By post contributors | November 19, 2021 | Commercial

The weather this month reminds us that winter is indeed here.

Temperatures below zero can cause pipelines to freeze and burst, causing huge chaos and expensive repairs. One way to help prevent pipe bursts is to use heating tape, a product that uses electricity to generate heat.

Although it is not sticky, the heating "tape" can be used as a heating pad for exposed pipes. There are two installation methods. The first and less common method is to hardwire the tape to the home's electrical system and have its own circuit breaker. In this case, the tape should be installed by a licensed contractor.

The second installation method uses a heating tape that plugs directly into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) socket. This type of tape usually allows you to control the temperature.

If you are considering installing a heating tape, you should be extra careful. Since it may overheat and cause a fire, do not use heating tape on the pipe behind the wall or ceiling. It can only be used for exposed pipes, such as pipes in your crawl space or outside your home.

Choose the right tape for your pipeline. If you use a tape designed for PVC on metal pipes, it will not work well; if you use a heating tape designed for metal on PVC pipes, it will melt them.

Always buy heating tape backed by a reputable testing laboratory such as UL (Underwriter Laboratories), and do not use damaged or frayed tape, wires or plugs.

Unplug the heating band in the spring.

According to Hunker.com, once you have a tape suitable for the job, installing it is easy:

Clean the pipes. Remove any insulating material and brush off any dirt or spider webs with a hard brush. This is an important step because any dirt on the pipes may smolder or catch fire.

Wrap the tape. Many brands are designed to simply wrap around the pipe, but some require the use of electrical tape for connection. Follow the instructions provided on the package or insert. Avoid crossing/doubling the heating tape when wrapping, as this will create overheated areas.

Insulate the pipeline. After wrapping the heating tape on the pipe, cover the pipe with foam insulation. This prevents heat loss and saves energy. If the pipe is located outdoors or in a location that may be damp, use waterproof insulation materials.

Leave enough slack at the end of the tape to reach the GFCI socket without the need for an extension cord. If the length of the tape is not long enough to cover the entire pipe, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Sometimes, tape "strands" are designed to connect one to another, but before doing so please make sure it is recommended to do so. Some have different lengths.

Let the heating tape work for you. After the tape is inserted, the thermostat monitors the pipe temperature and turns on the heating when needed.

Heating belts are not mandatory for everyone, but if you have experienced freezing of exposed pipes in the past, it may be worth considering.

Since heating tape involves inserting something in an area that may get wet, do not step into a flooded or wet area where electricity may flow. In other words, be sure to use the heating tape carefully because it runs on electricity. Although installing a special cover may help prevent the pipeline from freezing, always follow the installation and use instructions.

For more information on keeping electricity safe, please visit SafeElectricity.org.

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