Thermal insulation of external pipelines, choice of material

It happens that in private houses the boiler is installed in a separate room, and part of the pipeline runs outside. And here the problem arises of delivering heat to the house without large losses. To reduce heat loss, it is necessary to take care of insulating pipes, regardless of their location: in the air or underground.

If this is not done, the system will lose up to 20 - 25% of heat, and this is in the best case, and in the worst case, defrosting and damage to the system will occur. Insulated heating sections located outside will deliver more heat to the house and will be protected from temperature changes, mechanical damage and corrosion.

How to insulate heating pipes with your own hands

Sequence of actions in the form of step-by-step instructions:
calculation and purchase of thermal insulation material;

wrapping the pipe with foil tape or foil. The foil acts as a heat reflector;

installing insulation around the pipe. Sectional hard (casing) or soft insulation is simply “put on” the pipe. As for soft materials, they need to be cut into pieces equal in width to the diameter of the pipe. Next, wrap it around the pipe and secure it with tape, wire or plastic clamps. Hard insulation is the hardest part. From it you need to create a box around the pipe (or use pipe shells of the appropriate diameter);

inspect the insulated pipe for the presence of “cold bridges” and eliminate them;

secure the heat-insulating material to the pipe using plumbing or metallized tape;

if necessary, cover the heat-insulating material with protective material (film) and seal the joints with tape.

The costs of insulating heating pipes, despite their initial value, are quickly recouped by saving on bills for heating the house.

Insulation of water supply pipes in a private house is an important step in creating a comfortable microclimate and reducing the cost of heating premises in private and apartment buildings. In this article we will consider the insulation requirements for polypropylene pipes and whether it is necessary to insulate heating and plumbing.

In private houses, communications have two vulnerable areas for freezing. These areas are located on the street when laying communications from the well to the house or in an unheated basement. If you have not insulated the basement, then it is necessary to protect the pipes in the basement of a private house from heat loss. Let's look at how and how to insulate communications on our own, and tell you what materials to use.

Is it necessary to insulate polypropylene pipes in a private house? If you didn’t do this during construction, then protecting communications from heat loss is simply necessary. If a country house is rarely used in winter, then communications may freeze, regardless of what material is used for the water supply pipe - metal-plastic, HDPE or galvanized steel.

How to insulate pipes in a private house with your own hands

When a cold water pipe enters a warm room, condensation will always form on it. If the pipe is insulated, you will protect the room from possible dampness. Heating at home also requires thermal insulation, so as not to waste excess heat in a given room, but to redirect it as much as possible to living spaces, reducing your heating costs.

How to place a heating pipe on the street?

During the construction process, situations arise when the heating system is not only fixed inside the house, but also needs to be brought to other buildings. In such a situation, the task arises of insulating heating pipes on the street with your own hands. This is not the only case. It is possible to connect housing to a heating main running past, as well as connect to a nearby boiler house. There are two ways to install pipes: open and underground.

If the pipeline is made of steel, then it is worth preparing the surface using anti-corrosion compounds and more. But modern craftsmen prefer to use polypropylene. Its service life is quite long.

How to insulate outdoor heating pipes with your own hands

To choose the right pipe insulation, you need to know what types of thermal insulation for heating pipes exist, and what are the features of each of them.

By installation method:

rigid sheet insulation. These include: polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. Despite the high thermal insulation properties, the installation of such insulation is quite complicated from the point of view of ensuring the tightness of the insulation;

roll insulation. These include: polyethylene (used as an additional component of insulation), foil penofol, wool (mineral and glass wool). The use of rolled materials requires the arrangement of their reliable fastening to the pipe;

segmental (shell) insulation. There are two types of such insulation: hard - shells made of polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam (PPU) or polystyrene foam, and soft - polymer pipes. The advantage of segment materials is that they hold their shape well, are easy to install and provide the required level of tightness between the heat-insulating material and the heating pipe;

sprayed insulation, incl. thermal paint. Penoizol has proven itself to be an excellent sprayer, as it allows you to insulate even small cracks. Thermal paint has the same property. The only disadvantage of these materials is that they are quite expensive and applying them yourself is problematic.

By type of insulation:

polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. They have the best characteristics in terms of maintaining the original temperature of the coolant. Their use in the form of a shell simplifies installation and provides reliable protection of the system;

wool (mineral, glass wool). Can be used as a roll or sectional material. Regardless of the type and configuration, cotton wool insulation for heating pipes has a significant drawback, which is that cotton wool is hygroscopic. Those. it needs additional protection from moisture. When wet, cotton wool loses its properties. Therefore, sections often have additional protection in the form of a foil layer. But cotton wool is great for insulating pipes in the basement or attic.

foil penofol. Due to its small thickness, it is used primarily for insulating pipes indoors.

foamed polyethylene – (EPE, PPE) polyethylene foam for pipes.

