Is WRAP-ON brand pipe insulation a good product?

morgandallen

hHas anyone used Wrap-on brand pipe insulation for their mains, returns and risers? I'm curious as the price seems good and the installation looks easy. Thanks!

https://wrap-on.com/products/pi.html

icesailor

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Insulation requires mass.

Notice that the first thing they sell is electric heat wire/tape to protect pipes against freezing. You put on the heat tape (which might burn your building down, and wrap the pipe and tape with that stuff.

Many of have found that it is as useless as mammary's on a fowl.

morgandallen

Thanks. What do you recommend for insulation at a reasonable price?

icesailor

The best of quality insulation isn't discounted much.

Fred

Check this place out for good pricing on pipe insulation. 1" thickness is what most of us use.
http://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/Fiberglass-Pipe-Insulation-SSL-ASJ/

vaporvac

I looked who sold insulation locally for large installs and found they had the best pricing even before considering shipping. I've read that larger piping requires thicker insulation and some folks on here with IR camers seem to support that, especially in unheated spaces. This is something you'll once.

KC_Jones

I actually had something like that on my original boiler (didn't know any better). I can tell you it is a pain to install with all the wrapping to get the proper thickness. Took me days and days to wrap all my pipes. There are pics of it in this post....forgot how ugly that was.
http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/149803/pictures-of-existing-system-that-needs-replacement#latest

icesailor

What makes insulation work is the trapped air in the insulation, and the resistance to energy flow through the mass. When you use that flat omeowners insulation, more designed for wrapping around electric heat tape to prevent freezing and promote the burning of houses. you generally squish out all of the insulating air from the product. The real insulation would probably be a far better deal as far as insulation goes. They have preformed fittings. You can also probably buy a bag if dry insulating cement used for corners and mix your own. Its not as difficult as that thin stuff on a roll.

morgandallen

Thanks everyone! Really helpful. I'm a newbie - just bought my first house in NJ, an 1890 Colonial with steam heat so I'm studying up. Not one damn pipe is insulated!

Harvey Ramer

Might be worthwhile going through and check all the pipes before insulating. Make sure everything is sloped correctly (no sags) and no leaks. Easy to spot now. Not so easy after the pipes are insulated.