Why and with what material will we insulate the pipes?
The pipeline must be protected along the entire length and at all nodes, only in this way it can be kept for a long time in working order. Reduction of heat losses - this reduces the cost of maintaining a house and reducing the burden on nature in the form of reducing fuel consumption. For work, mineral wool with a reflective layer of foil is most often used.
In addition to mineral wool, other materials are used. These are:
- basalt cylinder;
- polyurethane foam;
- expanded polystyrene;
- penoizol;
- foamed polyethylene;
- heat-insulating paint.
To protect pipes in open areas, cylinders made of basalt fiber are often used, and trays for laying are not needed. The protective layer on the cylinders is made of a roofing material or foil-isol.
Consider the options for insulation of pipes
The greatest amount of work requires the insulation of pipes in the ground. We need excavation and insulation, which combines the properties of waterproofing and insulation. The inner and outer shells of the pipe are compared with each other, and the space between them is filled with polyurethane foam. Parts of the system are mounted in place, it remains only to protect the joints. It will not be difficult if you have foam in your hands.
Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene is used very widely, it is known as a shell for the insulation of pipes. This shell is made of two parts with a lock fastening type spike-groove. Diameter can be different, length - 1-2 meters. Polyfoam does not let out heat and does not absorb water, the shelf life is about 50 years.
It is possible to add a covering with fiberglass, foil or tin, but also without coating such insulation can be used everywhere. The "relative" of the foam, foam isole, differs in that it is produced in liquid form. It is applied to any joint pipes and allows the construction of sealed structures.
Thermal insulation is also suitable for heat-sealing of pipelines with the material. It is a foamed polyethylene with closed air pores. They are hollow pipes of various diameters that are put on the pipeline as a cover. The pipe thus isolated can be laid directly into the ground, it is not deformed by the mass of the earth and has a shelf life of more than 50 years.
Innovative method - heat-insulating paint, when insulation is carried out by spraying an aerosol containing ceramic nanoparticles. Such an aerosol penetrates into the smallest cracks and cracks, as well as hard-to-reach places, forming a hermetic coating of an outstanding property.
What should I consider if the insulation is done by hand?
Warming up of communications for the house can be done by oneself. The water and sewer pipes outside the house require protection, they must be isolated especially carefully before the winter. Pipes inside the house need to be insulated to ensure that only radiators are hot, and there was no waste heat loss.
The choice of material depends mainly on finance. A widespread glass wool - Isover, Knauf - requires an additional external insulator in the form of a roofing material or fiberglass, and over time the layer collapses and ceases to perform its functions. Glass wool is not recommended for outdoor insulation, because it will have to be changed in a few years.
Basalt cylinders, expanded polystyrene, thermoflex or heat-insulating paint are excellent for independent work. The shell for reliability in the areas of abutment can be pasted with adhesive tape and disassembled if necessary.
