How to PREVENT Pipes Freezing in your House or RV - HEAT TAPE
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- Опубликовано: 26 ноя 2021
- Don't risk having a pipe freeze & ruin your house, camper or mobile home. A lot has changed with preventing pipes freezing SAFELY! See how to install & use Heat Tape to protect pipes from cold winer temps & FREEZING!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal. 
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I live in australia, so althought his video is irrelevant i still found it interesting.
Google informs me this information could possibly be useful to you if you move to Liawenee
@@someperson7 I searched coldest place in Australia and it told me Liaweene . Thanks for your help, as I did not know liaweene was the coldest place in Australia. Too bad I live in brisbane where we are in summer at the moment as it 29 cellcius during the day.
Hawking things is always interesting. (Haha) Hello from the USA sir.
@@Lucas_andos 😆 I think you could drive it a few days. It's just pretty rainy on that last leg😁
Yup
I enjoy watching someone taking the time to explain these things correctly. You may have saved some house fires. Keep up the great work
OK so things I learned about heat tape from this video are to put the thermostat right against the pipe and to use extra electrical tape if there's a space between the tape and the pipe and also I learned about the light in the end of the plug to let me know that there is a connection that is working and I also learned to not wrap the tape around itself as I have seen other people doing and I also learned that the wraparound insulation is the best to put over the pipe and the heat tape, therefore this was an excellent video; very educational. with much appreciation thank you very much for posting this information.
5:37 "your life is pretty much over for a while till you can get it fixed" VERY TRUE!!!
I don't own a house and probably never will, but I still watch your videos to stow the knowledge just in case it's ever needed!
Phone
I remember growing up a poor kid in an old house. Every year, our main water pipe would freeze and burst. It would take days or weeks for my family to get it fixed. Man if i knew then what i know now, all the good things we would have had. Hope everyone watching this appreciates it as well.
You were so poor when you walked down the road with one shoe. If you were ask if lost a shoe, you'd say "No, I found this one."
@@explorenaked LOL! Maybe not that bad :)
@@explorenaked lol....hahahahh
@@joelcrow if that poor, your family probably could not afford to use heat tape, they are power hungry
This videos brings back all kinds of memories or living in an old house on a farm. This stuff would have saved so much work.
I recommend using a different tape, electrical tape’s glue is not water resistant and when/if the pipe sweats the tape loosens/weakens
Zip ties?
He said not to use nylon ties
Velcro straps?
@@omgsus prob yea
I mean if there’s is insulation I highly doubt there would be any condensation
I lived in my grandparents' 1892 boarding house in Colorado while attending CU. After excavating a garage full of sopping wet debris in January, we used a cut-to-length blue heat tape on that pipe and spiral wrapped it. It worked flawlessly as a 'modern marvel' for years.
Now I'm in Texas trying to get pipes prepared in a typically Texan home for another winter with 10°f temps for several days. No problemo! I'll install some heat tape and Bob's your uncle! Little did i know, most here have never heard of heat tape,...ack... but i finally found some at good ole hd. The instructions, as you correctly point out, are completely different from what i was familiar with, and there is no retail expertise here for said dilemma, ...so i went to you tube just to see.
The guy at hd said, there's no problem using the foam.. so i got the fiberglass wrap and waterproof tape.
(I'm covering exposed pex on my deck running to the "outdoor kitchen" that is yet to materialize. Contractor got the big "C" 😢).
I did purchase zip ties designed for heat, but i also got some good electrical tape.
So,.. thank you for taking the time to make this video, i can proceed with confidence. 😊
On a scale of 1 to 10, You’re the man! 😉
I like this product. It’s seems very user friendly and your tutorial shows the step clearly and a rather easy to install. Thank you for the video.
I know it's common sense but the reason he had gloves on when installing the insulation is fiberglass is itchy!! Wear gloves when messing with it ( maybe even long sleeves if it's a big project). If you do get it on you rinse it off with cold water.
Apply some talcum powder in your hands, arms, neck and thighs before working with it. Use long sleeves and gloves, tho
@@dexter2811 I have never heard of that but I will have to try it! I'm a plumber so I've spent days covered in insulation, it doesn't bother me terribly but I sure don't rub it in.
@@jason5174: How would one let hot water drip from a shower or bathroom when it only has one handle and would need to turn on the shower hard to get hot water?
