Should I Insulate My PEX Piping?

[kailor]

I'll be running new PEX under the joists, yet above the belly wrap and insulation. I'm considering The 6' pieces of tubular insulation over my PEX. Mark's book says to NOT insulate the piping. Does he still stand by this? It seems to me that the duct heat would keep the pipe insulation warm and subsequently the PEX piping.

[Greg]

If you insulate the pipes near the duct you are protecting them from the cold, but you are also insulating them from the warm air. If the DO freeze it will take more heat to thaw them. The great thing about PEX is that it is very forgiving when it comes to freeze ups. Once the insulation & belly are back in place and tight Insulate and heat tape the lines below the belly and you should be fine.

Don't forget to make sure the skirting is in place with no holes also. Greg