Pipes and Sewers

Should You Insulate Your Water Pipes?

Plumber installing water pipe insulation.

For most homeowners, whether to insulate a home’s hot water pipes is an easy decision. When you can purchase effective insulating pipe sleeves for a few feet per dollar, it’s hard to resist the simple energy savings that will pay off for years.

But not all homeowners know about this easy efficiency booster or the reasons why you might want to insulate your cold water pipes, as well.

Learn more about the reasons why you should be insulating water pipes in your home and whether you can DIY it or need a professional.

Reasons to Insulate Your Water Pipes

There’s more than one!

Hotter Water Faster

If you have a traditional tank water heater, you’re already paying to keep that hot water on standby. With the benefit of pipe insulation, the hot water waiting in your pipes will cool down slower.

This saves water because it shortens the time it takes for the water coming out of your fixtures to reach your desired temperature. You’ll be jumping into the shower sooner!

In fact. quality hot water pipe insulation can add a few degrees to the actual temperature of household water, so if you like things especially hot when you’re showering or washing the dishes, pipe insulation is well worth it.

Quieter Pipes

If you hear a loud knocking sound when you run your hot water, that could be your metal pipes expanding with the flow of heated water. This clanking noise can be anxiety-inducing for some homeowners, and insulating water heater pipes quiets this down.

Consistent Temperature Control

If you’re already going through the trouble of insulating hot water pipes in your home, adding insulation to the cold water pipes should only add a few bucks in materials to the average house – and there are some real benefits.

In winter, adding insulation to cold water pipes will prevent them from freezing and bursting. During the summer, these sections of pipe may also be exposed to outdoor heat, which may transfer to your cold water supply. Cold water pipe insulation can help you with that, as well.

Avoid Water Damage

Another benefit of insulating your cold water pipes is avoiding condensation. In high-humidity environments, metal pipes filled with cold water will become covered in condensation. As these droplets collect, they’ll fall onto whatever lies beneath. If you’re storing furniture or keepsakes in your basement beneath uninsulated water pipes, condensation could result in destructive water damage.

How to Insulate Outdoor Water Pipes – DIY or Hire a Pro?

Can you put insulation around hot water pipes yourself? Installing pipe insulation is often as simple as purchasing sleeves, cutting them to length, and securing them in place with tape. But insulating hard-to-reach sections of pipe may be a job for a licensed, experienced plumber.

If you’re trying to figure out how to insulate water pipes yourself and discover you need the expertise of a pro, get in touch with your local plumbing professionals today.

Get Professional Water Pipe Insulation

Ready to save money, have hotter water faster, and not worry about pipes freezing in the winter? Get professional pipe insulation services today from the licensed plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Call 1-877-BEN-1776 or request an appointment online to get started!

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