Steam main insulation

Jeff_4

What can I use to insulate my steam mains in my basement? Iremove the old stuff...NOT asbestos...just currogated cardboard wrapped with duct tape and others just some fiberglass with wrap on them. Should I buy the proverbial home depot yellow fiberglass with white shell? Will that work and help keep my steam moving? Thanks

canuckDale

Watch out

That wasn't white cardboard was it? Old asbestos insulation did come that way.

Steamhead

Fiberglass is best

but you won't find the 2-inch and larger diameter stuff typically needed on a steam system at Home Depot. A plumbing/heating supply house in your area should be able to get it. You want the pre-formed fiberglass with 1-inch wall thickness. It will make a huge difference in the way your steam system operates.

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[Deleted User]

Steamhead, are those diapers, and pvc covers

acceptable on steam pipes for the elbows??

Steamhead

I wouldn't use them on steam

since they can melt. I've heard of preformed fiberglass fittings for elbows and tees but have yet to find out where to get then.

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hvacfreak

Look for an insulation supply house. In Washington DC it is called ACR Insulation. Use 1 inch wall fiberglass and the pvc jacket formed fittings with the formed soft bat fiberglass. A good supply house has all of this stuff.

Unknown

Zeston and Proto

are two names I have used.

http://www.jm.com/insulation/products/zeston/Zeston2000PVC_CI55.pdf

Noel

NY Steam Landlord

Steam Rise Pipe Insulation

OK, so it wasn't right but it worked. Used a sponge and hose and wet down all old insulation on steam riser and mains. Removed insulation - 50 year old building. 3" main.

Now I am installing fiberglass - looks like a white cylinder with self stick tape. What do I do about the tee's and elbows? Can't I do it the old fashioned way with the cloth wrapping? What is that stuff, anyway? Where do I get it in and around NYC. When installing, shouldn't I wrap the tee's and elbows first, then install the white cylindrical tubes with the self stick tape?

gerry gill

put the fiberglass on the pipe first..

then cover the fittings with high temperature insulating cement, (the modern equivelant of the old asbestos cement) then coat the whole kit and kaboodle with childers insulation mastic, then inbed cheesecloth in the mastic, (wrap the pipe and fittings with cheesecloth), then a final coat of mastic..thats what i do..will come out looking like this....
http://forums.invision.net/Attachment.cfm?Untitled-g.jpg&CFApp=2&Attachment_ID=18822

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