How To Keep Pex From Freezing In Attic

I looked in the attic and noticed that all of the plumbing that once was in the slab had been replaced by pex and was now in the attic.

How to keep pex from freezing in attic. Controlled by a thermostat to activate only when the attic temperature plunges dangerously low the tape typically consumes about 5 watts per foot. San antonio is a temperate climate and it rarely gets below freezing and i know pex is more resilient when is comes to freeze ups as the plastic tends to expand as needed. Open all the faucets that are connected to those pex pipes. Inspect the pex pipes and make sure that there are no visible cracks in the pipe.

Shut off your main water line. Let those faucets run until no more water. I d bet leaks under a house are many times more likely do to winter freezing. Insulate pex pipe exposed to freezing temperatures.

Water inside the pipes can still freeze. If you do see a crack contact your local plumber. While pex does not ordinarily burst in the cold the water in the pipes can still freeze. Use the same diameter foam pipe insulation tube as the pex pipe.

If a span of pipe is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures electric pipe heating tape acts like an electric blanket for pipes to prevent freezing. Insulate pipes run through an attic to reduce the risk of freezing. Measure the diameter of the pex pipe that needs to be insulated. Follow these steps to prevent pex pipes from freezing in your home.

Pex pipe is resistant to bursting but the fittings are not. Designing your home now. Step 2 pull open one end of a section of foam pipe insulation tubing at the slit using your hands. Use heat tape on problem pipes.

In electrical we have to keep exposed wiring at least 6 feet from the entrance to an attic to protect it. Route pex pipe through interior not exterior walls where possible. It is important to insulate pex pipe in an attic particularly in cold weather areas.