Without various pipelines today it is difficult to imagine residential and industrial infrastructure. Their operation must be treated carefully, especially if the climatic conditions are not simple. What insulation for water pipes to choose and according to what rules? But first of all, you need to understand for what purpose they still need to be insulated.
Frost protection
The most dangerous thing that can happen to water pipes is their freezing. To prevent this from happening, they try to lay the pipeline below the freezing depth, but this does not always save. So be sure to insulate the pipes before laying. Such a solution will also reduce heat loss on the highway so that our homes are always warm. Insulation for water pipes should also protect the pipe from the condensate that forms on it.
Material Properties
Modern manufacturers offer a huge selection of materials that can be used for pipe insulation. Whichever option you choose, remember that they must meet a number of conditions, namely:
- low thermal conductivity;
- waterproof (due to too much moisture, the thermal insulation properties will deteriorate);
- durability;
- fire resistance;
- biological sustainability.
When choosing insulation for water supply pipes in the ground, remember that you need to take into account a number of additional requirements: firstly, the pipeline must be resistant to mechanical stress, secondly, it must not be subjected to electrical corrosion, and thirdly, it must remain possibility of reuse. Consider the most popular materials for pipe insulation.
Glass wool
One of the most popular thermal insulation materials is glass wool. It is advisable to use it for finishing pipes made of metal-plastic. The advantages of this material include affordability and low density, but it is necessary to use external insulators in the form of rolled materials - fiberglass or roofing felt during installation. This, in turn, will increase the cost of installation. These underground water pipe insulations are easy to install and durable to use.
The process itself involves wrapping the pipe with rolled material. When underground, closed concrete trays are arranged. The most popular among users of glass wool brands such as Isover, Knauf Insulation.
Energoflex
Modern and easy-to-use material "Energoflex" attracts attention with the quality of technical thermal insulation. Heavailable in the form of sheets and tubes, suitable for finishing pipes for various purposes. Insulation for water supply pipes "Energoflex" attracts attention with its resistance to aggressive environments, high strength, resistance to moisture and long service life. The use of the material allows to reduce heat losses, noise and protect the outer surface of the pipe from corrosion and condensation.
Material, foamed polyethylene, has a cellular structure, so it has good performance properties. Insulation for water supply pipes "Energoflex" is available not only in the form of a roll, but also as a self-adhesive reinforced tape.
Styrofoam
Insulation with extruded polystyrene foam is one of the most effective and simple solutions. According to the structure, the material is a set of closed cells, produced in the form of plates or foam shells. Reinforced glass fiber or polymer cement coating can be used as an external coating. Easy-to-use insulation for water supply pipes is polystyrene foam in the form of half-cylinders (shells), which are produced one meter long and differ in thickness and diameter. Their features include ease of installation and dismantling, the possibility of repeated use, resistance to corrosion and ease of access to pipes in case of repair. The installation of such material is carried out with screeds or twists. But styrofoam hasdisadvantages, the most obvious are the high cost and attractiveness to rodents.
Polyethylene foam
PE foam is a good insulation material for underground and outdoor pipes. This insulation for water supply pipes has such features as ease of use, chemical inertness, environmental friendliness, resistance to rotting and burning, durability. Available in the form of tubes or rolls, so you can choose the most convenient method of installation. Insulation technology involves pulling a heater on a pipe like a sock; if the pipes are too large in diameter, they are wrapped with polyethylene foam.
Foamed rubber
Foamed rubber is another insulation for water pipes. The characteristics of this material attract the attention of many. So, we can note its practicality and the basis - natural or combined rubber. Today, many brands offer this versatile material. For example, Thermaflex produces foam rubber based on polyethylene foam with a fine mesh structure. The distinctive features include significant resistance to moisture, low thermal conductivity, long service life.
No less popular is Tubolit brand rubber, which attracts with its unique production technology, due to which the strength of the material becomes higher. Reliable protection against mechanical influences, chemical and aggressive environments makes the use of this thermal insulation in adverse conditionsoptimal. Installation of the material is simple and convenient, so you can handle it yourself: foamed rubber plates are glued to the cleaned pipes. You can fasten them with hangers and clips.
Or liquid?
Easy to use modern liquid pipe insulation. They are good because they fill all the gaps, which ensures the tightness and tightness of the joints. For such a heater for a water supply pipe, the price will be higher, but it is much easier and faster to use it. On average, the cost of the cheapest material for insulation is from 400 rubles per pack. Liquid heaters are consumed more, so more material will be required. The cost of liquid-based heaters starts at an average of 500 rubles per liter. Such heaters work as follows: when mixed with air, their ingredients form a fine aerosol, which is already applied to the surface of the pipe. In just a few seconds, the material increases in size, and the layer becomes thick. This is enough to provide a reliable barrier to heat loss. Liquid heat insulators are durable, easy to apply and uniform in the finished layer.
Popular liquid insulation
The innovative material today is "Airgel", the characteristics of which inspire confidence. By structure, it is a gel-like composition of low density, solid, heat-resistant, with low thermal conductivity and water absorption. It is absolutely safe for he alth and is considered good.insulator, especially when pipes need to be protected from high temperatures.
Penoizol is also popular, which meets the conditions of durability, environmental friendliness, incombustibility, has a breathable structure, low density and complete sound absorption. The liquid variety of penoizol is good because it can fill all the voids and technological holes, thereby providing high-quality insulation. The material is applied by pouring in tiers, resulting in a monolithic layer of insulation.
"Astratek" is another popular insulation for water pipes, which is a homogeneous liquid suspension of high thermal resistance, environmentally friendly, with excellent reflectivity.
Insulation of cold water pipes
For this purpose, it is advisable to use ready-made molds for pipes of different diameters, mineral wool sheets, foam plastic or bas alt fiber. Insulation for cold water pipes, in addition to the main function, should protect pipes from condensate.
Whatever method of insulating water pipes you choose, remember that you need to take into account two factors:
- Location of insulated pipes.
- Convenience and ease of installation.
A good insulation must meet a range of operational properties so that the pipeline is under reliable protection throughout the year, regardless of temperature fluctuations. And a huge selection of manufacturers offering their products will help you choosebest option.
