Foreword... In the article, we will consider in detail the insulation of heating and water supply pipes in the basement, the basic requirements for insulation for pipes, what should be insulated, as well as detailed instructions how to insulate the water pipes in the basement with your own hands. We will also show a video comparing pipe heaters.
Regardless of what material the water supply pipe is made of in the basement - galvanized steel or modern metal-plastic - during winter frosts, frozen water can easily break them. Therefore, the owner should think in advance about how to properly insulate the water pipes in the basement, how to insulate the basement of the house and what material is best used for this.
The water supply system has two vulnerable areas, which are located on the street or in unheated room, for example, if you have not yet insulated the basement in the house. The question of how and how to insulate pipes in the basement of a house is easier to solve. The requirements for insulating materials should take into account the ease of installation and the duration of operation, since everyone wants to do the work quickly and for a long time.
Requirements for materials for pipe insulation
The duration of the service life of the insulation material;
The water-repellent characteristics of the insulation, which increase its performance;
Fire safety, as well as the ability of the material to self-extinguish;
Convenience and ease of installation with the possibility of repeated use;
Acceptable cost of material for insulating water pipes.
Types of heaters for heating pipes
In addition, a number of materials are presented technological requirements, depending on technical and operational characteristics - resistance to chemical, mechanical and temperature influences. Having figured out the basic properties, you can start choosing the most suitable pipe insulation, for example, K-flex.
In the distant past, a material like a cotton blanket was used to insulate water pipes. Today, the range of heaters for pipes is so wide that it is quite difficult to figure out the variety for yourself, so all the most popular materials should be considered in detail.
How to insulate pipes in the basement with your own hands
Glass wool
Fiberglass insulation from Isover, Knauf and Ursa. The material is used most often for insulating metal-plastic pipes. Positive characteristic is an low density material, its use requires additional insulation using rolled hydro insulating materials(fiberglass or roofing felt), which requires additional costs of finance and time.
Basalt insulation
Basalt heaters in the form of basalt fiber cylinders. The form allows you to mount the insulation without the construction of special trays, due to its cylindrical shape, while the cost of the insulation can be high. The upper protective layer of waterproofing can be made of foil or glassine.
Foam insulation
Styrofoam is the most common material. Expanded polystyrene shells can be used to insulate pipes without an outer coating, does not require laying trays. Insulation can be reused and performance characteristics expanded polystyrene meet all the requirements for the insulation of water pipes.
Video. Comparison of heaters for pipes
How to insulate pipes in the basement with your own hands
Do-it-yourself pipe insulation with mineral wool
Thermal insulation of pipes with mineral wool
For plastic pipes It is best to use mineral wool or glass wool for heating. Take a roll of cotton wool, unwind it and cut small pieces. Wrap it around the water pipe and secure it with a nylon rope. To do this, wind and tie a rope on one side of the pipe, and spiral around the pipe to the end and tie the rope securely - this is the initial insulation.
Waterproof the water pipe. To do this, take a roll of roofing material and cut off small pieces of 2-3 m each. Wrap the heating pipe over the heater. Try to make overlaps of at least 10 cm. Take the nylon rope again, tie it at one end and wind it around the heating pipe or water supply in a spiral as well. Additionally, the insulation can be wrapped with tape.
Insulation of the pipe with expanded polystyrene
Thermal insulation of pipes with polyurethane foam
Take a polyurethane foam "shell" and connect two halves around the pipe, wrap the edge with tape. Overlap the following parts by about 10-20 cm. At the junction, wrap the shell with tape. The insulation can have a layer of foil, which makes it look like a thermos. This insulation can be used in the basement and outdoors.
Insulation of the pipe with expanded polystyrene
Insulation with expanded polystyrene is the most available material... Expanded polystyrene "shells" are produced for different pipe diameters, installation is easy, at the lowest cost. Take the halves of the insulation, connect it around the pipe and wrap it with tape. Perform this operation until the entire pipe is covered with insulation.
How to insulate heating pipes in the basement video
Foreword... Regardless of the material of the pipes laid in the basement of a private or apartment building, steel or metal-plastic - during frosts, with insufficient insulation, frozen water can break the water supply. Consider the technology of insulating water supply and heating pipes, requirements for thermal insulation, and also show a video instruction on how to independently insulate water pipes in the basement.