My house is 120 years old. I had this pipe that ran through where the house meets the foundation, at a corner, and ended up at my bath tub. For years, any time the temperature dipped below -25C the pipe would freeze and I would be in there with a hair dryer thawing it. Depending on the year it may not happen at all, once or perhaps more times a year. It was a small difficult area to get to and I am not all that handy so I just dealt with the problem as it arose. Well this year, it was predicted we were going to get a lot of sub -25 days, so I decided to do something about it. I grabbed 2 cans of that spray foam stuff that expands, like $10 a can, and filled in a 8-12" section of the pipe with 6" of foam surrounding the pipe. Not a problem since and we have had plenty of sub -25C days. If I need to get access to the pipe in the future I can remove the foam easily with an exactor knife.
My pipes froze while I was at work today and I've been trying to figure out how to unfreeze it so this video is a god send. Mine comes in a two days pray for me 😂
Cheers from Daytona Beach, Fl
Damn you and your nice weather!
Hands down the best channel for home owners
Best explanation yet by far, very well presented, and very clear instructions thanks very much for posting!!
Was just about to do this for my Wellhous, and planned on wrapping in a spiral, securing with zip ties, and using the split foam. Why? Because that is how the old one was done. You saved me a lot of mistakes and possible fire!
Use some 3M wide vinyl tape that’s 3 inch wide to wrap the insulation if you want it to be UV an weather resistant. Commonly installed this way on surface oil facilities.
Great info...thanks!
Another great video to help me prepare for an Ohio winter. Thank you!
Great video. My previous homeowners have heat tape spiraled around one pipe that runs along a wall. Never paid attention to it, and I don't think it ever turns on as he basement rarely gets that cold.
But..
Just disconnected that thing and will install it the right way. Thanks!
Very thorough instructions. Thank you very much.
Tie rapping the thermostat on top of the copper pipe will assure that it will keep a solid contact with the copper. Under the pipe is running the risk that a gap appears with time preventing the thermostat to sense the temperature properly.
heat rises, thus place on the bottom of pipe
But if it is just a thermostat it is just sensing the temperature of the pipe then turns on for the rest of the wire to get hot. Thermostat on top of the wire along the bottom?
How do you safely heat the home when there's no propane or electricity and your renting? The last snow storm, I had oil lamps but my throat hurt from fumes
Try 90% ISP alcohol candles. They're called different things, but the idea is you build a little brick oven, and put the alcohol in a tin inside. Light it, and the heat and small controlled flame will turn the bricks nice and hot long after the alcohol burns out. A few RUclips videos show the method.
Here is one good example. ruclips.net/video/8chmIl0Gl5Q/видео.html
Mr Big Buddy portable heater with 1 lb propane containers will last a long time. Stock up on the 1 lb containers.
Open flames cause CO gas. Why would anyone recommend someone heat a home with an open flame?!
Purchase a catalytic propane heater safe for indoor use
Very educational. Thank you. I've only used the pool noodle split foam style. I'm in Zone 6. I did not know this existed.
Cool👍 I might do a vid on this
This is Great So. TX. San Antonio Texas the weather gets around below 30 during winter , great Ideas thank you.luis salazar......
Good timing ! I think my pipes are freezing up right now.
Glad you like it, I hope they aren't frozen. Busted pipes are the worst.
After watching this video my pipes are hot.
Run the tap. Running water freezes slower
👆🏻Be sure to run cold and hot water. They can both freeze!
@@thecatgamer3177 I managed to get the crawl space all sealed up 👍
I have a basement pipe that freezes due to high winds…. Typically won’t freeze on cold days…. Only when windy
My problem is I can’t get to the area that freezes without cutting Sheetrock, it’s positioned between basement and first floor. I think they call it the ceil plate.
Can I use this to keep the pipe and water in the pipe warm enough not to freeze from a different section 25 feet or more away?
With a quick back off the envelope calc it should only take .16w to get degree of celcius across 8m so it seams possible but I would check that on another section off pipe with a heat gun and see how even the heat would spread
Still don't need it as living on a tropical island the one thing that we don't have is frozen pipes as no snow
You guys must laugh at all this stuff we need!
@@SilverCymbal until hurricane season that is!
@@SilverCymbal No laughing from me. More wondering why anyone would want to live in such cold weather.🤷🏿♂️
Thanks u saved me a lot of money.
I have a Cooper pipe outside in my yard !! Can I use this same method? Every year my pipe burst due to trapped water in my pipes!
