Heat tapes

[brepanshek]

Any comments on finding heat tapes on pvc water lines? I inspected a modular home that was on blocks and skirting around base of home to stop drafting underneath home, water line to outdoor hose bib was wrapped with a heat tape and then pipe insulation over that. It was then plugged into an extention cord that ran about 20' to and exterior outlet. I once heard heat tapes are not good for pvc pipes. Give me your thoughts, sorry no pics didn't have camera with me.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I have no idea what you're talking about. "A waterline from a hose bib plugged into a receptacle?"

That doesn't sit right, regardless of what kind of tape is used.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jpope

I have no idea what you're talking about. "A waterline from a hose bib plugged into a receptacle?"

That doesn't sit right, regardless of what kind of tape is used.

Jeff, have you lived where it gets very cold?

This is not uncommon under a mobile home even with skirting though I'm not sure about the heat tape being used on pvc pipe. The heat tape mfg. application guide should be consulted.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Jeff, have you lived where it gets very cold?

No I haven't (55 is cold to me). Can you explain to me what he's referring to?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Oh, heat tapes, now I've got it.

I was thinking tape. Like foil tape

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jpope

No I haven't (55 is cold to me). Can you explain to me what he's referring to?

Sure. It really does get as cold as -30 F here. It's brutal.



More info here: http://www.mygreathome.com/fix-it_guide/heat_tape.htm

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Got it Mike, thanks. It just took me a minute to. . uh. . warm up

[Carmine Fuoco]

http://www.heatersrus.com/pipe.htm
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5045.html

What I found for you after a very quick search.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by jpope

Got it Mike, thanks. It just took me a minute to. . uh. . warm up

I suppose we could arrange to wrap in heat tape and plug you in for faster warmups

[brepanshek]

Thanks guys for all your help, great links, I copied them and will use them on my reports and to make aware of this to my clients. Thanks again, I am always learning something new here on the message board.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

So... from the link to My Great Home the answer to the original question is...

"If your water supply piping is plastic, ONLY use automatic thermostatically controlled heat tape. Non-automatic heat tapes can damage plastic pipes, especially if the taped pipes are covered with insulation.