To the owner country house even before the onset of cold weather, you should think about how to properly insulate the pipes in the basement on your own, how to insulate the blind area of the house and the foundation, and what kind of heat-insulating material is better to use for this. The fact is that the water supply system has the most vulnerable areas for freezing; these problem areas are located on the street or in an unheated basement of a residential building.
Insulation requirements for pipes in the basement
If the insulation of the water supply system in the ground is a more laborious issue, then the thermal insulation of the water supply pipes in the basement of an apartment or private house is easier to solve. The main requirements for insulating materials for water pipes are ease of installation, low thermal conductivity and the longest possible operation of the material during humid environment because everyone wants to get the job done quickly and for a long time.
There are many requirements for pipe insulation, depending on the mode of operation of the material - resistance to temperature, chemical and mechanical stress. To start choosing a suitable pipe insulation, you should list essential characteristics which you should pay attention to when buying:
- the maximum duration of the service life;
- water repellency of thermal insulation;
- incombustibility, the ability to self-extinguish;
- ease of installation, reuse;
- low cost of pipe insulation;
- environmental safety of the material.
More recently, all kinds of improvised materials were used to insulate pipes in the basements of houses - foam rubber, quilted blankets, synthetic winterizer, etc. But today the assortment of modern heaters for pipes is quite wide, so it is quite difficult to figure out this huge variety on your own. Consider in the next chapter the most popular thermal insulation materials for work.
How to insulate pipes in the basement of the house with your own hands
Fiberglass insulation, for example, glass wool Isover or URSA is used more often for thermal insulation metal-plastic pipes... The advantages of glass wool include the low thermal conductivity of the material, but its use requires additional waterproofing using roll materials (fiberglass, izolon, glassine or roofing felt), which will require additional financial costs.
Basalt heaters in the form of cylinders allow you to process water pipes without the additional construction of special trays. Due to its cylindrical shape, the insulation is excellent for insulating heating pipes in the basement of the house. The top layer of waterproofing is usually made of foil insulation, but the cost of this insulation can be quite high.
Foam insulation is more common. Expanded polystyrene shells are used for pipes without an outer waterproofing coating... The foam or extruded polystyrene foam shell can be reused (easily removed if necessary) rather than high price and ease of installation satisfy all basic requirements.
Foamed polyethylene(Penofol, Izolon, etc.) is a moisture-proof, non-rotting, elastic material with good thermal insulation properties. For thermal insulation of pipes, the material is supplied in the form of a hollow tube with a cut, which greatly simplifies installation. Foamed polyethylene pipe insulation can be used in buildings for various purposes.
How to insulate pipes in the basement of a house with your own hands
Thermal insulation of pipes in the basement of a private house with foamed polyethylene or other materials is the most simple technology that everyone can handle. First of all, it is necessary to prepare the water supply or heating pipes for the insulation procedure - to clean all the treated surfaces from dust or dirt. It is possible to insulate pipes in multi-apartment and private ones at any time, before and after their installation.
Thermal insulation of pipes in the basement of the house with mineral wool
Thermal insulation of pipes in the basement with mineral wool is the most time-consuming method. Take a roll of basalt or fiberglass wool and cut it into small pieces. Wrap the mineral wool around the water pipe and secure it with a nylon rope - tie the rope around the insulation on one side of the pipe, then circle the rope in a spiral to the end of the pipe and tie the rope securely on the pipe.
On top of the insulation, it is necessary to make waterproofing protection. Cut a roll of waterproofing (roofing felt, glassine or foil-clad penofol) into pieces of the required size and wrap over the insulated pipe. You can fix the waterproofing with a rope or tape. It is recommended to overlap at least 10 centimeters between the joints of the waterproofing.
Insulation of pipes with a shell made of polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene
Insulation of pipes in the basement of a house with shells is one of the most simple ways protection of communications from freezing. Pipe insulation made of polyurethane foam, foam or extrusion is produced for different pipe diameters, the shell may have outer layer from foil. When choosing between these three materials, mainly pay attention to the cost, since they have almost the same other characteristics.
