Heat tapes look like electrical extension cords. But unlike all other wiring that can become hazardous if it gets hot, these tapes are specifically designed
to produce heat
. They are used mainly to keep water pipes from freezing, but they also prevent ice dams at gutters, downspouts and roof edges.
What is the purpose of heat tape?
Electric heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a
system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels using heat tracing cables
. Trace heating takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe.
When should I turn my heat tape on?
Self-regulated heat tapes don’t get very hot at all which is why they aren’t helpful to unfreeze pipes. In fact, they should be installed on your pipes long before the first freeze. The new self-regulated heat tapes will turn on
when the temperature gets below 40 to 38 degrees
.
What temp is heat tape good for?
Lower power densities and temperatures, with maximum temperatures ranging from
150°F to 500°F
, and including low-intensity cables well suited for freeze prevention. Higher power densities and temperatures, ranging from tapes with a maximum of 305° up to very-high-temperature tapes rated for up to 1400°F (760°C).
What is heat tape for pipes?
Heat tape (or heating tape, as it’s sometimes referred to) is
a way you can implement low-key freeze protection for your exposed pipes during the winter
. In fact, this handy technology can even be used to safeguard instrumentation and other devices that are left out in the cold.
Can you leave heat tape plugged in?
You can leave these models plugged in. The problem is that some people leave them plugged in for decades. Tucked away in a garden shed or crawl space, the tapes get hot in summer, cold in winter and soaked with moisture off and on year-round.
Does heat tape use a lot of electricity?
Energy Consumption
On average,
heat tape consumes nine (9) watts per lineal foot
. c. In warmer months when there is no snow on the roof, turn heat tape off at the breaker switch or unplug it. Do not rely on built-in thermostats to make sure heat tape is not operating.
Can heat tape start a fire?
Sadly,
heat tape has the potential to cause fires in homes and businesses
. Many of these products consist only of non-regulating tape which plugs into a wall outlet. If the heat tape remains activated for long periods of time – especially if temperatures rise and/or the tape is well-insulated – it can spark a fire.
What type of tape is heat resistant?
Fiberglass tapes, basalt tapes, and aluminum foil tapes
are commonly used in high temperature gasketing, sealing, lagging, thermal insulation, and encapsulation applications around furnaces, ovens, and hot pipes.
Does heat tape feel warm?
Feel along the length of the heat tape.
It should be getting warm
. If the heat tape fails to warm up, after 10 minutes, the thermostat or the heat tape itself is bad.
Can you plug heat tape into an extension cord?
Don’t forget to plug in your heat tape before the onset of cold weather.
Do not use an extension cord
. The heat tape must plug directly into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle. You should find a GFCI protected outlet underneath your manufactured home, near the water inlet.
What can I do with excess heat tape?
1 Answer. Usually you
can wrap the tape around the pipe as you install it
. You can then add or subtract wraps to adjust the length and make it come out where you want. This works well for just a short amount of slack.
Is heat tape safe for PVC pipes?
If your building plumbing pipes are plastic, such as PVC water piping, use
only pipe heat tape that has an automatic thermostat
to control the heat tape temperature. Otherwise a very hot heating tape may damage the piping or even cause a leak.
Can you put heat tape inside a pipe?
Yes
. Pipe Freeze Pro heat tape can be use to promote drainage through pipes such as concrete culverts and plastic culverts.
How long does heat tape take to thaw pipes?
How Long Does It Take for Pipes to Unfreeze? Space heaters, hair dryers, and heat lamps are all common household devices that can be used to thaw out pipes in
30 to 45 minutes
. However, getting professional help is almost always advisable in case any pipes have burst from pressure build up.