There are outdoor version but this one won't work for that, but use a similar method. Frost King has some more on their site, there are probably others also.
I'd recommend emptying the pipe with compressed air prior to freezing temperatures, that's what we do in our yard.
Great info for the upcoming winter hell
Do you have advice on 90 degree bends?
hi...i live in ohio usa
i have water pipe under trailer home freezes
i know heat tape is an option however ive got lots of strings of old school incandescent christmas lights...
as a test...i was windering if wrapping the pipe with the christmas lights would actually keep pipe from freezing...and its easy to inspect...if lights are on its warming the pipe
what u think?...is this a stupid idea or could it actually work?...could it be a possible fire hazard?
I just moved to SW Florida to fix the problem.
I use this on the end of my basement sump discharge. They make one for outdoor use. I only plug it in when needed or if I'm away for a while.
Dear CB: A sump is invaluable (good to have) just in case the pipes burst.
Awesome presentation!!!! thank you
Thank god I have pvc pipe and a well insulated crawlspace!! Great video!!
*CAUTION:* I've seen similar products for heating pipe, but are *NOT FOR USE* on hoses.
So if your making a heated water hose for your RV, do your research. Also, camco hoses are, know for breaking, leaking and blowing up.
Very interesting
from second-hand information I want to reinforce all comments about the importance of gloves when handling fiberglass insulation it's nasty stuff
Food for thought. Thanks
In Mass. USA, my pipes are at my full basement ceiling. Do I need pipe wrap if the basement is heated maintaining 60 degrees? If electric is out, how long can pipes withstand freezing temperatures before issues arise? Also, what temperature should be maintained while on a two week vacation?
Get your basment as air tight as possible. Go around the entire rimjoist of your home and seal up all holes. Get windows and bulkhead door airtight. If you basment and home are warm your not likely to have a freeze during a power outtage. You can insulate the pipes that are close to the edge of the home.
@@ericwotton2046 Thank you! 👍
Shine a 60 watt heat light down the pipe
Sounds great except for the fire hazard. Read the directions!😜
To be fair most of these use less power than a light bulb and I think most appliances have that same verbiage, BUT the old ones were constantly being installed wrong, that was a big reason I wanted to share this, this style is much less likely to be done incorrectly buyt of course always follow the directions.
This kit ought to be redesigned to make it modular, so that the part(s) likely to fail -- in particular the part with the thermostat -- can be quickly and cheaply replaced.
Also, what's the most reliable tech for such a thermostat? An infrared sensor controlling a power transistor would have no moving parts, and might not need to be in tight contact with the pipe to sense the infrared.
Awesome. Thank you.
Amazing video
I've done this on a house I owned long ago. It had a crawl space and it got cold. I didn't bother with the insulation, the cable at the bottom was able to keep the freeze off.
I don’t have a gfi outlet in my crawl space, would a regular out be ok ?
Would this work with base board pipes or would the heat going thru them be an issue long term?
Great Video
Using that heat tape, will that make the circulation water warmer in most of the run of that
pipe ?
I guess a heated basement helps a lot, or does it. I hope so.
As long as the pipes don't approach freezing due to an extended loss of electricity, you should be great...
Very true!
What if you are working with plastic pipes?
Kapton tape would probably be a better choice, it's still an insulator but it's heat resistant and won't get all gummy.
Is that the silicon tape? I use that a lot. Hate electrical tape.
@@melissamilligan It's the transparend orange tape used on lipo batteries, 3d printers and electronics, it doesnt melt which makes it perfekt for this kind of applications
@@FzudemB oh ok now I know what that is.
LIFE OVER! Pretty much. OVER.
Or install hot water recirculation system
Dear Silver: It would be useful to have a generator. Some emergency situations, like the sump pump in a storm, will secure flatulence upon one's soul when the electricity fails.
Got 60 watts you probably don't need a heavy duty extension cord
I need to prevent a propane tank diaphragm from freezing - any ideas?
I could be wrong on this, but IIRC you use a bigger tank. You use too fast, you go into refrigerator mode. The way to to prevent that is having a bigger liquid surface.
An additional consideration is making sure all moisture is kept away from the regulator. But if things get to cold it'll freeze the moisture in the Air.
What size tank are you using and what all do you have connected to it? Have you tried replacing the regulator?