Mounting the shell on the pipe is easy and cost effective. For laying, take two halves of the shell, connect them around the pipe and secure with tape. Place the following parts on the pipe with an overlap of the previous part by 10-20 cm. The operation is repeated until the entire pipe in the basement of a private house is protected from possible freezing by the insulation.
Thermal insulation of a water pipe with a polyethylene foam tube
Foamed polyethylene pipe insulation is the simplest and most common way to protect water pipes from freezing in the ground and in basements apartment buildings... The material can be installed before laying the pipes by pushing the pipes into the hollow foam foam tube, as well as on the already installed pipes- all you need to do is cut the polyethylene foam tube with a knife.
If pipe insulation cut for installation, then it is necessary to fix the material on the pipe using plastic clamps, aluminized or ordinary tape. The main advantage of this heat insulator is that no additional waterproofing is required. In addition, polyethylene foam can be used for self-insulation gas pipe outside.
For those of us who have an individual heating system installed in the apartment, such a question as insulating heating pipes may seem far-fetched. And really, why insulate something that already has a sufficiently high temperature?
However, the hosts country houses, as well as those who use common house heating know perfectly well that thermal insulation of pipelines is not only useful, but also necessary. In our article we will tell you why you need to insulate, and what material is best for this.
Why is thermal insulation needed?
As we noted above, many people do not understand the very purpose of insulating pipes through which hot water passes. At first glance, the situation looks somewhat absurd: he heats up the pipe himself, and even in the most severe frost it cannot freeze, which means that a breakthrough is practically impossible.
But the thing is that the task of thermal insulation of heating systems is not at all to protect them from freezing.
- If the house is heated by means of a separate boiler room, then all highways through which the coolant flows must be effectively insulated. This is done to reduce heat loss when passing through hot water from the boiler room to the consumer.
- The same applies to pipes in the basement of an apartment building: the more effective the thermal insulation of the pipes, the higher the temperature of the batteries in the premises will be.
- In private houses with individual heating the situation is somewhat different, but even in them it sometimes becomes necessary to protect pipelines from heat loss. For example, if the boiler is located in a remote wing of a building, then the pipes passing through the basements and storerooms can be covered with thermal insulation.
Naturally, in such a situation, insulated pipes for heating provide us with a double benefit: on the one hand, the temperature in the room rises, and on the other, we reduce the cost of purchasing energy resources.
The choice of material for thermal insulation
Mineral wool materials
To date, to reduce heat loss when moving hot water through pipelines, the most different materials... The choice of material depends on pipe diameter, operating conditions, efficiency requirements, etc.
Below we will consider the most common insulation options.
The most popular materials used to protect the coolant in heating systems, includes mineral wool. It is used in the most different conditions, and at the same time provides a fairly effective thermal insulation. Materials based on mineral wool are able to withstand temperatures up to 650 0 С, which makes it possible to use them directly in boiler rooms.
The advantages include:
- High resistance to various chemical influences - alkalis, acids, oils, organic solvents, etc.
- Non-toxic and safe during operation.
- Low water absorption. This parameter is very important, since when humidified, any heat insulator loses a significant proportion of its effectiveness.
- Low price.
Note! Mineral wool insulation can be easily assembled with your own hands - you just need to remember about the means of protection.
It will be most effective to use mineral wool for insulation of external pipelines, heating systems in basements multi-storey buildings and also - for thermal insulation chimneys whose surface is very hot.
Mineral wool derivatives are often used as more effective materials:
- Basalt wool- made on the basis of natural raw materials, the main component of which are basalt-containing rocks... It has all the advantages of mineral wool, in addition, 0- differs in a lower coefficient of thermal conductivity. Very durable.
- Glass wool (fiberglass)- produced from quartz sand and cullet. Differs in low density and vulnerability to high temperatures, therefore it is used exclusively for external thermal insulation.
Polyurethane foam insulation
For domestic use, polyurethane foam insulation is most often used. These materials are produced in the form of special tubes, assembled according to the principle of "tube in tube" (pictured). This design, in addition to reducing thermal energy losses, additionally gives the pipeline mechanical strength.
Advice! To protect the insulation from leaks, manufacturers recommend using shrink tape made of polymeric materials.
TO positive qualities polyurethane foam thermal insulation should include:
- Lack of toxic compounds in the composition of the material.
- Resistance to atmospheric influences.
