Reasons, on which thermal insulation for pipes of heating in the open air for the private house is necessary, usually, three. The first, when from the central heating main to the house it is necessary to lay on the street heating engineering communications. Another, when an autonomous boiler room is used for heating. Third, heating communications must be extended to other buildings, located on the premises.
Why thermal insulation for outdoor heating pipes
It would seem, procedure of warming of pipes for heating - superfluous employment: they are almost always hot anyway. So, if it is a question of warming of pipes of heating systems, it would be more correct to use the term "thermal insulation". This applies primarily to the pipelines of domestic hot water systems (hot water supply). Here, insulation does not come to the fore, and maintaining the temperature of the pumped medium at a certain level and reduce heat loss. The same precaution will be superfluous for GWP main pipelines and for heating mains, regardless of the type of steel pipes themselves., copper or plastic.
Wrinkle! Sometimes insulation of heating pipes for laying in the ground, made using only traditional insulation, is insufficient. In this case, experts recommend heating them forcibly, using heating cables.
The area of heat exchange of pipelines
The cylindrical configuration of the pipes determines a considerable area of heat exchange with the atmosphere or soil (if those are laid in the ground). As the diameter of the pipeline increases, heat loss increases. From the table below you will learn, how critical is their increase to the temperature difference outside and inside the pipe, from its diameter and the thickness of the insulation layer.
Requirements for insulating material
In the modern market in the segment of thermal insulation for outdoor heating pipes there are a lot of proposals. Preference should be given to the following thermal insulation structures:
- For insulation of heating pipes on the street, and only hydrophobic material will be suitable in the basement.
- Thermal insulation of heating pipes must have a reliable external protection. The reasons for this requirement are hidden in natural phenomena, and in the human factor:
- if the insulation is able to absorb water, it must be reliably protected from atmospheric moisture;
- external protection will prevent the destruction of pipelines on the street from the negative effects of UV radiation;
- external protection withstands excessive wind loads.
in addition, the possibility of damage to the thermal insulation of external hot water routes and heating by animals cannot be ruled out, which are issued on a personal plot, as well as from the banal manifestations of vandalism.
Criteria for choosing insulation
In search of an answer to the question of how to insulate heating pipes on the street and in the attic, in addition to the above requirements should take into account the following characteristics of the insulating material:
- thermal conductivity;
- ability to withstand aggressive environmental influences;
- operating temperature range;
- service life. This is especially true, if the pipes are laid in the ground, rather than outdoors;
- ease of installation.
Options for heat-insulating structures
The variety of materials provides an opportunity to implement high-quality thermal insulation of pipelines, laid in the ground, and above its surface. And although the production of insulated pipes for heating in our country is established at a fairly high level, many of our compatriots carry out their thermal insulation on their own.
Of course, without certain knowledge can not do here. After all, a wide choice implies a difference in the characteristics of insulating materials. Therefore, who decided to perform this procedure, without involving professionals, it will be useful to know, that for warming of pipes of heating by the hands such of them are used:
Foam insulation. These products are available in the form of covers, for the manufacture of which polyurethane is used, expanded polystyrene or rubber. The layer of thermal insulation is created without problems: the cover is simply put on the pipeline through a longitudinal cut, rather than by pulling the pipe out of its cavity.
Wrinkle! If you do it with your own hands, do not forget at the final stage to glue the ends of the cut with a special adhesive composition.
Special mineral wool.
- Basalt. The raw material for its production is a rock with a high content of dolomite mineral. This insulation attracts attention, what, Firstly, it is able to operate at temperatures +650?WITH, a, secondly, it does not emit toxic substances when heated.
- Fiberglass. Quartz sand is its main component. in addition, the composition of such insulation includes glass made of it. Its feature is a relatively low operating temperature - about 180?WITH. Therefore, fiberglass wool goes, mainly, on production of pipes for heating warmed for external routes and for those, which are laid in the ground.
Because both of these types of insulation are characterized by increased hygroscopicity, they can be used only in combination with waterproofing:
- Displays the winding. The procedure of warming heating pipes on the street with your own hands with the help of such insulation does not require the performer to have professional skills. Everything is very simple. On top of the main layer of insulation, performed, example, from the made foam polyurethane or polyethylene, wind the aluminum foil, then fix it with metal wire.
- Polyfoam. For engineering communications special forms are made repeating their geometry, in the form of a ring, consisting of two parts. There are grooved connections in each of them. This design allows you to easily insulate the pipeline with your own hands.
Wrinkle! Polyfoam practically does not absorb moisture. But since it is necessary to insulate pipes of GVP-routes in the earth absolutely waterproof material, foam is not the best option. From this point of view it will be better to stop the choice on extruded expanded polystyrene.
Polyfoam is the optimal material for creating thermal insulation for heating pipes in the apartment. Not all our compatriots understand the urgency of this issue. So, not on the street, and in the living room, even insulated heating pipes will not freeze. But on the way to the radiator useful degrees are spent on heating walls and furniture. So, the degree of heating of the radiator will be significantly less than expected, what, in turn, will reduce the level of heat transfer to the rooms of the apartment.
Insulation of pipes in the attic and basement
After finishing the construction of a private house, its owner must find out, than the heating pipes are insulated. The choice of material depends on the type of room, in which they are laid: in the attic or basement.
The attic is characterized by high purge, so high humidity here, usually, not fixed: she is the same, as on the street. And for that reason, that to create full warming in the attic is very difficult, subzero temperatures are not uncommon.
Those, who want to insulate the pipes laid in this room with their own hands, should be guided not only by the thermal conductivity of the material. It should also be considered, whether it is possible to combine segments without the formation of cold bridges. As practice shows, for insulation of heating pipes in the attic is best suited glass wool, slag, stone and basalt wool. And not just because of the affordable price. After all, even that, who does not know, how to insulate heating pipes in the attic, independent solution of this problem on the shoulder. And this is an additional saving.
Basement - the most critical place for heating pipes in a residential building. They are laid in the ground below the depth of soil freezing. But even this does not eliminate the need for insulation of pipelines. And from the point of entry of the heating main into the basement to that place, where the pipes fit to the location of the plumbing, they must be insulated.
Wrinkle! Regardless of the type of material, used for thermal insulation of pipes, laid in the ground, it must be covered with a layer of waterproofing.
Finding an answer to the question of what to insulate in the basement of the heating pipe will not take much time. According to experts, in terms of value for money, the best choice is thermal insulation from expanded polystyrene. It is made for pipes of various diameters and any owner with its help can insulate the pipeline in the basement with his own hands..
The use of mineral wool involves two stages of the process of insulation of heating pipes in the basement:
- the canvas is tightly wrapped around the pipe and secured with a nylon cord;
- from roofing material waterproofing protection is formed. Being pre-cut into pieces, this material, in turn, wound on top of mineral wool. A nylon rope is also used for fixing.
Correct choice of a heat-insulating design and correctness of its installation define duration of service life and efficiency of work of pipelines.