Insulating pipes in loft.

[Phil473]

I'm considering insulating the water pipes in the loft, so checked a few videos and articles as you do.

The advice from B and Q was what I was considering...

https://www.diy.com/ideas-advice/how-to-insulate-water-pipes/PROD_npcart_100502.art

I then came acros this video.

He's saying something interesting, you should never put insulation between the water pipes and the heated surface. He suggests that all around foam lagging, actually can prevent heat from the home reaching the pipes. Instead, he simply build a tent from the loft insulation and places that over the pipes. That seems to make sense.

Thoughts?

 

[robinbanks]

Sure. If you have space to bring the pipes into the heated envelope of the house by moving the envelope, go for it

 

[Phil473]

Thank you.

If the pipe has insulation beneath it, but not on top, would a quick and easy solution be to just insulate the exposed part of the pipe?

We've had the house a decade with no freezing pipes, so I wouldn't want to separate the pipe from the heat that it has been receiving by adding insulation between the pipe and loft insulation. What I'm thinking is to just insulate the exposed pipe, as an additional precuation.

I'm thinking of just cutting strips of loft insulation and taping them on top, or just placing Thermawrap (bubble wrap with silver foil) in strips to the exposed areas of pipe only.

 

[StephenStephen]

Are these hot pipes or cold pipes?

 

[robinbanks]

Thank you.

If the pipe has insulation beneath it, but not on top, would a quick and easy solution be to just insulate the exposed part of the pipe?

Quick and easy would be to pull the insulation back from wherever nearest joint is and then place it back down again but on top of the pipe not under it
Nothing to buy, or carry into the loft

We've had the house a decade with no freezing pipes

Maybe you've never taken a ski holiday for 3 weeks over Xmas

I wouldn't want to separate the pipe from the heat that it has been receiving by adding insulation between the pipe and loft insulation

Didn't understand this; you're thinking to wedge more insulation under the pipe in addition to the insulation already under the pipe, and leave the top uninsulated?

What I'm thinking is to just insulate the exposed pipe, as an additional precuation.

Sure, but rearranging the existing insulation to be a continuous layer that is on top of the pipes would be better

I'm thinking of just cutting strips of loft insulation and taping them on top

Glass wool isn't really something you "tape"
Dedicated pipe insulation exists; consider Armaflex rather than climaflex

or just placing Thermawrap (bubble wrap with silver foil)

Marginally better than nothing, but one of the most ineffective insulating materials you can buy. If you're wanting to approach the job properly and make a decent upgrade, buy large rolls of wool and add all over the loft if the existing wool has a depth of less than 300mm

 

[Phil473]

Had a trip up to the loft tonight, its around -1C outside but the loft is definitly above freezing.

Its partially boarded so if there are any pipes up there, they'd be under the boards and above/within the insulation. However, there are no pipes above the bathroom, with the exception of one which I've attached.



Here's the other end of it...



I'm a novice, but I'm guessing it was for an old tank now removed? It seems to be weeping slightly, so the inside of it was slightly wet. You can just about see it here....



Quite coroded, so the small leak may have been happening for sometime. No damp underneath. I've placed paper under it, will check it again tomorrow.
Am I correct in saying that the pipe may be connected to the plumbing system still? Have placed bits of loft insualtion over it.

Thank you.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Those are not water carrying pipes.

Andy

 

[Phil473]

Should have mentioned, it goes into the loft floor.

If not a water pipe, what would it have been used for and why would it be damp?
Thanks.

 

[Razor900]

Should have mentioned, it goes into the loft floor.

If not a water pipe, what would it have been used for and why would it be damp?
Thanks.

It's old electrical conduit

 

[Phil473]

It's old electrical conduit

Thanks, yes that would explain the wire on one end.


The internal damp on the other end is a a mystery though, and I don't like mysteries when it comes to damp.

No other damp in loft, I checked old pipes, inside of tiles, rafters. Nothing apart from that one spot. Weird. Plumber coming Friday, I'll get him to have look for my peace of mind.

 

[robinbanks]

Could be condensation, if there is a draught somewhere that is causing warmer moister air to be drawn into the conduit

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Quite coroded, so the small leak may have been happening for sometime. No damp underneath. I've placed paper under it, will check it again tomorrow.
Am I correct in saying that the pipe may be connected to the plumbing system still? Have placed bits of loft insualtion over it.

Those, are not water pipes - they are old electrical conduits. Hopefully, the original wiring has been replaced by now, with PVC, so they are redundant.

 

[Phil473]

Could be condensation, if there is a draught somewhere that is causing warmer moister air to be drawn into the conduit

Yes, this seems like the logical explanation.

 

[Phil473]

Those, are not water pipes - they are old electrical conduits. Hopefully, the original wiring has been replaced by now, with PVC, so they are redundant.

Have had a couple of EICR electrical inspection this past decade, they were up there making sure everything ok.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Have had a couple of EICR electrical inspection this past decade, they were up there making sure everything ok.

If you feel so inclined, you can remove the rusty old electrical grip conduits. Just undo the screw clamp, and out they come. The cable inside, will be TRS - rubber, over covered with cotton, then waxed, dating back to before the 1960's.