 45 degree cut. Thanks!

[@freezefreecompany]

Some points of clarification if I may. 1 - Insulation. Polyethylene insulation (generally the grey stuff) cannot protect against freezing. Why? All insulation begins to shrink at 4 degrees C (by as much as 10%) so needs to be installed in a manner that compresses joints thereby allowing for shrinkage without exposing pipework. Polyethylene cannot be compressed enough for that to occur. Currently, as you say, only nitrile based products (e.g. Armaflex) can do this. Furthermore, unlike protecting against heat loss where any cover is good, every tiny exposure to air when protecting against freezing is bad. This is why EVERY joint MUST be glued because tape will eventually just fall off. Whilst glue is sold (but never used) for polyethylene insulation, the waxy surface nature of the material makes the glued joint its weakest point. When gluing nitrile based insulation the glued joint is actually stronger than the material itself with zero degradation in insulation performance. Lastly, everything must be covered even the gland boxes of taps and valves 2 - Why do pipes bursts. Think of a length of pipe. When it freezes a plug forms (we won’t go into why…) and even though water is apparently uncompressible, the pipework and naturally occurring air in the water take up that expansion as the plug is typically quite small. Soon another plug forms. That too is accommodated. Then the third plug forms. This is when it gets interesting. Unfortunately it's nothing to do with a pipe being weakened. What actually happens is that the formation of the third plug causes the hydraulic pressure in the pipe to rise (up to 250Bar!) because the remaining water cannot accommodate the expansion. At this point you get the explosive decompression so characterised by the flared splitting of the, typically, copper pipe. The leak only starts as it begins to thaw. Plastic pipe is more accommodating of freezing but the fittings are not because they blow off quite easily. By the way, 15mm pipe typically bursts at about 30ish bar (450psi) and 22mm 20 ish bar (300psi). 3 - Freeze protection. Insulation can NEVER protect against freezing. All insulation can ever do is slow down the loss of heat. If you wish to protect pipes from freezing then the heat loss must be balanced by heat input i.e. by the installation of electrical trace heating. Apologies for going on, but people need to know the real facts so they can make informed choices on how to protect their property and systems and your vid helps hugely. David @TapMedic

[@bariscanbirkalan5613]

Can I actually use water and temperature resistant aluminum foil tapes instead of metal sheet covers over heat tracing and insulation for the freeze protection of outdoor process water pipelines?

[@kuelhuna]

Great comments, would really appreciate a video or refer to link to on how to prevent pipes from freezing, I've moved to an old house in Denmark with lots of pipes exposed either outdoors or in unheated spaces almost guaranteed to be sub zero during winter.

[@freezefreecompany]

@@kuelhuna Brian the only way to spot pipes freezing is to continually replace the heat lost with more. This is what 'trace heating' is. An element running down the pipe so that its heat energy is transferred into the cold pipe. A vital aspect of that is fitting appropriate insulation. Insulation simply slows heat loss but inadvertently it can cause over heating if its too thick. All trace heating suppliers will give you advice on exactly what to use for their product. Just ask them but choose a well known make as cheap stuff breaks down very quickly in comparison and you'd only know when water was leaking and then you'd be faced with a big bill.

[@Viewer765]

If you have condensation on pipes in basement which is best to use this black stuff or the normally grey one. Also where’s best to buy black one in the uk.

[@JamesMcBride-t926x]

Very informative video, well done. Having just purchased a home and experiencing our first deep freeze made me stop and evaluate our home's pipes. You provided many great, yet simple ideas that I and most home owners will be able to do for them selves to save cost and future grief. Thank you for your time and sharing ideas.

[@coreyfreeman5736]

Good advice. May I suggest using a hacksaw blade for cutting it's much smaller and less cumbersome than a traditional hand saw.

[@leoone4191]

Hi thanks for the advice, what is the tape you are using? Tradename? Many thanks

[@TWOKDOK1]

Can't find Sellotape Insulation tape. Do you still use it ? If not what do you use now please.

