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Pipe insulation idea, need advice please.

I'm replumbing my boiler system in a combination of copper and pex. I'm wanting to insulate the plumbing once done. I'm thinking about building a box around my runs of pipe and pex then have a spray foamer spray in around the plumbing. I have a solid run of pex about 50 feet long in my crawl space and a run of copper about 20 feet long in the garage that I want to build a 6 X 6 channel around after mounting the piping. Then foam in that channel.
I haven't gotten a quote for the foam yet but I'm thinking this would be cheaper then going with the fiber glass stuff and better then going with the cheap foam wrap stuff. I know there is good foam wrap (armaflex, k flex, ect.) But that stuff is expensive too.
Would this be ok to do for insulating this project?
I haven't gotten a quote for the foam yet but I'm thinking this would be cheaper then going with the fiber glass stuff and better then going with the cheap foam wrap stuff. I know there is good foam wrap (armaflex, k flex, ect.) But that stuff is expensive too.
Would this be ok to do for insulating this project?
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Comments
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Armaflex-1-1-8-in-x-1-in-Rubber-Pipe-Insulation-72-Lineal-Feet-Carton-APT11810/203357517?MERCH=REC-_-irg_aic-1-_-203357519-_-203357517-_-N
This is the cheapest I could find the armaflex insulation, which I would probably go with since I have used it before, but I'm thinking the spray foam would be about as much maybe alittle more but would offer a greater R value.
Should I just not go with the spray foamer or should I at least get a quote and go from there?
A appreciate the help.
The preinsulated pipe systems use extruded PE or PEX foam, which is effectively immune to moisture ingress.
If you foam in the piping, if it ever needs to be accessed for any reason, you are going to hate yourself. I do hydronics for a living and Murphy is alive and well.
Another thing to consider is that even if the temperatures that you "expect" to be present in these lines is low enough to cause no damage or deterioration of any foam product...... Murphy is alive and well.
Build the boxing, line it with foil faced polyisocyanurate insulation and then fill the remainder with fiberglass insulation.
Just an opinion.
New England SteamWorks
Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
newenglandsteamworks.com
Code requires fire protection for most board insulation, depending on what type of building space it's in - generally 1/2 sheetrock will do. In a crawl space, protection from vermin and insects needs to be considered. But that would also apply to almost any pipe insulation.
The house this year is on the back burner until next year so I have plenty of time to figure that all out. Now I was looking into the actual pipe insulation though. The split type you just slide over the pipe and glue the seam or use the self adhesive on the wrap.
The crawl space is vented but I close them in the winter. And any heat lose would hit the living space floor just above.
Right title, good subject. Stays relevant.
> split insulation... glue...
If you go there, figure on using a glue dispenser. A squeeze pump oil can will do the job. Hack saw blades cut the stiff stuff well; not sure about the spongy noodle stuff. An nold hand mitre box makes your corners work better. Some little blocks to keep split sections apart (open) during preliminaries. Take some copper nipples (6") cut nice and square w/a cutter and sharpen all around the pipe on one end. Use to punch out nice holes for pipe branches. 1-1/2" and 2" DWV nipples will give you nice fish-mouths where the branch joins the run. Save the plugs for... plugs when needed.
Rufus
These days is the far less costly polyethylene tubes ok for any pipes that are not immediately near the boiler?
Seems to me they can deteriorate but ok in dark locations behind the convector panels.
http://www.nomaco.com/product/therma-cel/
After being stubborn about using Armaflex or similar rubber tubes I am now considering polyethylene foam tubes at least for some of the pipe sections such as the non-finned runs in the rooms and long ceiling runs in the basement.
(Paul - Thank you for the "I use Imcoa Lok thermacel insulation and the 3/4" wall thickness in exterior walls or crawlspaces.")
Durability and insulation wise are they that much less than rubber?
I don't think I can find any Imcoa branded tubes and not sure if polyethylene tubes in general are similar.