Insulating materials for pipes

Modern industry has mastered the production of ready-made water pipes in an insulating shell, which is covered with a layer of waterproofing on top. When using piped water supply at home, in most cases you will have to do the insulation yourself, deciding how best to insulate the water pipe underground by choosing one of the methods below.

Sprayed insulation (PPU)

A method rarely used in everyday life consists of thermal insulation of a pipeline by spraying polyurethane onto its surface. The advantages of the method are that it provides 100% tightness and allows you to adjust the thickness of the fill; the disadvantages include the very high cost of the material and the work performed.

In addition to polyurethane, the insulating shell is made of liquid foam, the cost of which is lower than polyurethane spraying.

Rice. 5 Thermal insulation by spraying polyurethane and foam

Thermal insulation paint

One of the high-tech products, it is a thick acrylic-based mass containing the smallest particles of perlite, fiberglass, foam glass and glass-ceramic microgranules with a vacuum and a thermal conductivity of 0.00083 W/(m*K), providing basic thermal insulation.

Rice. 6 Thermal insulation of water supply pipes with paint

Typically, paint is applied to the surface in a layer of up to 4 mm, replacing insulation with a thickness of several tens of millimeters. Thermal insulation paint is supplied in special containers, has the form of a white or gray paste, which can be tinted; to thermally insulate sections or the entire pipeline, it is applied with a brush or by spraying. The advantages of using thermal insulation paint are:

• High degree of adhesiveness, allowing paint to be applied to steel and plastic surfaces with good adhesion.
• Possibility of effective operation in a wide temperature range from -70 to +260 C.
• Insulating a water pipe in the ground with paint reliably protects it from corrosion - this is a big advantage when using steel water pipes on a site.
• The material has a long service life, reaching up to 15 years; the possibility of painting it in various colors allows you to use paint on open pipes indoors, choosing a color that does not disturb the interior.
• According to the manufacturer, heat-insulating paint has the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient of all insulation, equal to 0.0012 W/(m*K). Air has a thermal conductivity of 0.023 – 0.026 W/(m*K). Some experts accuse the manufacturer of deceiving the consumer and indicate other figures in their calculations - 0.0698 W./(m.*K.).

Foamed polyethylene

Foil foamed polyethylene
This is a flexible insulation that is produced in the form of pipes of various sizes, with a cut in the middle (this is done for ease of installation).

When insulating a pipeline with this material, pieces of insulation are applied to the pipes along the entire length and secured with construction tape. The joints or pipe connections must be covered with insulation of a thicker diameter. Therefore, before starting work, you need to approximately calculate the required amount of insulation of different sizes.

This brand of insulation is very convenient; it can be easily cut, and the remaining pieces can be used elsewhere, making one long part from several pieces.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene for pipes
This insulation is made in the form of two shells of different sizes; they are fastened together using special grooves, but for a reliable connection they must be additionally secured with special glue or tape.

When connecting on pipes, the halves of the insulation are connected to each other and the two parts are shifted in different directions by several centimeters. The next link is also connected, and the remaining ends are joined together, resulting in a kind of “overlap” of one connection onto another, which provides a better bond.

To insulate awkward areas and corners, shaped shells that have unequal dimensions are used.

In order to carry out high-quality insulation with this material, you need to calculate in advance the length of the pipeline, the number of joints and bends. This is necessary to purchase the required number of connecting parts.

What to consider when performing thermal insulation

Before you begin insulating a structure located in the basement of an apartment building, you should understand the basic requirements in order to get the expected result and avoid numerous problems.

• Maximum service life.
• Self-extinguishing ability.
• Availability of water-repellent properties.
• Easy to install.
• Low cost.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Low thermal conductivity.

Thermal insulation in an apartment building

Which materials are preferable?

Today, the variety of materials with which you can easily and quickly insulate water supply in the basement is impressive.

Among the effective and most popular are the following:

Mineral wool

Elements made on the basis of mineral wool will cope with temperature changes. With its help, you can insulate not only pipes in the basement of an apartment building, but also those located outside or in the ground. You can see what mineral wool looks like in the photo below.

Polyurethane foam

Ideal for insulating basement water pipes and attics. In essence, it is the outer shell of the water supply system. This design minimizes heat loss and adds strength. This heat insulator is not afraid of chemical influences and does not rot. But it has one drawback - high cost.

Expanded polystyrene

This material is characterized by a high level of rigidity. Expanded polystyrene insulation is sold in the form of a part of a pipe that has protrusions for fastening.

This heat insulator is best suited for internal insulation of a heating system.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam is good for insulating heating and water supply systems on ground and basement floors. Has a low level of moisture absorption. Foam plastic is also very durable and can be used for more than two decades.

Foam rubber

The heat insulator has a number of advantages. It is elastic, temperature resistant and not afraid of fire. Due to the fact that it is fire resistant, it is suitable for insulating external pipelines.

