Insulating 2" outdoor water pipe

[dcg9381]

We're preparing for "Great Freeze II" in Texas. Our water source is rain water and our main tank feeds a pump house via 2" PVC / spa hose. I'm going to add an electrical heating on the under side of these pipes, but need to insulate them with something that will survive outdoors. Material suggestions?

The vertical pipes are not an issue - they have no water in them under normal conditions.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would use self regulating heat tape and pipe wrap like this https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/...kwcid=AL!3645!3!303439923725!!!g!595936294045!

 

[FredWanaker]

something like the prior post - closed cell, and tape it to keep moisture and air out. Even that will freeze if you don't have heat going to it, which can fail if it is electric and power goes out. Keep water moving in the pipe slowly to keep ground heat going into it, also having the pipes open with a drip helps reduce the pressure in the lines, which is what ultimately breaks them in a freeze. Last, if there is a way to bring the water you need into the house and then drain the lines, that would be best. Don't forget the pump and any small pipes or elbows that are exposed. I survived a bad freeze in NorCal 30 years ago and the only casualty was a hose bib on the side of the house I missed. If you have a pool you'll need a long bar to keep breaking the ice that forms so it doesn't damage the pool too.

 

[rlitman]

...pipe wrap like this https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/...kwcid=AL!3645!3!303439923725!!!g!595936294045!

The black rubber Armaflex pipe wrap doesn't age well in the sun. Paint it with white exterior latex if you want it to last.

Be sure that whatever heat trace cable you install is rated to go under insulation!

If you can go passive, you're better off. A light frost can destroy an exposed PVC pipe, but put it just a few inches underground, and it should be fine. Knowing that, I'd build a box around that pipe out of 2" thick styrofoam insulation, two layers thick. Insulate the sides and top, but NOT the part facing the ground (slab).

 

[jubilee]

I’ve helped a couple of friends in the OK and TX areas rig up small circulating pumps on stagnant water storage systems.
Usually put them on timer, maybe 4 on, 4 off, or whatever works. Can work in tandem with heat tape and prevents freezing on tank side. Works fine for them in a fairly temperate climate.
Suggest you paint tank and lines black or cover with black for winter.

 

[bradpac]

I have taken your regular black foam pipe insulation and slid a larger piece of PVC over the top of it for protection. you can cut it in two pieces and use stainless band clamps to hold it back together if needed.

 

[dcg9381]

I’ve helped a couple of friends in the OK and TX areas rig up small circulating pumps on stagnant water storage systems. Suggest you paint tank and lines black or cover with black for winter.

I've got a circulation system setup if it gets really cold.. that's how we made it work last time... Insulating the exposed pipes is a first step. No timer, no separate pump though.. When it was 20 degrees out, pretty much ran the pump all the time recirculating.

Painting these tanks - that's not ideal for a number of reasons. Even in the "great freeze" the water in the tanks was fine with only minor icing at the surface.

 

[scooby074]

Heat trace and cover with Armacell (make sure whateever brand you use has the adhesive/flap). Protect from UV or use UV rated product. Its what we use up here where it gets way colder than Texas