@@someperson7 thank you for your reply - I have three 100 gal tanks in a series with one regulator before the house - for heating, cooking, and gas dryer
@@BH-BH yup that definitely sounds like you are exceeding the vaporization rate. Not positive but if it was me that would be where I would start. If you Google Rego Service Manual you'll find directions on how to figure out the liquid surface size you need.
HOWEVER. It's gas. Call your local propane company and ask if they can have one of their techs look at the install. The tech will know the tank size you need anyway. I wouldn't make any major modifications to a gas system with at LEAST consulting with a pro. That's how you end up on the news.
Off the cuff, I'd tell you to go to a 500 gallon tank. Especially if you have the furnace that is propane primary and not backup for heat pump. But you can cross check the BTU chart yourself.
But here are some things you might be tempted to try and SHOULDN'T.
Heat. DO NOT DO THIS. Your regulator has an overpressure vent that vents propane. You don't want a source of ignition anywhere near the regulator. The tanks and various connectors can also have hard to detect slow leaks. Fire bad.
Insulation, may help but it's probably freezing from the propane itself. So insulation won't help much with freezing from the inside. And you risk blocking said vent.
Sealing/Enclosing regulator: Again the regulator off gases, a little in open air is one thing, you collect it in a small space that's another. Not to mention any other slow leaks that may or may not be present in the system.
You really DON'T want to go DIY on propane. Get a tech.
@@BH-BH one thing that might help is try not to use all your propane appliances at once. But if the regulator is bad or too small none of that will help.
A question I should have asked earlier is whether this has always been a problem on this setup, it did it start suddenly, or did it star t after adding an appliance?
@@someperson7 yep - I’m gonna call my supplier - no new appliances - I bet you’re right about the size of the diaphragm - thank you again
best way to insulate pipe in RV, is go where it is warm, RV's are not made for freezing temperature
hose clamps stay forever electric tape maybe 2 years
Use Frostex heat cable and don't worry about all the caveats of this design. I will never use this type again.
It a big 6"
Maybe a little too much eggnog on a couple of mine, but check with a ruler to be sure.
doubt ill ever use this information but...wait why did i watch this anyway
I use aluminum foil.
No electricity you're still screwed
You are better off installing a shut-off valve
Often these are used on water mains on active lines so you can't do that.
Thanks for watching please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE - Heat Tape: amzn.to/3xurgfg Electric Tape: amzn.to/3FSmlYD Insulation: amzn.to/3E2ccbc
As someone from The Buffalo/Western,NY area,this is BS.Fix the damn spot the cold air is coming from.Heat tape is a temporary fix.Usually if there is cold air getting into your water lines,then you need to do a better fix than slapping heat tape on it.Most heat tape is cheap quality garbage that you might get 1 winter out of.This is a temp fix that has been used for years that always ends up with the owner actually fixing the real problem.You rely on heat tape you can find yourself highly disappointed.Especially when there is a power outage,which is not uncommon during nasty ,windy snowstorms or ice storms.Just fix the problem where the cold air is coming from.
THEY TEND TO SHORT OUT ALMOST BURN MY HOUSE DOWN
I don't like this solution at all. First it's a BIG fire hazard why this solution is only installed professionally outside e. g. in pipes under the soil. Then it's just a waste of energy. If your pipes will freeze inside there's structural problem of your heating system anyway which should be fixed as this type of heating isn't as reliable as it seems. If drinking water pipes could freeze for example your water supply for your garden outside of your house just install a tap which has a valve inside of your house where it is warm and after closing empties the pipe after the valve automatically (without electricity) so it can't freeze. Another solution could be proper insulation and an circulation pump. When it comes to problems with freezing pipes an reliable systematic solution is always cheaper than a short term one. (when one pipe freezes others freeze as well as no heat can't be transfered.
I think you are mixing up different one, there are outdoor versions of these but that isn't what I showed. Fixing the root of the problem is great if you can, mobile homes, rvs won't ever be able to do that and use these extensively. Also some older houses its just not affordable to reroute old pipes, just saying that its easier said than done.
@@SilverCymbal Technicly there's no difference between outdoor and indoor ones. Maybe there's water protection or something similar. But that doesn't change anything. It's still a BIG fire hazard just from the physically and technical point. In Germany these are forbidden inside. Of courfe it's easier said then done but over time it's cheaper and way more environmentally friendly which is a BIG aspect in a climate change.
to avoid freezing pipes i live a country that isn't shit
Cool?