Liquid heat insulator

High-quality material that can compete on an equal footing with others. For example, one layer of paint can replace a 5-centimeter layer of polyurethane. In addition to its insulating properties, liquid thermal insulation can protect metal from corrosion and give pipes a good appearance. But it is not used for thermal insulation of plastic pipes.

Regardless of the material you choose, the main thing is that the insulation is effective and there are no problems with tearing or other damage on cold days. More detailed instructions for installing a particular heat insulator can be viewed in the video on the Internet. It is worth noting that working with insulation is not difficult; you can easily do it yourself.

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Hello. Today I want to talk about how to insulate heating pipes inside and outside construction sites with my own hands.

. The topic is of considerable interest, since proper thermal insulation can reduce the level of heat loss when transporting coolant from the thermogenerator to the heating device. I hope you find the instructions in this article interesting and useful.

Main types of heat insulators

The choice of insulator is influenced by climatic conditions, budget and specific needs of the buyer. The best option for tubular and roll thermal insulators is selected based on these criteria.

Mineral wool

Insulation of pipes using foamed polyethylene and mineral wool
Mineral wool is a popular material for insulation. It has good durability and practicality.

There are several types of mineral wool:

• Made from basalt. It is highly resistant to heat (up to 600°C). Does not enter into a chemical reaction with pipes, does not emit harmful substances when heated.
• Fiberglass. The base is quartz sand. Used only for external finishing of external pipes. There are temperature restrictions - up to 200°C.

Mineral wool has a high percentage of moisture absorption, which reduces its insulating properties. To avoid this, waterproofing must be used. Roofing felt is used as a waterproofing material, the sheets of which are wrapped around the highway. This is the simplest and most convenient method of insulation. Rolled mineral wool is purchased for pipes.

Popular brands of materials include Energoflex, Jermaflex, Vilaterm and others.

Styrofoam

For the external finishing of pipes, specially shaped foam is produced that follows the geometry of the pipeline. The most common form is a ring consisting of two parts. The material almost does not absorb moisture, but additional waterproofing is still required. The rigid foam shell adheres well to the pipe. Available in gray and blue.

Foam insulation

Foam rubber insulation

For the manufacture of such insulation, the following are used:

• rubber;
• expanded polystyrene;
• polyurethane.

The insulation is made in the form of a cover, which has a cut for easy installation. This cut needs to be glued after installation to prevent moisture from getting inside.

Reflective pipe wrap

Foil insulation for pipes

Penofol is used for the external reflective winding of street pipes. The principle of operation is to reflect heat from the mirror surface of the insulation. Mineral wool, foam rubber, Porilex and other insulation materials can be used as such materials, which must be covered with foil on top. Fixation is carried out with a strong wire.

The main functions of insulation of pipelines of this type:

• reflection of warm currents;
• wind protection;
• do not allow cold and moisture to pass through.

Thermal insulation paint

Heating main covered with coating insulation based on perlite

The insulation method using heat-insulating paint is highly effective with minimal weight. Only a few millimeters of paint is enough to cover the pipe. Allows you to replace thick layers of other insulation for finishing.

Spray insulation

This is one of the best ways to insulate pipes. The process occurs quickly, the insulation is high-quality and reliable. Due to the absence of seams and joints, the possibility of moisture or wind getting into the pipes is eliminated.

The main disadvantage of this finish is the difficulty of installing insulation of heating pipelines. To work you need some experience and professional tools.

How to insulate pipes in the basement with your own hands

Glass wool

Fiberglass insulation from Isover, Knauf and Ursa. The material is most often used for insulating metal-plastic pipes. A positive characteristic is the low density of the material; its use requires additional insulation using rolled waterproofing materials (fiberglass or roofing felt), which requires additional costs of finance and time.

Basalt insulation

Basalt insulation in the form of cylinders made of basalt fiber. The shape allows the insulation to be installed without the construction of special trays, due to its cylindrical shape, while the cost of the insulation can be high. The top protective layer of waterproofing can be made of foil insulation or glassine.

Foam insulation

Polystyrene foam is the most common material. Expanded polystyrene shells can be used to insulate pipes without an external coating and do not require laying trays. The insulation can be reused many times, and the performance characteristics of expanded polystyrene satisfy all the requirements for insulation of water pipes.

Criteria for choosing insulation for heating pipes

Looking into a hardware store, and even more so into a hypermarket, you can get confused by the abundance of thermal insulation materials. Moreover, this diversity is manifested both in the range of goods and in its cost. When choosing, first of all, you need to focus on the technical characteristics of the material. A good insulation must meet the following requirements:

• low thermal conductivity;
• low water absorption;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• durability;
• ease of installation.

The times when multi-layer pipe insulation was widely used have long since sunk into oblivion, leaving behind well-known pictures with disheveled heating mains. Today, the priority is easy-to-install, practical and neat thermal insulation solutions.

