As many installers will remember from last year’s ‘Beast from the East’, the problems of frozen pipes are an all too common occurrence. To combat the issue, ensuring seamless joints on pipe insulation is crucial to minimising potential heat losses, says Pipe Lagger Pro.
Problem
Winter months unfortunately bring about many costly negative effects, with the most common problem experienced by homeowners often relating to their cold water pipework freezing. This is especially relevant to pipes which are located outside of a building, or in unheated living spaces (roof spaces, beneath vented floor voids), or where the water remains stationary in sub-zero ambient temperatures.
When an ice plug is eventually formed, it expands to the point where it is able to exert enough pressure to burst the pipe or fitting.
These follow-up costs can incur a great expense, and can be a source of real pain for installers, at a time of year where they are already under pressure. Yet it is imperative that repairs are done to any damage to buildings or properties, which can include wet ceilings, spoilt goods, or disruptions to the heating and hot water systems within the home.
Solution
There are solutions to the problem, however. Closed cell elastomeric or polyethylene foam, for instance, will delay freezing time considerably by preventing moisture ingress, but will also minimise thermal heat losses and prevent the heat source from unnecessary cycling.
Crucially, unless pipe insulation is fitted correctly – with seamless joints, for example – the aforementioned problems may still exist. This is because with every volume percentage increase in moisture content, the thermal conductivity and insulation effect deteriorates. A reliable insulation system must therefore exist to provide protection against freezing, heat losses and heat gains.
Pipe Lagger Pro is designed to simplify the process of pipe lagging and to ensure seamless joints are created. Pipe lagging is often viewed as a laborious and unappealing task, and the tool equips plumbers with the confidence to enhance homes and provide inspiration for others to further improve industry standards.
It aims to remove the guesswork of the job, and the potential risk of a sub-standard finish, which may result in frozen pipework. The product is compatible with 13, 19 and 25mm wall thickness polyethylene foam on 15, 22 and 28mm pipe diameters.