[@kjellsands1215]

All joints and seams can be glued as well which creates the thermal seal. (ArmaFlex 520 Black Insulation Adhesive)

[@tp8404]

My hot.water copper pipe has burst for the 3rd time, my real estate agent still thinks it's the water pump when I told him it always happens in very cold morning. The pipes are not insulated at all and such a simple and inexpensive fix, thanks!

[@wobby1516]

I always cut and glue mitre joints and in the case of 90° bends I use the three part bend, it looks so much more professional than tape. The glue I use is the one supplied by armaflex.

[@lettersquash]

Great video, thanks. I'm wondering which to use - armaflex or climaflex - on a gas boiler overflow pipe coming down the outside wall. The original is black stuff, which now seems to have shrunk, and when I tried adjusting it I found the surface is all crumbling.

[@beatles141]

excellent work on the 45 degree cut

[@CurvedSlightly]

Wouldn't mind a cold water tank & F&E tank, loft installation video. I know they're fairly easy, but siteing mine's a pain in the ass! Thanks dude.

[@Hiker63]

For the miter I “carefully” use an electric miter saw. I start the blade then let off as I carefully lower the blade. A much safer way is to place a dowel in the center while cutting.

[@garylanza2030]

yes it's in a building I made. the pipes are insulated but the drain and lower part of the washer is exposed to the weather. also the water lines going to the machine.

[@Bubsy64]

hey many thanks been having problems with boiler and after 3 plumbers turns out its the condensate pipe feezing so now am going to insulate pipe myself and save a butt load of money!!!!

[@jrh11254]

clare horgan boat load

[@rustyrobb]

Those plastic fittings are a bit close to the boiler?

[@PIStakingProductions]

Hi James I'm gonna be starting a part time plumbing course in September and I was wondering if you could show some " what not to do examples " ie : bad fittings etc. really enjoying your videos and feel they'll really help me with my course.

[@TheOldkid888]

Hello; As a fellow plumber across the pond; I have a question on UK rough-ins. What is the rough in measurement for a toilet off of a finished wall. Have another friend from the Uk who is buying a toilet from this area and is curious if it will drop in place. From finished wall to centre in North America is 12". Thanks! Al

[@PlatinumDiscos]

Excellent instructional video

[@observethis812]

Sellotape is the brand name. Can you please provide the type of tape?

[@johndelahaye]

Your insulation seems to fit much more snugly over the push fit joints than mine has. Are you using a bigger bore to achieve this or is it because armaflex is more flexible?

[@AtomicQuotient]

Nice vid, thanks.

[@rockywr]

I've put some gorilla tape and unibond (wider) tape on the joints but on one or two I used some Amalgamating tape as it's waterproof as well. Will the gorilla & unibond still work okay ? I didn't have self sticky joins so my armaflex (15mm/9mm) had to be cut as well.

[@condensatepro8533]

we have learnt so much from when this videos were made, The insulation used was Class O and if fitted outside will need to be fitted to manufacture which means it needs coating twice with there paint to make it weather and UV resistant, this will need recoating every two years, another big problem with doing this is it cant be painted in the cold or if it's damn / raining or snowing 🙁☹🙁😣😖😫😩 there are other products available in 2021 that have solved all these problems 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@subhkhan]

Hi can you tell us what the products are called? Do you happen to know which tape to use?

[@rxchng]

Awesome tip on taping the miter joint!

[@plumberparts]

Cheers dude!

[@BMW-Tourer]

What's the tape called that your using? Can I buy it in wickes?

[@GigglingStar]

I cannot find the insulating tape anywhere. Would you please advise exactly what tape we should use and where we can buy it. Thank you.

[@27forme2]

hello good video on insulating can you a video on pipe bending semi passover jumping one pipe.

[@lemonade556]

I am trying to obtain pre-formed insulation elbows. They are available in the US but cannot find them in the UK. Any suggestions?

