How to Install Heated Electrical Tape on Water Pipes
Heated electrical tape, often simply called heat tape, contains thin electrical wires. A thermostat allows you to set the tape to a temperature higher than the surrounding air. These wires produce heat, thus preventing plumbing pipes from freezing due to cold winter temperatures. Homeowners should install heated tape on all exterior pipes, such as those in a crawlspace, and those in unheated parts of the home, such as in a basement. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Heat tape
- Electrical tape
- Waterproof insulated pipe jacket
- Utility knife
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the entire length of the pipe with a tape measure, then measure from the end of the pipe to the nearest three-prong electrical outlet and add the two numbers together. For standard 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch pipes, you need a minimum of 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 feet of tape for every 1 foot of pipe length.
-
2
Insert the heat tape's plug into the three-prong electrical outlet. Stretch the tape out to the start of the pipe and lay it down. Walk back to the plug and remove it from the outlet, but do not shift the tape out of position
-
-
3
Wrap the heat tape around the pipe in a looping fashion, making sure not to overlap any part of the tape, which is a fire hazard. In general, space the loops so each one is approximately 1 inch apart, or the distance specified on the packaging.
-
4
Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the pipe. Then go back and wrap 2- to 3-inch long pieces of electrical tape around the pipe at 4- to 5-inch intervals to hold the heat tape securely in place.
-
5
Lay a piece of foam pipe insulation on the ground and measure the length of the pipe. Do not include the distance between the pipe and the electrical outlet. Cut through the insulation at this location with a utility knife.
-
6
Locate the slit along one side of the insulation and hold it open with your hands. Slide it over one end of the pipe and then release it so it closes over the pipe. Continue working your way down the pipe until all of the heat tape and pipe is covered in the foam insulation.
-
7
Walk back to the electrical outlet and plug the heat tape plug into it.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Never install heat tape over pipes that are leaking water.
Never plug the heat tape plug into a two-prong outlet. Three-prong outlets are the only safe ones to use.
There are different heat tapes for metal pipes and PVC pipes. These varieties are not interchangeable; fires and pipe damage may result from using the wrong tape.
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
