Totally agree about generators—seen plenty of them fail at the worst possible moment. Heat tape can be pretty effective if installed correctly, but I've also seen some sketchy DIY setups go sideways. I'd say it's worth a shot, just follow the instructions carefully...and don't skip inspections.
Good points about heat tape—I've had decent luck with it myself, but yeah, installation quality is everything. One thing I've wondered about though: has anyone tried insulating pipes with eco-friendly materials like wool or recycled denim? I've read they're pretty effective for walls and attics, but not sure how they'd hold up around plumbing...especially in damp areas. Curious if anyone's experimented with this or knows someone who has.
"has anyone tried insulating pipes with eco-friendly materials like wool or recycled denim?"
I get the appeal of eco-friendly insulation—used recycled denim myself in an attic job once, and it worked great up there. But honestly, around plumbing, especially in damp areas, I'd be cautious. Had a client who tried wool insulation on basement pipes, and it ended up absorbing moisture and getting moldy pretty fast. Maybe with some serious moisture barriers it'd be okay, but from what I've seen, traditional pipe insulation still seems safer in wet environments.
I get the appeal of eco-friendly insulation—used recycled denim myself in an attic job once, and it worked great up there. But honestly, around plumbing, especially in damp areas, I'd be cautious.
Yeah, I second the caution on wool insulation. Had a buddy who went all-in on eco-friendly materials for his cabin renovation—looked great at first, but after one particularly damp winter, he found mold creeping in everywhere. Denim might hold up better if it's properly sealed, but honestly, around pipes I'd stick with something designed specifically for moisture resistance. Nothing worse than thinking you're doing the right thing and ending up with a moldy mess...
I get the caution around eco-friendly insulation, especially wool, but I wouldn't write off denim completely.
"Denim might hold up better if it's properly sealed..."
Yeah, sealing is key. I used recycled denim around some basement pipes a couple years back—made sure to wrap everything tight with a good vapor barrier. Haven't had any mold issues yet, even after a few humid summers. It's definitely doable on a budget, just gotta be meticulous about moisture control and airflow...