[@MrPaddy1000111]

What brand/type of tape do you use? Finding insulation tape that isn't PVC electrical tape is a PITA

[@noisypipes05]

Tape won't last, Armaflex will not last more than a few short years baking in the sun before it'll become brittle, crack and useless. There are better ways of applying the insulation (glue) and certian uv resistant paints. But what do I know? I'm just a heat and frost insluator professional.

[@rondoschiavoni8840]

HOW TO TEST PIPE HEAT CABLE TO KNOW IT ITS STILL WORKING UNDER MY MOBILE HOME .i HAVE A FOAM INSULATING PIPE COVER OVER THE HEAT CABLE. SHOULD i FEEL THE PLUG WITH THE FIRST FOOT OF CABLE GETTING WARM IF IT WERE 38 DEGREES OUTSIDE?

[@cachnhiethongtam]

Best piping insulation

[@hmktemp2842]

I have an Air Source Heat Pump (air to water) installed outside. To protect the heat pump from debris and sludge from my old radiator heating system, I needed to install an inline magnetic filter on the inlet side to the heat pump, and the most convenient and easy accessible location was outside close to the heat pump itself. I had the return and flow pipes inside and outside insulated, but so far have not found a suitable neat way of insulting the filter. The filter I am using is the Grant MagOne (similar size to Fernox TF1). Can you pleas help?

[@RS20O0]

I made a box out of kingspan for mine, fitted around the filter then stuffed full of rockwool and glued together with CT1.

[@hmktemp2842]

@@RS20O0 Thank you for sharing with me your idea of insulating the filter. I will have to do something similar, but I am amazed no one has come up with a commercially available isulating jacket or equivalent.

[@samye.farahat3584]

great video, simple and clear - Thank you for sharing!

[@plumberparts]

+Samy Farahat No worries Samy! Sub here please>> kzbin.info

[@adrianwainer]

Many thanks for the excellent video.

[@JoButterwick]

How do you stop mice from eating it?

[@jamief1979]

gd video again m8ty keep it up another boiler vid would be great m8 when u get chance

[@timgotto9546]

How cold can it get before you have to worry about the pipe freezing after you have insulated it?

[@a.j.gandenberger6044]

Below freezing unless the water is in a constant state of motion. At that point you should insulate to prevent condensation in warmer months.

[@janineehrentraut5607]

Great video, thanks!

[@hameedhassan2667]

how should you insulate under floor boards indoor pipes? what I found is that the insulation makes contact with the floor boards is it s problem to screw the floor boards down so that it is pursuing against the insulation?

[@plumberparts]

You'll have to lower the pipes then! Sorry for the delay in replying! Sub here please>> kzbin.info

[@mrsayef1059]

I got a job for a garden tap to be installed, customers kitchen and bathroom is at the front of the house but the garden is at the back. I recommended to run the pipe under the floor or through the house but customer does not want the house damaged (recently decorated ££££ lol) but they really want it run externally all around the house (ugly I know) they already have a plastic pipe run that keeps leaking all the time so they want me to run a copper pipe all the way through, is it possible with copper and is James insulation ok with the awkward job I have HELP!!! Really don't want to do the job and a few months later getting a call back I hate call backs and I normally don't looooool

[@plumberparts]

Run inside or avoid the job altogether mate! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 kzbin.info 👈⬅️if you haven't already!

[@greygoosemafia]

neat man! great work!

[@plumberparts]

Richard Cowtails Cheers!

[@garylanza2030]

I have a washing machine out side how can I insulate it to keep it from freezing. and the drain pipe.?

[@plumberparts]

+Gary Lanza Pretty difficult! Is the whole machine outside?

