Worglorglestein t1_iy7f2gv wrote on November 29, 2022 at 8:20 AM

New home, and the cold water pipes going to the washing machine are about 1/8" away from an uninsulated exterior wall. We haven't had any major freezes yet, and I'm trying to figure out the best way of insulating these pipes to avoid any potential problems this winter.

I was wondering if putting a few sheets of insulation on the outside of the house might help. Since we are planning to re-side the place next summer, I was thinking that just adding some insulation now might solve our current pipe issue while also saving a bit of work down the road.

Thoughts? Any other suggestions about ways to keep the pipes insulated?

Guygan t1_iy7uqn6 wrote on November 29, 2022 at 12:00 PM

What is the wall made of, is the wall insulated, and is the space heated?

Worglorglestein t1_iycgauk wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:57 AM

They're basically just the cement walls that make the foundation. The washer is down in the basement, so yes, the area is heated.

Guygan t1_iycghre wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:59 AM

Then no need to insulate.

--Ty-- t1_iybb6vw wrote on November 30, 2022 at 3:01 AM

If the hoses are inside the house, and you're saying they're 1/8" away from the interior-facing surface of the wall, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about at all and don't need to do anything.

Worglorglestein t1_iycg436 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 10:54 AM

Well, maybe they aren't quite 1/8" away. I'm not there ATM to measure, but we've already noticed them getting close to freezing this year. Last time, we were able to keep the water running during the night, but we caught it in time.

One way or another, they're getting pretty cold, and so far outside temps haven't dropped below the teens. Once things get into single digits, I have a feeling that there might be some trouble if we don't do something.

--Ty-- t1_iydt534 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 5:36 PM

If the whole space is uninsulated, then the whole space may get cold enough to freeze the pipe. Just insulating right next to the pipe will probably not be enough in that case. Likewise, insulating the pipe itself probably won't help either if the cold conditions stay for long enough. A pipe heating coil/wrap/tape/element might be the way to go. Just a trickle of electricity to keep the pipe above freezing temperatures.

That said, adding insulation to the entire space will help, but that's a whole project.