Heated water pipes - To stop burst pipes in attic

AlanConnolly · 23-06-2011 08:46PM #1

Hi guys n gals,...

I have an idea in my head in relation to protecting water pipes in the attic from freezing / bursting.

Firstly, plumbing / electrics in not my background. I am an insulation installer. There have been 1000's of properties ruined last winter due to burst pipes in the attic. When an attic is properly insulated, the house will stay warmer, but attic gets coinsiderably colder..... This can lead to burst pipes.... (Irrespective of what type insulation is put on the pipes)

My idea is as follows...

Is it possible to stick a heated wire / strip to the pipes (and or water tanks) that are thermostatically controlled so that when the temp in attic drops below (say) 1 deg, that the heating element turns on and physically heats the pipe, thus removing the possability of burst pipes.

So, can anyone point me in the direction of materials required for a job like this.

Regards,

Alan

Ronin247 · 23-06-2011 10:40PM

What you are looking for is "trace heating".

Quick google gives you companies such ashttp://www.heattracingsystems.ie/principles.html

paddy147 · 23-06-2011 10:56PM

probably cheaper and easier to insulate the attic and pipes in the 1st place.

And buy a frost watcher heater too.

DoneDL · 24-06-2011 09:15AM

paddy147 wrote: »

probably cheaper and easier to insulate the attic and pipes in the 1st place.

And buy a frost watcher heater too.

+1, one inch pipe insulation on pipework cut well and tape joins, electric fan heater which needs checking and cleaning anually.

LK10 · 21-11-2011 10:44PM

This product may be what you are looking for, it's a heat cable with a built in thermostat.

http://www.nomorefreeze.ie/

Glynn1972 · 03-01-2012 06:16PM

paddy147 wrote: »

probably cheaper and easier to insulate the attic and pipes in the 1st place.

And buy a frost watcher heater too.

<snip> Banned for spamming

Heated water pipes - To stop burst pipes in attic

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