The following materials are mainly used:

• mineral wool;
• stone wool;
• polystyrene foam (penoizol, expanded polystyrene);
• polyethylene (penofol, polyethylene foam);
• artificial rubber;
• heat-insulating paint;

According to the installation method, the following types of pipe insulation are distinguished:

The choice of a specific type of thermal insulation depends on the financial capabilities of the developer, the method of laying pipes and their availability, the temperature of the coolant, and the availability of tools for installation.

Is it necessary to insulate heating pipes and what benefits does it give?

Thermal insulation for heating pipes allows:

reduce heat loss in places where pipes pass along the ground, are mounted by air (ground) or are located in an unheated room;

prevent freezing of the liquid, which is the coolant (freezing is fraught with a pipe break);

reducing the likelihood of corrosion on the surface of the pipe (for metal pipelines);

saving money on heating your home.

Thus, the more reliably the heating system is insulated, the more heat the user will receive (the higher the efficiency), and the less he will have to pay for gas for heating (or for electricity, if an electric boiler).

Due to the fact that the coolant moves through the heating system, the task of pipe insulation is reduced to minimizing heat loss and preventing rupture of the system due to freezing.

A popular solution in this case is the use of thermal insulation materials. This is the most cost-effective and easiest insulation method from the point of view of independent implementation.

Electric heating

You can heat your home with electricity not only by installing a water system. Using electricity to directly heat rooms will be more correct and profitable. There are two options for electric heating:

• electric convectors;
• underfloor heating system;
• infrared long-wave heaters.

Heating with electric convectors

Electric convectors are less profitable compared to water heating, which uses gas as an energy carrier. However, compared to other options, their use will be cost-effective.

In addition, installing such devices is much faster than water radiators, and no pipes are required - only wires and an electrical network capable of withstanding the required power.

"Warm floor"

The use of heated floors will allow you not to use indoor shoes even in the coldest time of the year. Their advantage compared to convectors is more uniform heating of rooms.

However, “warm floors” cannot be used as the main source of heat – but there is no better option for additional heating.

Using infrared heaters

Almost the only disadvantages of using infrared radiation to heat a private home are the discomfort caused by the luminous panel and the low accuracy of power control. At the same time, among its advantages are:

• high heating rate;
• an increase in the temperature not of the air, but of the interior items;
• full automation of the equipment operation process.

Very often, especially in private homes, the heat source is located outside the house. The natural desire of the homeowner is to deliver heat to the house with minimal losses. Regardless of whether the heating main is laid underground or goes through the air, care must be taken to ensure proper thermal insulation of the pipes. Ignoring this measure is fraught with at least a loss of 25% of heat. The worst case scenario is defrosting of the heating system. Let's try to figure out what materials are best to use for thermal insulation of pipelines and how to properly insulate heating pipes on the street.

Who should pay for replacing pipes in the basement - Pravoved.RU

Hello, I live on the first floor, the apartment is divided into three rooms, a hot water pipe in our basement burst (that is, there is no water only in our apartment, there is water in the whole house), the management company says that the residents must replace it themselves. The question is, should we pay money to replace the pipe, or should the management company do it?

Victoria Dymova

Support employee Pravoved.ru

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Indoor insulation

Of course, insulating heating pipes in a house where the coolant must give up its heat is not necessary. But when it comes to unheated rooms, then insulating heating pipes with your own hands is very important. These spaces include basements and attics. There is no water in the basement and there shouldn't be. The insulation layer can only be threatened by increased humidity, which is not significant for materials such as basalt wool, polystyrene foam and polyurethane. Any of the above materials is suitable for insulating heating pipes in the basement, even without the use of additional waterproofing.

Most often, for domestic purposes, covers made of expanded polystyrene foam, popularly called “gray skin,” are used. But due to their high cost, they are often inferior to a cheaper type of insulation - mineral wool. In private houses with open-type heating, some elements of the circuit are located above the ceiling of the heated room. It is very important to provide insulation for the pipes and heating tank in the attic. The location of the latter is explained by the need to place it at the peak point of the contour.

Before insulating heating pipes in the attic, thoroughly familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the material. It must be resistant to heat. In the tank, the temperature of the coolant sometimes reaches the boiling point.

We insulate communications in the basement heating pipes

The problem of insulating communications in the basement, as a rule, is not familiar to ordinary city residents. But it is very often encountered by all those who live outside the city or have a dacha (or private house) for seasonal residence. Insulation of pipelines is not only useful, but also often a necessary measure, protecting the entire building from many potential problems.

Materials for thermal insulation

Today, a variety of materials can be used to reduce heat loss and insulate heating pipes. The choice of one or another heat insulator for basement pipes will depend, first of all, on the specific requirements of the owner of the house, operating conditions and pipe sizes.

There are a huge number of thermal insulation materials on the modern market, but not all of them are suitable for heating pipes.

This point must be taken into account before purchasing this or that thermal insulation material.

Of course, the most common and traditional thermal insulators, which are used everywhere, include fibrous insulation, including mineral wool.

It can be used in a variety of conditions, and almost always the thermal insulation will be quite effective.

