Heat Tape and Plumbing

Preparation

• Check all the pipes for leaks before covering them with heat tape. A leaky or damaged pipe compromises the effectiveness of the heat tape and may not keep the pipes from freezing. Repair or replace any pipes that are faulty. Check all joints for leaks, and tighten joints that are loose. Pipes covered with heat tape must be completely dry at all times or the heat tape will not be effective.

Locations

• Heat tape is used on water pipes located in areas of the home that are not generally heated. These areas include the attic, under the porch, crawl spaces and in the garage. A great majority of the plumbing pipes in a mobile home are located underneath the flooring, behind the skirting of the home’s foundation. The use of heat tape is common on the plumping pipes of a mobile home even with the use of insulated skirting.

Installation

• Some less expensive types of heat tape or heat tape not properly installed has the potential to be a fire hazard. Do not overlap the heat tape; make sure you have a single layer wrapped around the pipe. Use electrical tape to secure the heat tape to the pipe as an added measure. Always use an electrical outlet protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for the three-prong plug. The heat tape is applied directly next to the surface of the pipe. Always read and follow label directions.

Precautions

• Use only heat tape that is equipped with an automatic thermostat on PVC pipe. Never put heat tape over insulated pipe, and do not cover heat tape with insulation unless manufacturer’s instructions approve of the action. The basic lifespan of heat tape is three years and should be replaced if it's older than that. Check heat tape annually, and replace any that is cracked, discolored or melted.