How to choose a heater for water supply pipes? Manufacturers overview and installation instructions

Without various pipelines, it is difficult to imagine a residential and industrial infrastructure today. Their operation should be treated carefully, especially if the climatic conditions are not simple. What kind of insulation for water supply pipes to choose and according to what rules? But first of all it is necessary to understand the purpose for which they still need to be insulated.

Anti-freeze protection

The most dangerous thing that can happen to the pipes of water supply is their freezing. To prevent this, the pipelines try to lay below the depth of freezing, but this does not always save. So it is necessary to insulate the pipes before stacking. Such a decision will also reduce the heat loss on the road, so that in our homes it is always warm. A heater for water pipes must also protect the pipe from the condensate that forms on it.

Properties of materials

Modern manufacturers offer a huge selection of materials that can be used to insulate pipes. Whatever option you choose, remember that they must meet a number of conditions, namely:

• Low thermal conductivity;
• Waterproof (due to too much moisture, the thermal insulation properties will become worse);
• durability;
• Fire resistance;
• Biological stability.

Choosing a heater for water pipes in the ground, remember that you need to take into account a number of additional requirements: first, the pipeline must be resistant to mechanical stress, secondly, not to be subjected to electrical corrosion, and thirdly, the possibility of secondary use should remain. Let's consider the materials most popular for insulation of pipes.

Glass wool

One of the most popular insulation materials is glass wool. It is advisable to use it for finishing pipes made of metal-plastic. Advantages of this material include price accessibility and low density, but it is necessary to use external insulators in the form of roll materials - fiberglass or roofing material. This, in turn, will affect the cost of installation. These heaters for pipes of water supply under the ground are simple in packing and durable in use.

The process itself involves winding the pipe with roll material. Under the underground arrangement, closed concrete trays are arranged. The most popular among users of glass wool brands such as Isover, Knauf Insulation.

Energoflex

Modern and easy-to-use material Energoflex attracts attention with the quality of technical thermal insulation. It is available in the form of sheets and tubes, suitable for finishing pipes of different purposes. Insulation for pipes of water supply "Energoflex" draws attention to resistance to aggressive environments, high strength, resistance to moisture and long life. The use of the material makes it possible to reduce heat losses, noise and protect the outer surface of the pipe from corrosion and condensation.

Material, foamed polyethylene, has a cellular structure, so it has good operational properties. Insulation for pipes of water supply "Energoflex" is available not only in the form of a roll, but also as a self-adhesive reinforced tape.

Styrofoam

Warming with extruded polystyrene is one of the most effective and simple solutions. The structure of the material is a set of closed cells, it is available in the form of plates or a shell of a penoplex. As an external coating, reinforced fiberglass or a polymer-cement coating can be used. Easy-to-use insulation for pipes of water supply is polystyrene foam in the form of half-cylinders (shell), which are produced in length of one meter and differ in thickness and diameter. To their peculiarities can be attributed ease of installation and dismantling, the possibility of repeated use, resistance to corrosion and easy access to pipes in the event of repair. Installation of such material is carried out by ties or twists. But there are disadvantages to EPS, the most obvious ones are high cost and attractiveness for rodents.

Foamed polyethylene

Polyethylene foam is a good insulating material for pipes laid in the ground and outside. This insulation for water supply pipes has such features as ease of use, chemical inertness, ecological cleanness, resistance to rotting and burning, durability. Available in the form of tubes or rolls, so you can choose the most convenient method of installation. The technology of insulation involves pulling a heater on the pipe, like a sock; If the pipes are too large in diameter, they are wrapped in polyethylene foam.

Foamed rubber

Foamed rubber is another insulation for water supply pipes. The characteristics of this material attract the attention of many. So, we can note its practicality and the basis - natural or combined rubber. Today, many brands offer this versatile material. So, the company Thermaflex produces foamed rubber based on foam polyethylene with a fine-mesh structure. The distinctive features include significant resistance to moisture, low thermal conductivity, long term use.

No less popular is the rubber brand Tubolit, which attracts unique production technology, due to which the strength of the material becomes higher. Reliable protection against mechanical influences, chemical and aggressive environments makes the use of this thermal insulation under adverse conditions optimal. The installation of the material is simple and convenient, therefore it is possible to cope with it independently: to the cleaned pipes the foamed rubber plates are glued. Mount them with the help of hangers and clips.

Or liquid?

Modern liquid insulation for pipes is convenient. They are good in that they fill all the gaps, which ensures tightness and density of joints. On such a heater for the water supply pipe the price will be higher, but it is much easier and faster to use it. On average, the cost of the cheapest insulation material is from 400 rubles per package. Liquid heaters are consumed more, so more material is needed. The cost of heaters on a liquid basis starts on average from 500 rubles per liter. Such heaters work as follows: their ingredients, when mixed with air, form a fine dispersion aerosol, which is applied already on the surface of the pipe. In just a few seconds the material increases in size, and the layer becomes thick. This is sufficient to provide a reliable barrier to heat loss. Liquid heat insulators are characterized by durability, ease of application and uniformity of the finished layer.

Popular Liquid Heaters

The innovative material today is "Aerogel", the characteristics of which inspire confidence. In structure it is a gel-like composition of low density, solid, heat-resistant, with low thermal conductivity and water absorption. It is absolutely safe for health and is considered a good insulator, especially when pipes are to be protected from high temperatures.

Popular and penoizol, which meets the conditions of durability, environmental friendliness, incombustibility, has a breathing structure, low density and complete sound absorption. Liquid type of foam is good in that it can fill all the voids and technological holes, thus ensuring high-quality insulation. The application of the material is carried out by filling with layers, as a result of which a monolithic layer of insulation is formed.

"AstraTech" - another popular insulation for water pipes, which is a homogeneous liquid suspension of high thermal resistance, eco-friendly, with excellent reflectivity.

Warming of cold water pipes

For these purposes, it is advisable to use ready-made forms for pipes of different diameters, sheets of mineral wool, foam or basalt fiber. Heaters for cold water pipes, in addition to the main function, must protect the pipes from condensation.

Whichever way you choose to insulate the water pipes, remember that two factors must be taken into account:

1. The location of the insulated pipes.
2. Convenience and ease of installation.

A good insulation must meet a number of operational properties, so that the pipeline is under reliable protection throughout the year, regardless of temperature changes. And a huge selection of manufacturers offering their products, will help you choose the best option.