What do I insulate the pipes with?

Lori_4

Ok, so is this "fiberglass insulation w/ paper backing" that David mentions like the 3 1/2" wall insulation? Or, is it the thinner, small rolls of pipe wrap that I've seen - sometimes with silver colored backing?

Maybe a name brand, or a website to find this would help.

Thanks AGAIN! Lori

Lori_4

What do I insulate the pipes with?

I've just had a new Weil McLain boiler installed on my existing steam system. I also just purchased the "We got Steam Heat!" book. I'm reading, but not fast enough. This new boiler is running at the right pressure, and is therefore making all the old problems LOUDER! I'm going to lose my marbles. I think my two big issues are venting (I need to add a main vent in the basement) and lack of insulation. There had been the old asbestos wrap, but most of that is gone. I'm not sure what to insulate with, that will hold up to the heat... Also, do I continue the insulation up the pipes to the second floor? I'm guessing yes.

Thanks for any help!

David Sutton_6

hello Lori

you will need to use fiberglass pipe insulation with the paper cover,DO NOT use the foam type! it will melt. insulate all the pipe you can see, do the fittings if you can also, just make sure the system if off and cool when you do this , you could get hurt if the pipes are hot, you maybe able to hire a contractor to do this job if you need to...David

Lori_4

Thanks!

Thanks, David!

David Sutton_6

Good morning

http.//www.thomas-insulation.com/html/products.html


Try this site and you can see what i am talking about..David

Lori_4

Holy cow

Wow. I didn't think I'd be looking at something that expensive! Is there any cheaper alternatives? Can I use the paper-backed wall insulation?

Brad White_31

Insulation prices

The prices do not seem out of line IMHO. You can "cheat" a little and use 1 inch thickness although 2 inch thickness is preferable and conforms to model energy codes. Just remember as a rule of thumb, the first inch will reduce your bare pipe losses to about 16 percent of bare pipe. The next half inch shaves off another 4 percent from that of bare pipe. The first inch does alot of the work for the dollar value.

Emmett McGuire

I am also interested in insulating my steam pipes (similar story - old asbestos insulation had been removed before purchasing the house). I have a one pipe system (only one pipe is connected to the radiators). All radiators are connected to one of the two 2 1/2 iron mains in the basement. The mains are of equal size and run from the boiler, to the basement ceiling and then along either side of the basement. At the end of each main is a vent on an 2 1/2" to 2" elbow which drops about 9" to a second 2" elbow. From this point a run of 2" pipe returns to the boiler following directly beneathe the 2 1/2" pipe, sloping slightly downhill all the back to the boiler. The 2" pipe appears to be a return.

My questions:

Should I insulate both the 2 1/2" pipe and 2" pipe or just the 2 1/2"?

Should I insulate right from the boiler or only after the main starts its run along the basement ceiling?

Thanks, Emmett

Brad White_31

Insulate all that you can, Emmett

including the returns. (They can degrade due to carbonic acid corrosion). In your system as described it seems to be the return. Model energy codes specify 2-inch insulation on steam piping over 1.5 inches (and over 200 degrees F). One may argue that condensate will be near or below that (on the edge you can see) hence you can use 1 inch thick insulation on the returns. Insulate as much as you can. Straight pipe first and fittings if you have the time and patience. Take your time and you can do a good job.

Insulating piping is easy to do, but difficult to do *well*.

You may also want to post your question as a new thread. This one will only get attention due the originial query for the most part.

Good luck-
Brad