Closed cell foam pipe insulation Q

Alan

On the larger diameter piping around the boiler, are the black foam tube insulation pre-slit or are they slit at the job site and rubber cemented back together ?
I am able to find up to 1-1/8" with the adhesive strip at Home Dump but none larger.
I need at least around 1-1/2".

Do installers typcially buy large spools of unslit and use as needed ?

Thanks,

Alan

Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes

If you are

talking about polyolefin (the foam insulation that I see at my plumbing wholesalers), we buy it scored. Maybe it's more than just scored, but if you stick your finger in it, it's easy to separate and then after you get it over the pipe, it will relax and cover. If need be, we use plastic zip ties to secure it.

You will probably have to go to a plumbing and heating wholesaler to get the good stuff; it comes in six foot lengths.

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Mark A. Custis

Armaflex.com

I know they guys make closed cell everthing. I've used sheets of 3/8" nominal and spray contact cement to wrap chiller parts. You may have to google or mother for their web address. Good stuff. Holds up in UV quite awhile. Please check the high side temps.

Good luck,

Mark

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Alan

The black closed-cell foam stuff I am referring to is made by Rubatex.
Their insul-tube is rated for up to 220-F.
I'll have to check out Armaflex.

Thanks.

hot_rod

Although rated for

220 the foam stuff seems to get crumbly at 180 plus temperatures. My insulation supplier tells me UV breaks it down quickly, also. This includes UV from fluorescent lights.

Go with fiberglass 1" for high temperature boiler room work. with the premolded fittings you can do a nice professional looking job.

hot rod

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Steve Ebels

We always

Buy it pre-slit, in 6 ft lengths and with the peel off strip over the adhesive. Makes for fast installations. Just finished a job today that we used over 800 ft of it from 1 1/2" thru 2 1/2". We also zip tie it to make sure it will stay up until it rots.

Alan

Thanks - I'll ask about the fiberglass stuff and the remolded fittings.

Dan Law

UV Breakdown

We normally buy the un-slit and cement it. Seem the cemented joint holds together better than the peel and stick stuff. (evidenced by the need for tie wraps)Also the no slit seems more flexable. Been using it on refrig and A/C for decades. Both Armaflex and Insultube sell a "paint" we use for outdoor runs, primailly for the UV protection. Works well.

Aidan (UK)

Armaflex

Armaflex & Insultube are scored, as someone's already said. If you can slide it on over the pipe end, as you install the pipe, it saves splitting and joining it.

Get hold of a copy of the Armaflex installation instructions, I think it's on the web somewhere.

It's more costly than mineral fibre or glass fibre, so these are what is usually specified. The closed cell structure of Armaflex is valuable on chilled water pipes, it prevents saturation from condensation, but you need to make the joints with adhesive, cable ties or tape won't give you a continuous vapour barrier.