- High mechanical strength.
- Electroneutrality.
Such insulating materials will not rot or degrade when exposed to most chemicals.
True, there is also a quite obvious drawback - the rather high cost of the material. It is this feature of polyurethane foam insulation that limits its use.
Foamed polymer materials
In addition to polyurethane, other synthetic materials are used for insulation. Among them:
- Foamed rubber. It is characterized by high elasticity and high temperature resistance. The fire resistance of foamed rubber and its tendency to self-extinguish makes this material indispensable for use in rooms where there is a high probability of contact of the insulation with an open flame or sparks.
- Foamed polyethylene- practically perfect material for internal insulation... It is produced in the form of tubes with technological cuts in a wide range: you can choose a heater for a pipeline of almost any diameter. Insulation installation instructions are shown in the video instructions on our website.
Note! Polyethylene possesses sufficient chemical inertness, and, importantly, it does not deteriorate under the influence of cement and other building materials.
- Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam)- similar in properties to polyethylene foam, but it has greater rigidity. Insulation is produced in the form of pipe pieces provided with small protrusions for fastening. Does not form cold bridges, can serve up to 50 years.
- Foamed glass. It is used quite rarely, but at the same time it has good operational properties... It has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, well protects pipes from heat loss. Differs in high density, does not deform under prolonged exposure.
- An important plus of foam glass is that it is ignored by rodents.
Liquid insulation
An alternative to all the above materials is a special insulating paint... It is a composition characterized by a high heat transfer resistance. This paint is applied in a thin layer to pipes, while one layer is able to replace polyurethane or polyethylene insulation up to 50 mm thick.
Experts attribute their aesthetic value to additional benefits from the use of such paints. appearance and protection of metal from corrosion. The paint-and-lacquer layer is not subject to temperature deformations, therefore the paint does not crack even after 10 years of using the pipeline.
Insulating the water pipes in the basement means creating a comfortable microclimate and reducing the cost of the heating system. Such works are important both for private houses and for multi-apartment buildings. Certain requirements apply to the pipeline insulation process. This applies to any systems: plumbing, heating and sewerage.
V last years polypropylene structures in the basements of houses have become popular. Do I need to insulate them? If during the construction process was not insulated strip foundation, it is required. If a private building is used only in summer and is not heated in winter, pipe insulation will not allow the system to freeze and fail.
Requirements for insulation materials
Various materials are used to insulate pipes in the basement of a private house. Regardless of their type and composition, they must correspond to important indicators:
- be durable;
- resistant to moisture;
- fireproof;
- easy to install;
- resistant to temperature extremes.
How to insulate the pipeline in the basement
The better to insulate the water pipes in the basement, because the choice of materials is great. The first step is to choose a heater that meets the above requirements.
Mineral wool and glass wool
These insulators are best used for metal-plastic structures. Fiberglass has low thermal conductivity and high temperature resistance. But it does not tolerate moisture. Therefore, you will have to spend extra money on moisture insulation. Such insulation is used only for buildings that are heated all year round.
Minvata is dangerous for human skin and mucous membranes. It is recommended to work with it with gloves and a respirator. The material must be wound around the pipeline and secured with a strong rope. Wrap the entire length of the pipe and secure at the end. It is recommended to apply foil or roofing felt on top of the mineral wool.
PPU and expanded polystyrene
Such insulators are resistant to moisture and mechanical stress. They can be used several times if repair and analysis of the structure is required. To insulate the heating pipes in the basement with expanded polystyrene, you need to wind it around the pipe and fasten it with tape around the entire circumference. Such insulation has the properties of a thermos. It is highly resistant to environmental influences and perfectly retains heat around the pipe.
Foamed polyethylene
The insulator is easy to install. Quickly attaches to pipes. Using clamps or foil tape. Perfectly protects heating structures in private houses. Can be used many times.
The process of warming the water supply system in the basement
To insulate water pipe in the basement by yourself, not required professional tools and skills. After selecting a suitable insulator, you need to arm yourself with clamps, tape or nylon wire.
- Measure outside diameter and the length of the pipeline. Cut the material according to the parameters. Sometimes you need to wrap sewer pipes repeatedly. This should be taken into account when "cutting" the insulator.
