| Author |
Message |
    
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 442
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 10:47 pm: |     |
Question:
Is it ok to wrap some regular wall insuation around a bare steam heat pipe. I have an area where the steam pipe exits the foundation and leads under a crawl space. Theres a huge draft coming in around the pipe opening and I want to plug it up. |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3405
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 7:51 am: | |
That would not be a problem.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 116
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 8:44 am: | |
I'd say plug the hole also ...
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 447
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 2:48 pm: | |
What would be the best way to plug the space around the pipe up besides fiberglass insulation? Mortar, furnace cement,?? The pipe goes through the top cinder block of the foundation out to the crawl space.. |
imacgrandma
Citizen
Username: Imacgrandma
Post Number: 214
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 9:20 pm: | |
I also have a crawl space problem. Luckily, I used to spelunk, so I put on all my gear, crawled under and insulated pipes, side walls, anything I could reach. But when it stays very cold for a long time there is not much you can do, the cold just progresses. Look at a can of foam insulation. See how it says it can be used. If it can be used, apply it sparingly. People tend to overdo it. |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 449
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 9:24 pm: | |
Oh how I wish I could get into my crawl space. The first thing I would do would be to insulate the floor. I have no access to my crawl space other than 3 brick size air vents on each side. |
jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3408
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 6:10 pm: | |
NRL,
Consider opening an access hole someplace and service the problems.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 293
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 11:36 pm: | |
Just consider that if you compress the regular insulation, it wil not work. If you can find it, perlite formed pipe insulation is best. All your exposed steam pipes should be insulated in the basement area, otherwise your boiler will be undersized(boilers were designed to have insulated steam pipes) and heat will be uneven in the house. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2086
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 6:07 am: | |
NRL,
Since you are trying to block draft, jamming a piece of fiberglass batt into the gaps around the pipe will do the trick. It may lose insulating value by being compressed, but the draft will cease.
Tourne,
Why on earth would I use perlite pipe insulation versus the fiberglass pipe insulation for my steam pipes? What is the cost differential? While it can handle 1000 degree temperatures, most of us don't need that because we are heating our homes with high-temperature/pressure steam plants.
Regarding uninsulated steam mains, what you say about boiler sizing an insulated steam mains is true in theory. And certainly if one's boiler is struggling, it is worth checking the insulation. OTOH, if your pipes are bare and the system is working well, there is no need to mess with the pipes unless your basement is too hot. |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 295
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 12:54 pm: | |
Tjohn,
True, any formed insulation made for steam pipes is good. True again, uninsulated pipes COULD cause uneven heat but if there is no noticeable problem, don't SWEAT it. Ha. |
tjohn
Citizen
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 2105
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 1:01 pm: | |
Tourne,
It just seemed like the Perlite is designed for more extreme conditions than one encounters in residential steam heating.
tj |
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