Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Aug 12, 2007 10:00pm | #1

   Foam is better than fiberglass because moisture and sweating will saturate fiberglass.

1. 
   reinvent | Aug 12, 2007 10:29pm | #2

   Wrong! If the pipes are insulated they can not sweat and if it is a heat pipe it will not sweat anyway.

   Edited 8/12/2007 3:29 pm ET by reinvent

1. 
   WayneL5 | Aug 13, 2007 03:51am | #7

   Pipes that are insulated certainly can sweat.  The metal surface of the pipe can pick up condensation that diffuses through the fiberglass.  If the fiberglass were jacketed with a completely vapor proof covering and all the seams were sealed, then moisture could not get in, but almost no one will cover over fiberglass with an impermeable cover and seal up all the joints and ends sufficiently to keep moisture out.  As more and more moisture builds up the insulation cools further and the problem accelerates.

2. 
   reinvent | Aug 12, 2007 10:31pm | #3

   What is the galvi pipe carrying? If it is steam you have to use FG, the foam will melt. Otherwise your choice. FG has better R value BTW

3. 
   DanH | Aug 12, 2007 11:11pm | #4

   Foam is more readily available and easier to deal with. Can't handle steam, of course.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
4. 
   plumbbill | Aug 12, 2007 11:33pm | #5

   Remember that all insulation is a time delay.

   If it is a cold water pipe in an unheated space eventually it will freeze if the temps drop below freezing for long enough.

   Insulating HW pipes is to keep the heat in the pipe.

   R-4 is UPC minimum ( 1/2")

   If your in a sub zero climate I would heat trace all pipes in an unheated space & use 1" thick insulation.

   The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.

   -- Albert Einstein

1. 
   bigbossman | Aug 13, 2007 01:40am | #6

   Ok so with the available foam wrap since there are different colors is that just for looks or is it for R value? 

   Is there one brand better than another?

    

1. 
   plumbbill | Aug 13, 2007 08:57am | #8

   I only use a couple of brands of foam type insulations----- rubitex, & armaflex.

   I haven't seen any color designations.

   Rubitex makes better bends, & armaflex holds up better in direct bury applications.

   The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.

   -- Albert Einstein