- Wrap the heating structure and immediately fix the insulation. Wrap the tape or rope tightly. It is easier to work if the materials are cut to length in small pieces.
Related articles:
To reduce heat loss when installing heating systems on outdoors, use the insulation of the mains, which is a multi-layer casing made of various materials. External protection heating pipes significantly increases the service life of the line, reduces the financial costs of maintenance and fuel consumption for the boiler room. With the help of insulation, a stable temperature of the coolant is achieved, which reaches the end user without significant losses.
Insulation materials and requirements for heating systems
The list of materials used for thermal insulation of pipelines:
- mineral wool;
- expanded polystyrene;
- penoizol;
- foamed polyethylene;
- polyurethane foam;
- penofol.
Not only the main main pipelines are subject to insulation, but also the heating pipes of private and apartment buildings located in the basement, cellar, on the roof, and on the street. Modern heaters develop from inexpensive materials, with an ergonomic design that helps to process pipes without the help of professionals and special tools.
Insulation for heating and hot water pipes - material requirements:
- Low thermal conductivity.
- Safety for humans and environment.
- Inert to acids, alkalis and other biological substances.
- Non-flammable material.
- High melting point.
- Low hygroscopicity.
- High corrosion resistance.
- Durability.
- Profitability.
- Easy installation.
Features of the use of mineral wool as insulation
Mineral wool is perhaps the most famous, oldest and reliable material from all types of insulation. Along with high-quality thermal insulation, it ensures the safety and durability of pipelines. The material does not burn, is inert to acids, alkalis, and other chemical compounds... The cost of mineral wool is much lower than most modern insulators, which plays an important role with large volumes of construction.
Types of mineral wool for insulation:
- glass - obtained from glass melt;
- stone - obtained from the melt of volcanic rocks;
- slag - a product of blast furnace slag processing.
Like most porous materials, rock wool is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture well from the environment. Material saturated with water dramatically loses its thermal insulation properties and promotes metal corrosion. Therefore, when insulating pipelines, external waterproofing must be provided. Usually these are sheets of roofing material or aluminum foil increased strength.
The need for waterproofing dramatically increases the total cost of installing a heating system. Therefore, today mineral wool for insulating heating pipes is used in rare cases when it is not possible to use cheaper analogs.
Technical characteristics of expanded polystyrene
Two semi-cylinders made of expanded polystyrene are put on the pipe from above and below. In the places of the cut there is a groove, which ensures that there are no cracks and that the parts are securely joined together. Insulated pipe wrapped with metal wire, tape or reinforced with clamps. The casing reliably protects the line from cooling and physical damage. Despite the water-repellent properties of the material, it must be protected from moisture. For this, waterproofing is provided.
Compared to mineral wool, expanded polystyrene is a cheaper and easier-to-use insulator. It is preferably used when installing heating systems in private houses, basements, since the material is easy to install even for a non-professional. It is quite easy to insulate the risers with your own hands - it is important to choose the correct diameter of the casing, fix it on the highway, and process it with waterproofing. If the area is damaged, the coating is removed and replaced with a new one.
The disadvantage of using expanded polystyrene as a pipe insulation is the impossibility of processing the bends and turns of the heating system with a casing made of this material.
The main characteristics of expanded polystyrene are given in table 1.
| The name of indicators | PSB-S-15U | PSB-S-15 | PSB-S-25 | PSB-S-35 | PSB-S-50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density, kg / cubic meter | to 10 | up to 15 | 15,1-25 | 25,1-35 | 35,1-50 |
| Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation, MPa, not less | 0,05 | 0,06 | 0,08 | 0,16 | 0,20 |
| Flexural strength, not less | 0,08 | 0,12 | 0,17 | 0,36 | 0,35 |
| Thermal conductivity in dry condition at 25 ° С, W (m K) | 0,043 | 0,042 | 0,039 | 0,037 | 0,036 |
| Water absorption in 24 hours,% by volume, no more | 3,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 | 2,0 |
| Humidity,% no more | 2,4 | 2,4 | 2,4 | 2,4 | 2,4 |
Penoizol for insulation of heating systems
Modern insulation for heating pipes, similar in quality to expanded polystyrene. Penoizol is applied to the surface of the line in liquid form using a special spray. Under the influence atmospheric air the material hardens, forming a strong non-hygroscopic film without seams.
