Residential Steam Pipe Insulation

Mark K

I just finished doing this myself last weekend. I found the insulation at Lowe's, actually. It's a molded fiberglass insulation which is cut down one side, and will open and clamp over the pipe. It has a foil-lined paper vapor barrier over it, with a strip of adhesive. You just clamp it over the pipe, tear off the wax strip from the adhesive, and seal it over to hold the insulation in place.

You need to measure your pipes before you go, as you have to get the right diameter tube for your pipes.

Lowes didn't have the special tubes for fittings and joints, so I just bought some fiberglass pipe wrap and used that in the corners and around the joints.

R. Morgan

Residential Steam Pipe Insulation

I just recently bought a home that has steam heating. The pipes in the basement are exposed. I would like to insulate the pipes, but I am unsure of what type of pipe insulation would be best. I am new to steam heating and am trying to learn as much as possible.

Lurker_2

Residential Steam Pipe Insulation

You should cut the fiberglass tube pipe insulation with a miter saw to cut the corners at 45 degrees. That preserves the insulation envelope better than separately wrapping the corrners. I don't know how hot steam pipes get, but you can also try high temperature elastomeric pipe insulation. I've seen some brands that claim to be rated to 300 degrees.

Mark K

Pipe Corners

Hi,

I'm talking about more than just corners, though. In addition, I have the joints where the pipes run off the large main to the individual radiators. Unfortunately, these are at all different angles.

Also, there are many places where there are large connectors/fittings on the main, and the 2" molded fiberglass won't fit over them. Rather than try to buy many different pre-formed pieces and have a jumble, it was just easier to use pipe wrap in those areas.

Matt Undy

You might find thicker insulation at a heating wholesaler which might be prefered.

Matt

Lurker_2

Pipe Insulation

Here's a link to the Armaflex installation guide which shows how to properly cut insulation for all kinds of pipe connections, including T's, headers, 90's and 45's. It's tedious (and indeed most boiler utility room piping isn't insulated at all which is really a waste, especially in systems that use a primary/secondary loop) but the insulation cutting techniques shown in the pdf file really maintain the insulation envelope better than separately wrapping pipe joints.

http://www.armaflex.com/www/armacell/ACwwwAttach.nsf/ansFiles/000-005-NA(NA)Tube.pdf/$File/000-005-NA(NA)Tube.pdf