If the pipes in your plumbing system are not insulated, you are probably asking yourself do you need it. The easy answer is no, you don’t need it. But why would you need pipe insulation? There are many good reasons as to why you would need pipe insulation. Some building codes across the country actually mandate that all pipes within the building are insulated. To help you decide if pipe insulation is right for you and you need it, here are a few benefits you get from insulating your pipes:
Cracked Pipes Prevention
A common problem with pipes is that they freeze and then crack. These small cracks get bigger and bigger and eventually the pipe bursts. When a pipe bursts, it can happen at any time. When you’re there, or when you’re not. If you’re not there and it happens, you will be coming home to your new, unwanted, indoor swimming pool. Insulation helps prevent pipes from being exposed to below freezing temperatures and reduces the chances of cracks forming. When water freezes, it expands and inside a pipe, it has nowhere to go. Thus the pipes crack, trying to give the water more room to expand. The pressure of expanding water increases until, finally, the pipe just bursts. When a pipe cracks, it’s usually along the length of the pipe, not just a single whole, meaning an entire section of piping needs to be replaced which can be costly for you.
Energy Efficient
Insulated pipes helps reduce your energy bill. How, do you ask? When hot water is running through the pipes, the insulation reduces the loss of heat as the water travels from the water heater to the faucet. Insulation also allows for hot water to get to the faucet quicker. You don’t have to waste water by running it, waiting for it to get hot. The same thing goes for cold water. Pipe insulation helps prevent cold water from heating up as it travels.
Condensation Reduction
Condensation on pipes can lead to copper corrosion of the pipes themselves, but also the fixtures holding them in place. When warm air comes in contact with cold plumbing pipes, condensation forms on the outside of the pipes which causes the fixtures to rust. Not only are the pipes and fixtures being damaged, the water droplets from the condensation can drip to the floor. This can cause water damage and the growth of mold or mildew. Pipe insulation can prevent this.
For more information about pipe insulation and do you need it, contact York Plumbing and Drains today at (781) 521-8164.
