When it comes to health and safety exposed metal pipework can reach highly extreme temperatures of hot or of cold. Insulating these pipes means that people are less likely to injure or hurt themselves if they were to come into contact with these pipes. So by adding lagging this can reduce those risks.
Lagging pipe refers to the process of insulating pipes using materials that reduce heat loss or gain, as well as minimise noise transmission. The insulation material, often called "pipe lagging," wraps around the pipe to provide thermal and acoustic protection.
Pipe lagging, also known as pipe insulation, is a cover placed around pipes to reduce noise emissions that escape through the pipe wall (break-out noise). It can also keep pipes hot or cold or reduce condensation.
The most important lagging in unheated areas of your home is for the cold-water pipes which can normally be found in your garage or in your attic or loft. These are the areas where they are mora than likely to freeze up and potentially burst.
It has become expensive, can still corrode based on pH levels of water, and in cold climates, frozen water can cause copper pipes to burst. PEX installs quickly, which significantly reduces labor costs.
Copper is usually preferred for water supply lines and heating systems but plex is most often used for drain or waste lines because copper corrodes over time. Ultimately, it's up to the homeowner to decide where to spend the construction budget.
Disadvantages of Copper Pipes
Copper piping is expensive. It can cost 10 to 15 times more when compared to other types of pipes. Copper may also freeze easily. If your home runs on well water, copper pipes could have problems if the water is acidic.
Pipe lagging reduces the risk of pipe ruptures. Copper pipes, for example, can get extremely hot or cold, which can cause a pipe to burst especially in winter if freezing temperatures occur in unheated spaces. Acoustic Pipe Insulation is a soundproofing technique for pipes that helps to control and reduce noise.
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, has a chemical structure that gives it flexibility to withstand pressure increases and perform better in the winter. If water freezes in the pipe, for example, PEX will expand to accommodate the change. Then it will contract back to original dimensions once thawed.
Lagging or insulating your pipes with cheap foam tubing is simple and can help prevent your pipes from freezing.
For instance, Armaflex Nitrile Rubber Black Pipe Lagging is renowned for its excellent thermal conductivity and moisture resistance, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Pipe freezing, in the hands of professional plumbers, provides a remarkably effective and efficient solution for emergency repairs and maintenance. By employing specialized equipment and techniques, they can temporarily halt the flow of water, preventing further damage and significantly reducing repair costs.
Your plumbing pipes and plumbing fixtures will survive when you're away from home. The bigger concern is making sure everything is cleaned out thoroughly if it's been unused for months. If your plumbing has not been used for some time, the first step is to always flush out the pipes.
Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2°F–4°F hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing you to lower your water temperature setting. You also won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps conserve water.
Insulate your pipes with some type of foam or nitrile rubber pipe lagging, as this will help keep the air surrounding them warm, preventing condensation. Foil-faced mineral wool or fibreglass pipe insulation also help reduce condensation on pipes.
Cut the pipe to the required length, then split it open on one side lengthways where the lagging should be pre-cut for you. Open the lagging and clip it around the pipe and make it nice and snug. When you come to a 45% angle just cut the lagging at an angle to make a good fit.
No matter what type of pipes you have in the property, plastic or copper, they will freeze and burst if there is water inside them.
Yes, copper pipes can freeze, crack, and burst in cold weather. In fact, of all piping types used for plumbing, copper pipes burst most easily when frozen. This is because copper conducts energy and loses heat more quickly than other types of plumbing.
However, copper pipes are thin-walled and tend to lose heat rapidly, thus reaching the freezing point more quickly.
Its popularity soared after lead pipes became obsolete due to their unsafe nature. Today, plumbers still install copper pipes quite regularly, but you have a wide variety of other materials to choose from, too. PVC and PEX are both common and tend to be more affordable than copper.
Lagging your pipes can help to: prevent freezing and bursting. prevent heat loss and save energy. save money on your energy bills.
As the water expands due to freezing, it puts pressure on the walls of the copper pipe which increases until it eventually bursts. To prevent this from happening, homeowners should take steps such as insulating their pipes or keeping them warm with a heat source in order to avoid bursting.
The major reason for the rise of alternative piping is cost. Copper plumbing piping is more expensive than plastic piping, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). The latter is quickly becoming a standard in many residential applications for its strength and flexibility.
PEX pipe is not only cheaper than copper but more durable too. PEX is immune to corrosion and mineral build-up, and it's not affected by electrolysis, which can cause small pinhole leaks in copper piping.
Properly installed copper pipes last 50 to 70 years on average, while PEX lasts 25 to 50 years.