[@erinembleton6351]

keep a small, lit bonfire permanently next to it :@))

[@joshuamiller3865]

You never use a saw to cut armaflex insulation instead use a nice sharp filet nice which will cut the insulation very nice and also outside I would throw a PVC jacketing over it or armaflex 99 paint

[@w-2385]

Don't you just love the British? I do. We know this guy is at the top of his game because he's using inches not centimeters. Good job on the insulation work. Do you charge extra for trips to the United States?

[@a.j.gandenberger6044]

This guy should never insulate anything, ever.

[@okaythen001]

when temp drop to how low I should start insulate outside pvc pipes? tahnks

[@plumberparts]

Insulate anyway if you're worried! PP!

[@johnd942]

You didn't mention choosing SIZE...exact fit versus loose fit, etc....

[@georgerivers5839]

I have 3/4 inch water pipes in attic. Of course so does everyone else. They were sold out, so I bought 1 inch. Will it matter? I doubt it but what do I know. Appreciate any input.

[@condensatepro8533]

the lagging in the video Class o also will deteriorate and turn it to a sponge that holds water if any moisture get inside between the pipe and insulation,, manufactures adhesive has the same problem and there paint and can not be used in cold or rain / snow,, please do not use tie raps as sealing is so important

[@ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

Excellent instructional video! 👍👍🔥

[@amynorris8023]

Great video. Thanks,

[@jobapache]

thanks for this video~!

[@ChumpyChicken2]

Use a long Stanley blade to cut and not a saw! Cleaner cut!!

[@plumberparts]

Good call! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 kzbin.info 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎

[@andusgarza497]

haha.

[@ImJosephStalin]

Very sharp fillet knife works well

[@ImJosephStalin]

ChumpyChicken2 Dexter is fantastic

[@cjspurlock8573]

I'm a union pipe insulator and his miters were horrid!!! All you have to do is measure from where you need to insulation to the center of you 90° or 45° then scratch a cross on it and then cut across it

[@mankybub]

carpenters mitre box is how i did mine.

[@Ali-ps8rm]

Plastic 22mm primary pipework to a heat pump!!!! 😱

[@liljasere]

outside oil boiler

[@zamanali2137]

I have a a problem every time I run my bathroom tap or shower The pipe outside starts to male clicking noise quite loud for a while den it stops. It happens every time u use shower or taps

[@blendi3825]

How much do you charge for a job like this?

[@andusgarza497]

Blendi Tagani $60-$100

[@47represent]

at first I thought how to insulate pipes are you having a laught but then told me climaflex? sucks balls and armorflex is the boss and I thought ah, thank you plumberparts

[@ivanzidar6067]

U really connected armaflex with plastic tape?? Oh my god...

[@ogdoad4]

WTF is that thing the pipes are connected to?

[@CurvedSlightly]

Who's watching in 2020?! HOLLA!

[@1537ank]

Just to be on the safe side I know that working with gloves is not the best thing ever ... But it is the safest specially since your using a sharp blade...! Just a tough berry good video

[@91kitson90]

You did your equal T the hard way .. no worries tho

[@jamief1979]

@jamief1979 anything on fault finding really thx m8ty

[@madmandeano5460]

I'm a lagger and this is all wrong

[@geeg2k]

I take toilet paper as insulation and wrap it around the pipes

[@geeg2k]

No I don’t.

[@fredrikwahlner7019]

Damn, i really hope nobody does like him. It's so fucking wrong. armaflex must be glued together first of all and it's not for outside use if you don't cover it with plastic. PLEASE DO NOT DO IT LIKE THIS

[@SuperMani159]

😂😂😂😂 omg.

[@michaelsynovetz6093]

Those joints are sexy!

[@jacklane1279]

Please tell me this is a joke

[@marijoteskera8990]

You is very danger man,ameteur complete job

[@geeg2k]

I take toilet paper for insulation

[@CyclingLifePT]

Before or after you wipe your ass? I think it works best after.

[@jd12do]

Get to the point

[@garylanza2030]

yes it's in a building I made. the pipes are insulated but the drain and lower part of the washer is exposed to the weather. also the water lines going to the machine.