Materials based on mineral wool can potentially withstand extremely high temperatures, so they can be used in basements and boiler rooms.

Mineral wool.

What can be identified from the main advantages of this heat insulator?

• high level of resistance to chemicals;
• safety for humans and the environment;
• minimal water absorption (but with serious exposure to water, the insulation will lose its properties);
• small price.

Basalt wool.

Mineral wool, according to experts, is excellent for thermal insulation of external pipelines, as well as heating systems in the basement of a private house.

In recent years, derivative materials have been increasingly used: basalt wool and glass wool, which also have good performance and performance characteristics. Materials of this type are suitable for most country homeowners.

Insulation with polyurethane foam

Recently, more and more people have begun to pay attention to modern heat insulators. And one of the most popular and effective is polyurethane foam (PPU)

This type of material is excellent for pipes and is, in fact, the outer shell for a water pipe (“pipe within a pipe”).

Polyurethane foam significantly reduces heat loss.

This type of design not only minimizes thermal energy loss, but also gives the pipes a high level of strength.

Positive characteristics of polyurethane foam:

• the material does not contain any compounds hazardous to humans;
• high level of resistance to climate impacts;
• increased mechanical strength;
• neutral to electricity and biological influences.

Polyurethane foam insulation materials will not rot or be destroyed by chemical exposure. The only obvious drawback of the material is its high cost. In fact, only this can be considered a reason to refuse thermal insulation from polyurethane foam in the basement of a private house.

Ready-made polyurethane foam shells.

It should be noted that insulating pipes with polyurethane foam is not so easy to do with your own hands, so it is better to hire specialists for this work. In the basement of a private house, the use of polyurethane foam often does not look like a very profitable option: the cost of a single installation (for example, for one or two pipes) will be quite high, so there is no urgent need for it.

Factors affecting heating pipes in the ground

A heating pipe buried in the soil is subject to the same influences as an external pipeline, plus factors caused by deepening:

• internal pressure of the coolant, causing circumferential and elongated tensile stresses in the pipe section;
• temperature of the coolant is a factor, in addition to thermal influence, also causing pipeline stress;
• soil temperature - in winter, taking this into account is very important;
• soil deformations - the pipe is affected by any of its displacements (settlement, shear, etc.);
• pre-bending stress of the pipeline - the ditch profile often follows the local terrain;
• vertical load - the influence of the weight of the ditch backfill layer;
• the resistive action of the soil on the walls and bottom of the pipeline - resistance to vertical load;
• vibration loads - from passing vehicles, excavation work in the neighborhood, etc.;
• moisture – precipitation and groundwater;
• the influence of chemical substances - compounds in the soil and heat carrier;
• biological factor - bacteria, decomposition.

Likewise, laying a pipeline in the soil should be carried out taking into account all the factors listed above and solving the problem of how to make heating pipes in the ground warmer.

Basalt cylinders

Thermal insulation material is a hollow product made of stone basalt wool, having a cylindrical shape. They are available coated with aluminum foil or uncoated. They come in different diameters and thicknesses, 1-1.2 m long. You can find basalt cylinders with a tongue-and-groove lock or an even joint that needs insulation. The material is resistant to aggressive environments, bioresistant, and easy to install. Due to hygroscopicity, it requires insulation.

Are you interested in insulation for heating pipes? Its price will depend on the characteristics and properties of the thermal insulation material. The estimated cost of the most commonly used products on the construction market is as follows:

basalt cylinders – from 50 rubles per linear meter;

polyurethane foam - from 10 rubles per linear meter;

heat-insulating paint – from 230 rubles per 1 liter;

energyflex - 10 rubles per linear meter, and more;

foam shell - 30 rubles per linear meter and more.

Remember that you should not save on thermal insulation material. To ensure that your home is always warm and cozy, use high-quality products from trusted manufacturers.

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Why insulate pipelines

To begin with, let’s take a closer look at whether the material should be used for insulation of heating pipes or for thermal insulation of heating networks, and if necessary, why and where exactly.

The heating system of any building is designed as follows: the air inside the room heats the coolant (water) circulating through pipelines to the radiators.

Giving off its heat through the walls of the pipes, the water returns back to the boiler, which heats it again. This is in general terms.

However, heat transfer is not necessary over the entire length of the pipe. For example, if the boiler room in your house is located far from residential premises (or even in a separate building on the street) that need heating.

During transportation from the boiler to the area requiring heating, the water will lose some of its heat. As a result, more energy (fuel), and therefore more money, will have to be spent on heating the air for living rooms.

Often boiler rooms are located in basements, where the temperature is significantly lower than in a living room. So Energoflex insulation for heating pipes in the basement will give serious results in saving fuel.

But thermal insulation for heating pipes for an apartment is no longer so important and irreplaceable. The only caveat is that insulation of heating risers is important: in this case, more heat will reach the battery

In addition, the pipeline also needs mechanical protection from possible damage. First of all, this concerns areas along the street - it is their isolation that needs to be thought about first of all.

