Excessive chilly temperatures is usually a massive drawback when utilizing PVC pipe for water programs. PVC pipe does not do nicely with liquids which have frozen contained in the pipe. When the liquid expands, the PVC pipe typically breaks. An answer for a lot of owners is heating tape. Is it attainable to make use of heating tape safely on PVC pipes?
Heating tape or different associated warmth merchandise are secure to make use of on PVC pipe. The important thing to soundly utilizing heating tape or cable on PVC pipe is correct set up and the proper heating tape product. Care should be taken to make sure that the heating tape doesn’t overheat the PVC pipe. Overheating can weaken the tube and trigger leaks or failure.
Nothing is extra disastrous once you discover a damaged or leaking pipe filling your own home with water. This situation typically happens in extraordinarily chilly climate when uncovered and even protected pipes freeze. Extended publicity to temperatures only a few levels beneath zero may cause issues. Warmth band can imply the distinction between a trouble-free winter and a succession of bursting pipes and freezing water.
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Contents
Chilly safety in your PVC pipes
PVC pipe has change into a de facto normal for residential set up in lots of areas of the nation. In areas the place prefabricated homes are frequent, the water pipes below the prefabricated home are all the time made from PVC. These PVC water pipes should be protected against freezing.
Heating tape can present this 24/7 safety with out greater than just a little routine upkeep and care throughout set up. Many varieties of heating tapes are completely secure to make use of with PVC pipes. It’s advisable to think about all components affecting heating tapes and PVC pipes earlier than endeavor any kind of set up.
Selecting the best heating product in your PVC pipes
Once you begin selecting the thermal product in your PVC pipe, one can find a wide range of sorts, kinds and names. Earlier than you store, it’s good to perceive the terminology used and the way these completely different thermal merchandise can be utilized.
In any case, you must be sure that the heating tape product you select is authorised by the producer to be used on PVC pipe. Some producers suggest utilizing their warmth tape merchandise on water pipes, however not drain and drain pipes. Drain and drain tubing is usually thinner walled than Schedule 40 PVC and might soften extra simply.
tubular warmth tapes
Warmth bands are because the title suggests. The heating a part of the heating tape resembles a flat band with wires within the insulation that present the heating. This type of PVC pipe warmth product is versatile and simple to put in. Many of those heating tape merchandise have adhesive on one facet to make sure the heating tape makes good contact with the pipe.
Typically, you peel off a paper backing to disclose the adhesive. The heating tape is utilized in a spiral across the pipe. It is best to rigorously comply with the producer’s directions when wrapping the heating tape across the pipe. The heating tape should be correctly spaced to supply enough safety. By no means do you have to overlap the heating tape when wrapping.
tubular heating cable
Pipe heating cable shouldn’t be flat like heating tape. Heating cables are just like a daily piece of wire and could also be shielded with a metallic braid to guard the cable. Normally, the heating cable shouldn’t be normally wrapped across the pipe. The heating cable generates extra warmth than heating tape and may be routed alongside the pipe to guard it.
Attributable to this larger warmth output, the heating cable doesn’t have to suit as tightly to the pipe as heating tape. Most producers embrace clamps or clips to connect the heating cable to the pipe. When putting in heating cables on PVC pipes, you will need to rigorously comply with the producer’s directions.
Tubular heating cable can be known as hint heating
Use solely a temperature managed heating tape or cable
Heating tape and cable are provided with and and not using a temperature controller. It is crucial that you just solely set up heating cable or cable that has thermostatic management of the temperature of the heating cable. Heating tapes and cables which can be secure to make use of on PVC pipe have a regulator and inside thermostat to forestall overheating.
Can I additionally insulate the heating tape?
Placing insulation over the heating tape or cable is usually a nice concept to present your pipes further safety from freezing. Putting insulation over the heating tape may scale back the quantity of energy the heating tape attracts throughout operation. Nevertheless, not all thermal tapes or cables are created equal.
Examine the labels and directions that include the heating tape. It is best to discover directions on the best way to use the warmth tape. Most producers will clearly state in the event you can put insulation over the heating tape. By no means insulate over a heating tape or cable that’s not particularly labeled as supposed to be used below the insulation.
Use the proper kind of heating tape or cable
Some warmth tapes are designed for indoor use solely. Don’t route these kinds of warmth tape or cable the place they might be uncovered to the climate. Whether or not the world below your prefab is taken into account weatherproof is troublesome to find out. It ought to be acceptable if an apron round your RV protects the heating tape from direct contact with water, snow and different moisture.
Different heating merchandise are just like heating tapes and heating cables, however are supposed for various purposes. An instance is a heating product positioned on the roof to forestall ice dams in your gutters. These heating merchandise ought to by no means be used to warmth plumbing pipes.
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Plug your heating tape right into a GFCI protected outlet
Heating tapes and cords, even these with a thermostat, may cause unintentional fires. Make sure that any outlet you employ to energy your heating tape or twine has a GFCI breaker within the circuit. This offers you further safety towards quick circuits and the potential of an unintentional fireplace.
Defend your self and your property from freezing temperatures
Slightly little bit of prevention is much better than the outcomes. You’ll be able to keep away from costly plumbing repairs from frozen and burst pipes through the use of thermal tape or cable in your PVC water pipes. Putting in heating tape in your PVC pipes is secure when completed accurately and in keeping with the producer’s directions.