Penoizol technical characteristics:
- thermal conductivity 0.035 ... 0.047 W / m 0С;
- temperature limit -50 ... + 1200С;
- density 15 kg / m3;
- compressive strength - no more than 1 kg / cm2;
- adsorption - 6 ... 8%.
After processing, the pipes do not need to be closed waterproofing material- Penoizol does not absorb moisture, does not allow air to pass through, does not react to chemicals, biological substances. If the tightness of the coating is broken, the damaged area is simply foamed again.
Insulation of pipes with foamed polyethylene
Foamed polyethylene is sold in rolls, so it is easy to use it to insulate water pipes for every householder. The film is cut into pieces, wrapped around pipes, fastened with wire, clamps.
Advantages of foamed polyethylene:
- not afraid of moisture;
- durable;
- easy to assemble;
- economical;
- not hygroscopic;
- not flammable, melts at a temperature of +115 degrees.
On the other hand, the thermal insulation properties of polyethylene are inferior to other materials. For example, if you wind a pipe in 2-3 layers, then the insulation of the line is very doubtful. If you wind 5-8 layers around the pipeline, the material consumption will increase significantly and this method of insulation will not be economical. Perhaps insulating polyethylene will perfectly protect the pipe from corrosion and moisture, but it will not save it from heat loss in severe frosts.
Which material for pipe insulation is better: polyurethane foam or mineral wool
Polyurethane foam insulation (or shell) is specially designed for metal and polymer pipes heating of various diameters. It is a drop-down casing with a layer of dense polyurethane foam several centimeters thick and outer cover made of metal foil. V ready product lay the pipe and close the edges of the insulation tightly. At the joint there is a self-adhesive tape that tightly closes the seam and prevents the edges from diverging. Insulated pipes look aesthetically pleasing.
Polyurethane foam insulation provides reliable protection polymer and metal pipes from external influences. Today it is the most demanded material for insulation of heating mains in modern construction.
Compare polyurethane foam and mineral wool you can study the characteristics given in Table 2.
Polyurethane foam is the same polyurethane foam, only in liquid form. Therefore, insulation of small sections of pipes can be carried out by covering them with liquid foam. Freezing polyurethane foam expands, fills cavities, forming a volumetric casing made of foamed polyurethane. This method can be used to insulate pipes in a basement, apartment or private house. It is especially convenient to foam welds, bends, that is, those places where they do not use standard methods insulation.
Yulia Petrichenko, expert
Penofol for isolation of highways
Of modern insulating materials, penofol has received special sympathy - foamed polyethylene with a layer of aluminum foil as an external protective coating, which provides additional thermal insulation. it roll material, which is cut depending on the diameter of the pipe to be insulated. Penofol is simply wrapped around the line - the material adheres firmly to the surface and becomes one with the pipe. The canvas is flexible and easily takes the shape of pipelines, covering the places of bends and turns.
Along with excellent thermal insulation properties, it has a low cost, which allows it to be used in large-scale projects. Suitable for those who want to insulate a pipeline in an apartment or private house with their own hands. The material is used for insulation, waterproofing of walls, floors, ceilings, assembly seams of windows, slopes, etc.
Where pipe insulation is required
Insulation of heating pipes, hot and cold water supply is necessary if the mains run underground, on open space, in the basement or in the attic of apartment buildings, private houses. Insulation for outdoor heating pipes allows you to cope with many of the disadvantages of the physical and chemical properties of the line material and the disadvantages of installing the system.
Polymer heating pipes are more resistant to corrosion, but they also require protection from freezing, physical damage, abrasion, etc. Metal pipes, despite the rigidity, strength, can quickly rust and become unusable. In addition, metal is a conductor of current, has good thermal conductivity, which is a big disadvantage for heating pipes and hot water supply. Insulation allows you to eliminate these disadvantages and save the temperature of the coolant. What to use for pipe insulation, everyone decides according to their own capabilities.
Materials that reduce the heat transfer of heating pipes are used everywhere in construction. Today manufacturers offer a huge range of thermal insulation materials that can be applied without special tools and skills.
And what is the insulation of the heating system in own home do you provide? What materials do you recommend using when insulating pipes in a private house?