Objectives of thermal insulation material on the street

Each material has its own purpose, which is not just insulation, but also to ensure the safe operation of the entire system. To avoid any difficulties, it is worth analyzing each function and, based on this, make a choice:

• Elimination of heat loss. The main leak occurs when the coolant moves through the pipes. Once in an active environment, the wearer loses its performance. It turns out that the heated water, reaching the radiators, partially reduces its temperature. Depending on the pipe material, the coefficient of heat reaching the end point will be reduced. By creating additional insulation, they prevent heat leakage through walls, air, and pipe material.
• No freezing. Insulating heating pipes outdoors will prevent them from freezing during the cold season. Thus, the coolant will be supplied to the right place with minimal changes in the main indicator.
• Elimination of the formation of water vapor. The creation of condensation on the surface will lead to additional heat loss. By creating a protective barrier, this problem can be easily eliminated.
• Burn protection. Thermal insulation material helps protect against strong thermal influences. When directly touched by a human hand, no serious thermal effects will occur.
• While inside a building, pipes can impact and deform adjacent materials. An additional barrier prevents this.

Insulating heating pipes on the street is one of the first tasks. Otherwise, it will not be possible to deliver heat to the desired room with a positive degree indicator. Thanks to insulation, you can increase the performance of your heating system. The heat transfer from the batteries will be maximum, since the coolant is as hot as it was initially.

How to insulate pipes in a private house

You should think in advance about how to insulate water supply pipes in a private house, how to insulate a columnar foundation, and what thermal insulation material to use for various materials. Requirements for the materials used should take into account the ease of installation of insulation, long service life, water-repellent characteristics, environmental and fire safety of the material.

You should not have any difficulties in your work; anyone can handle this issue. No special skills or special tools are required to insulate pipes. Check out the video instructions at the end of the article on this topic, and you will understand

Insulation of heating pipelines is an important aspect in the creation of energy-saving technologies, and this issue is acute these days.

At the moment, a large number of insulating materials and methods for their optimal use in various industrial fields have been developed.

But energy needs to be used rationally not only in industry, but also in everyday life. Insulating heating lines is not only desirable, but also becomes a vital necessity.

In general, the process of thermal insulation is aimed not only at maintaining the temperature at a stable level, but also at protecting the heat carrier from freezing during cold periods.

Thermal insulation materials are of the following types:

• piece;
• in rolls;
• combined;
• for filling;
• casing

Depending on the technical characteristics and insulation parameters, these materials are used in the following networks:

• ventilation;
• cold and hot water supply;
• technical equipment;
• steam heating.

The choice of protective material must be approached with great responsibility, because it is the key to warmth and comfort in people’s homes.

The types of most effective insulating material are as follows:

1. Thermal insulation paint
   . It is considered one of the achievements of Russian science. One layer of this coating can replace several centimeters of polystyrene foam and mineral wool. At the same time, this material does not harm the environment and is resistant to high temperatures. This type of pipeline insulation is used in difficult production conditions.
2. . This material is characterized by low thermal conductivity and fire resistance. For these reasons, it has found wide application in the protection of heating systems. But, this type of protection refers to expensive building materials.
3. Insulation with polyurethane foam
   . They began to use it for thermal insulation only recently, but they have already appreciated its practicality.
4. Expanded polystyrene
   . This is practically the same pinoplast. This option is affordable and easy to install.
5. . It is a shell shaped like a pipe.

Trenchless methods of pipeline laying

There are technologies for laying a pipeline in the ground without making trenches.

Such methods are aimed at:

• reduce the volume of excavation work - saving time and costs;
• minimize damage to infrastructure - less costs for restoration of decorative and road surfaces, unexpected damage to highways;
• lay pipes in a straight line, without going around obstacles of low complexity;
• minimize damage from excavation work to the environment.

Today, the following trenchless methods are used in industry:

• rehabilitation;
• piercing

Sanitation

- This is the replacement of old pipes with new ones, which, in turn, is done in two ways: relining and the renovation method.

Relining

is based on drawing a new polymer pipe of smaller diameter inside the working pipeline while preserving the old one as a protective shell.

Renovation

– installation of a new pipe to replace the old one, worn out and destroyed, the fragments of which will also protect the new main from external damage.

Piercing (pushing)

- this is the connection of two pits dug to the required depth by a puncture made at a certain height of the wall.

Of the listed methods, we will perform only the relining method in everyday life. A cable is inserted into one end of the old pipe and pushed until it comes out of the other end. Then a new lash is attached to the cable and pulled back. The possibility of using this method depends on a number of factors:

• the condition of the lumen of the old pipeline;
• diameter of the new pipe;
• flexibility of the new whip;
• length of the repaired area;
• ratio of the diameters of the old and new pipeline.

With a favorable combination of the listed factors, the technical execution of installing a new pipe is not difficult. However, all this applies to drawing a new line without thermal insulation, and the condition of the insulation of the old pipe is unlikely to be satisfactory. Since it is not possible to insulate heating pipes inside an old line, the method loses its attractiveness when applied to heating.

