How to Use Heat Tape To Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

Installing heat tape on your pipes during the winter can save you hundreds of dollars. This simple step will help protect your exposed pipes during winter and help prevent a pipe from bursting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase more heat tape than you think you need. The last thing you want to realize is that you don't have enough tape when you are almost finished with the job. Measure your exposed pipes and make sure to buy a little bit extra.

2. Place the heat tape around the pipes. You can either lay it in a straight line or you can wrap it like the handle on a baseball bat. If you plan to wrap it, make sure to calculate in enough length to accommodate the wrapping.

3. Protect the heat tape. Even though the tape will protect your pipes form bursting, nothing is protecting the tape itself. It is generally a good idea to protect it with insulation or another suitable material.

4. Plug in the tape. Make sure to use the tape only when you need to. If the temperature is above freezing then you can unplug your heat tape.