I understand about following the directions. I guess what I was trying to ask/verify is this - the Frostex instructions/brochure states that you can overlap and over insulate this type of heat tape/cable without any problems. Also, it states that you increase the thickness of the insulation in accor...

Is there any reason I could not use a rol of fiberglass insulation to insulate the pipe/frostec heat tape? I think it would be easier to take a 16"w x 2" thick x 48" long roll and wrap that around the pipe. What I would do is cut it down to 8" wide wrap that around the pipe. I wo...

I have the Frostex brand - it is sold by the foot, can be overlapped, can be overinsulated and is priced at $1.50/foot via the internet (google search) or at my local MH dealer it is $2.29/foot. THe end kit is about $14.

OK, I found a FAQ in the Frostec instructions. It states that Frostex het tape will not burn out if placed too close, overlapped or over insulated. I think I will wrap 1" of fibergalss insulation then the vapor barrier over that.

Last heat tape question - I promise :) I am going to replace my heat tape next week. I am securing the needed supplies and I have a question regarding the insulation that goes around the pipe/heat tape. I have plastic (pex) water line and will be using Frostex heat cable/tape. Currently there is abo...

Thanks for the replies! I just need to decided what type to get now. Will wait for Mark to get his supply in and see what he has

OK, Last question - I see in the article on selecting heat tape it says that the plastic coated type must run flat/straight. The package on the M-D heat tape (Wrap-On brand from a mobile home supply web site) shows it being wrapped around the pipe. ????

I might add the plastic coated heat tape is M-D brand if that matters THANKS!

I will be replacing my heat tape soon. I was wondering, what do you all recommend I use? I live in Iowa and we can have some long cold winters. There are 2 types of heat tape I can find - Frostex (metal braid that can wrap around itself and can be bought by the foot, or the type that comes in set le...

Well we had 2.25" of rain last night - I checked the insulation that has been wet - it was dry! So, I think the area I caulked might have solved the problem. I will wait a bit and make sure everything is dried out and stays dry before I re-insulate and seal it all up. THANK YOU to all who gave ...

Thanks for the info! Will be placing an order when you get those in

I am wonder - is there anyway to keep water out of the riser/crock that comes out of the ground? I had a problem with ground water filling it up this past spring and would like it not to happen again so that my heat tape does not get wet. Any ideas? Thanks!

Thanks for the confirmation. The kink isnt really a kink, but more of a fold that went towards the end of the tape. I will feel better if it is replaced. It looks easy enough to do - I will re-use the existing black foam pipe insulation that is there. Any suggestions on what type to get? Is the Fros...

THANKS for the tips! I figured out where it is leaking. I knew that it was not leaking from the top as when I pulled the siding, all the cardboard was dry. So, I got the hose out and simulated hard rain :) The water is leaking from a small gap where the vinyl siding lays behind the piece where the s...

I have an odd leak situation - I noticed in the front corner of our house that a box had gotten wet in our pantry. I went outside/under the house and found that in the underbelly there was water. I poked a hole and water ran out. I removed the insualtion and verified everything else was dry. The flo...