Therefore, when installing heating pipelines buried in the ground in private housing, digging a trench or, at a minimum, alternatively laying the pipe on the ground with backfill is indispensable.

Today, according to their design, all heating systems can be divided into many types and types - the classification is very diverse and has many parameters. Among others, the type of wiring is also distinguished.

The layout can be horizontal or vertical. Depending on the chosen type of installation, the composition of the heating circuit may change, but more about everything below.

Heating pipe insulation technology

The choice of pipe thermal insulation and the method of its installation are influenced by the location of the pipeline.

Insulation of heating pipes on the street

External thermal insulation of pipes is the most difficult method of insulation, since in the open air it is not only the pipes that need protection, but also the insulation itself. For outdoor installation, non-hygroscopic materials or other materials are used, but reliably protected from moisture by a film or casing.

In addition, it is advisable to use the densest and thickest insulation outdoors. Another requirement is the use of a material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, bad weather and mechanical damage.

Insulation of heating pipes in an unheated room

Basement, cold attic, boiler room - a feature of such rooms is the absence of heating radiators. But since the pipes are filled with coolant and are located in an environment with minimal humidity, there are no special requirements for either the thermal insulation material or its thickness.

Insulation of heating pipes underground

The specificity of installing heating pipes underground is that they must be laid below the freezing level of the soil, which is a depth of one and a half to two meters. If you do not adhere to this requirement, the coolant will cool greatly while it passes through the heating main located in the ground. In order to reduce heat loss, you need to take care of high-quality insulation of the underground pipeline.

Experts say that the optimal solution in this case would be to use a cable pipe heating system. But due to the high cost, users prefer enhanced thermal insulation of heating pipes.

Good insulation of underground heating pipes requires the following requirements:

insulation of insulation from moisture in the soil;

eliminating the possibility of deformation of the insulation, because in this case, its properties are reduced. This is especially true for soft thermal insulation materials;

According to reviews, the optimal solution is thermal insulation of heating pipes using.

Note. Users recommend using a combined insulation system for pipes that are laid above the ground freezing level, namely: a combination of cotton wool and a hard polyurethane foam shell with a protective fiberglass coating. Ideally, even at the laying stage, use factory multilayer ones.

Advantages and disadvantages of individual insulation materials

All types of insulation have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is worth talking about the pros and cons of insulation separately.

Mineral wool

This is a classic insulation material that occupies a leading position among rolled materials in popularity. And there are several reasons for this:

• high thermal insulation rates;
• resistance to aggressive environments;
• does not rot;
• not afraid of rodents;
• can be used when insulating heating pipes with high coolant temperatures;
• low cost.

The biggest disadvantage of mineral wool is that it is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture. Therefore, when using it, a waterproofing device is required, since if it gets wet, it will lose all its properties.

Penoizol

Unlike rolled materials, using penoizol you can achieve seamless pipeline insulation. The advantages include:

• excellent thermal insulation - 12% higher than that of cotton wool and 8% higher than polystyrene foam;
• no additional fastening or waterproofing required;
• biologically stable (not afraid of rodents and insects).

The main disadvantage is the need for special equipment to apply it.

Expanded polystyrene

The polystyrene foam shell is pressed against the surface of the pipes and secured with tape or clamps. Each section has grooves, thanks to which a tight connection is achieved. Withstands compressive and tensile loads.

But, since the material is hygroscopic and is destroyed under the influence of carbon liquids, it will require the creation of waterproofing. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of installation when turning the main line. To give the insulation the desired shape, you have to trim it.

Polyethylene foam

This is a new generation material. The closed cell structure provides it with such advantages as:

• low thermal conductivity;
• moisture resistance;
• does not rot;
• easy installation.

Available in the form of canvas (may have one or two-sided foil coating) or tubes. Polyethylene foam is cut into strips and wrapped around the pipe. The presence of a foil layer allows you to create additional thermal insulation and a waterproofing layer.

Thermal insulation paint

A relatively young type of thermal insulation. A special formula created by Russian scientists allows you to achieve optimal results even if you apply it in a thin layer. Apply thermal paint with a brush or spray. For hard-to-reach places, this is simply an irreplaceable option. The main disadvantage is the high cost, which is several times higher than the cost of other insulation materials.

As you can see, the choice of material for insulating heating pipes on the street is great. When choosing, the first thing to pay attention to is the characteristics of the material, then the complexity of installation. Last but not least, look at the price. Remember that cheap insulation can quickly become unusable and then the money will be wasted.

Video: Thermal insulation of pipes: comparison of types

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1. Alexander:
   22.11.2016 at 14:42

   I’ve never had to deal with a layout where pipes run along the street, but let’s take these tips into account now! Thanks to the author

Polyurethane foam

This insulation is applied by spraying. A specially prepared composition is sprayed onto the installed pipeline. It reliably adheres to the surface and, when foaming, forms a dense protective mass with high strength.

