Insulating Pex Pipe Freezing

Foam insulation tubing helps stop water pipes from freezing.

Insulating pex pipe freezing.

Use pex pipe for your water line. So keeping these tubes wrapped in some kind of insulation just makes sense. But insulating pex pipes makes sense because although they are less likely to crack than other types of pipes they are still susceptible to ultraviolet light and freezing. Pex tubing is susceptible to cracking when it s exposed to freezing temperatures or ultraviolet light.

Click here for a video tour of one of the freeze proof systems i installed. Pex pipe freezing is a question frequently asked in the case of pex the start of the conversation is much like other materials. Pex is flexible and made of cross linked polyethylene requiring no primer or cement to hold the joints in place. Select localities colder climate zones recommend r value of 4 0 and above 5 8 walls.

Keep the tubing shielded from both hazards to increase its life. How to insulate pex. While pex does not ordinarily burst in the cold the water in the pipes can still freeze. During spells of acutely cold weather allow indoor faucets to dribble to relieve damaging.

Insulate pex pipe exposed to freezing temperatures. Foam is used most commonly and generally works well. These joints are either plastic or brass and are fitted to the pipes using crimp rings. One more tip and it s a big one.

It is important to choose the right insulation material. Tips for insulating pex pipes. It is important to insulate pex pipe in an attic particularly in cold weather areas. Pex is available in a variety of lengths from short 10 foot pieces for small repairs to rolls over 500 feet long which are used to install a home s entire water supply system.

While pex is freeze resistant yes pex can freeze there are ways to defend against this though including strategic building design placement of tubing and the type of insulation. Doe recommends pipe insulation with a minimum of 3 0 r value 3 8 thick insulation walls.