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Batt insulation on main

Jay85
Jay85 Member Posts: 34
I bought a 3 family with no insulation on a 55' 2" main in the basement. Do I have to buy pipe insulation? The previous owner left unused batt insulation and I considered cutting it to size and wrapping the main.

Comments

  • Hap_Hazzard
    Hap_Hazzard Member Posts: 2,846
    I tried that, but I wasn't happy with the results. It's hard to wrap the batting around the pipes without compressing it, and that decreases the "R" value. Also, it takes a lot of wrestling to wrap it around the pipe and tape it, and it made me itch for days. I wore gloves, but it still got up my sleeves and down my collar. I feel itchy just thinking about it.

    If you've been pricing the pipe insulation Lowes or Home Depot, try https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com. You might be pleasantly surprised.
    Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
    1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-24
    pecmsg
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,279
    You could insulate 55' in a couple of hours, as long as you could stand up for it.