Due to the fact that this insulation does not tolerate exposure to sunlight, insulation of pipes located in the open air with it must be accompanied by their protection: winding with roofing felt or aluminum foil.

For high-quality insulation of pipes, insulation materials can be combined. For example, in a boiler room and outdoors they can be covered with mineral wool or basalt insulation. And in the house, the connections to the heating radiators are made of foamed polyethylene, which looks more aesthetically pleasing.

Heating pipes with electric cable

Obviously, it is possible to insulate sewer pipes by burying them to a sufficient depth only in external areas. However, there are other areas, located both on the street and in rather poorly heated rooms. For such areas, you can use a special heating electric cable laid along the most important components and connections. The result of the work performed will be constant heating, protecting the sewer system regardless of the weather.

True, this method has a couple of disadvantages. First of all, electricity consumption increases, especially in the case of heating rather long pipelines. There is also a dependence on the operation of electrical networks. Of course, if there is a power outage, the generator will start working, however, this also costs a lot of money.

Thermal insulation for outdoor heating pipes

A variety of insulation materials makes it possible to choose exactly the one that is best suited for a specific location of application (outdoors, in the ground, in the basement, in the attic) and budget.

The selection of a heat insulator is carried out taking into account the following factors:

heating system pipe diameter;

operating conditions (location of the heating system);

average heating temperature of the coolant;

thermal conductivity indicator of insulation (the lower, the better);

water absorption rate. Shows the ability of the insulating material to perform its functions in a humid environment;

resistance to combustion, biological and chemical activity, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental factors;

life time;

ease of installation (provided that sufficient tightness is ensured);

price.

Features of choosing thermal insulation for pipes

Thermal insulation is used both for centralized heating lines and intra-house heating networks in order to reduce heat loss.
When choosing thermal insulation, you need to take into account the diameter of the pipes, the temperature of the coolant and operating conditions. The type of insulator that will be used depends on the diameter of the pipes. These can be hard molded cylinders, half-cylinders, and soft mats in rolls. Insulation of heating pipes of small diameter can be done using cylinders, half-cylinders (equipped with grooves that create convenient and quick installation on the pipes), also using segments made of polymer or mineral wool heat-insulating materials. They have very high thermal resistance. In addition, they have a low degree of water absorption, resistance to mechanical damage and strict geometric dimensions. Let's consider the areas of application of the most popular materials for thermal insulation.

Do I need to protect pipes from the cold?

The coolant that enters the radiators of our apartments arrives at a temperature slightly lower than it was in the boiler room. If the boiler room is located at a distance from the house, this heat loss is even more noticeable. According to statistics, a quarter of the total amount of heat that comes from the boiler room to the radiator is lost along the route of the pipeline. Most of the pipeline is located in the open air and is not always insulated. Heating the street is undesirable for any consumer. Therefore, protecting the pipeline from the cold is a vital necessity.

The warm water that flows inside can protect the pipeline from freezing, but the heat loss is significant. Insulating pipes will help maintain the temperature of the coolant inside the pipe, heat loss will be significantly reduced, and the pipes themselves will be protected from atmospheric influences: temperature and humidity changes. Corrosion processes in insulated pipes will be insignificant, this will lead to long-term use.

It will be especially important to carry out thermal insulation work in areas where the pipeline runs along the street or in basements. Timely insulation will reduce the financial costs of heating an apartment or house.

An insulated pipeline is less susceptible to breakthroughs, therefore, there will be no need to do expensive repair work in winter.

Installing your own boiler room in a multi-storey building will not solve this problem, because the pipeline is located in the basement, where cold air is present, and heat loss is inevitable.

The use of high-quality thermal insulation materials will allow the consumer to obtain a comfortable air temperature in the apartment, regardless of what radiators he has: cast iron, aluminum or bimetallic.

So, the purpose of insulating the heating pipeline is as follows:

• increase the temperature in the consumer’s premises;
• save money on the purchase of this coolant;
• prevent freezing of the pipe and, as a result, repair work;
• protect pipes from adverse environmental influences.

Burying pipes

The first method of deep burying pipes is the oldest and most proven, but it cannot always provide the required level of protection. The bottom line is that the pipeline is laid just below the depth of soil freezing, which is determined by the climatic characteristics of a particular area. In the layer of earth located below the freezing level, the temperature is almost constant.

At first glance, it may seem that at minimal cost you can protect pipes from the cold, but in reality not everything is simple because it is not always possible to achieve the desired depth. There can be many good reasons for this - from the significant labor intensity of the work to the characteristics of the soil.

In some cases, even 1 meter deepening may be problematic. If you need to go even deeper, the complexity of the work will become an order of magnitude higher.

When choosing a method of insulation, do not forget about one more important point. If a sewer breaks down, even if not due to cold weather, its repair will be quite expensive, since in order to identify the defect you will have to first dig up the pipe and then bury it again