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Stesso
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Apply Insulation — Insulate Exposed Pipes

Beginner4 hours

Part of project

Prevent Frozen Pipes: A Winter Plumbing Protection Guide · Step 2 of 3

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In this video

Wrap the pipe insulation around the heat tape and pipe, covering the entire heated section.

Goal: Insulate the pipe

Used in this video

  • Pipe insulation (Size/Dimension: Large) — Insulating the pipe
  • Electrical tape — Securing the insulation
209.6K views87820 minutes
Matt Risinger

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FAQs

Do I need any specialized tools other than a caulk gun for this project, or just what's listed?

While a caulk gun is essential for sealing, you'll also need a utility knife to cut pipe insulation sleeves to size. Work gloves and safety glasses are highly recommended for protection, especially when working in tight or dusty spaces.

How do I decide between foam pipe insulation and electric heat cable for my exposed pipes?

Foam insulation sleeves are suitable for pipes in moderately cold unheated areas like basements or garages. Electric heat cable is recommended for highly vulnerable spots, such as pipes near exterior vents or in extremely cold, exposed locations, as it provides active heating to prevent freezing.

When sealing air leaks, what specific areas around the sill plate should I pay close attention to?

Focus on any gaps where pipes penetrate exterior walls or the foundation. Also, inspect along the entire length of the sill plate, which is where your house's framing sits on the foundation, for cracks or openings that could allow cold air to infiltrate.

Is 4 hours a realistic estimate for a beginner, and what's a typical cost range for materials?

For a beginner, 4 hours is a reasonable estimate for a typical home, though it might take longer if you have extensive plumbing or difficult-to-reach areas. The materials like insulation, caulk, and heat tape usually cost between $50 and $150, depending on the quantity and specific products needed.

Transcript
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now what you're going to want to do is come to see us because we're going to have this installation that stopped this is 3/4 actually this is made to pick one inch copper because you've got a 3/4 X plus the heat tape which is gonna make it bigger than the 7/8 so you're gonna need to get a little bit bigger insulation like we have here we also sell it 1/2 inch thick wall thickness and 1 inch wall thickness I suggested 1 inch wall thickness this is what we got here is this thick insulation right here you really want to do this heat taping where your pipe is close to your I'll hold or close to anything and we're just going to get any cold hair in it you don't want it even I'm gonna do the whole house with the heat you just wanna do it in a certain area now I'm gonna take insulation it's already pre split James - he answered and you're gonna wrap the installation around the fire like like so I'm going down like this six foot sections and you really you don't gonna have this sticking out we'll just kind of run out of pipe so we're gonna master right here actually that's not when we stick it out like it okay all this when we get them in your installation like so once you do that first you gotta take you see this right here you gotta pull this off pull this off drip it all the way back this is free sticky stuff over here you just stick it together take a degree after you do the whole piece like James starbuck away then you run you're like take around it to hold it in place

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