Yeah, insulation can be tricky—I totally get the struggle. I've tried both snug and loose insulation in my place, and honestly, I think you're onto something with the material. Last year, I switched to a more eco-friendly insulation that's specifically designed to handle moisture and temperature swings, and so far, so good. No frozen pipes yet (knock on wood).
One thing I'd add is that pipe placement matters a ton too. My neighbor had pipes running along an exterior wall, and even with decent insulation, they froze during a cold snap. After he rerouted them slightly inward, the problem disappeared completely. So maybe it's not just about how tight or loose you wrap them, but also about where they're located?
Either way, I'm with you on the regular checks. I learned my lesson after spending a freezing night thawing pipes with a hairdryer—never again, haha.
Good point about pipe placement. I hadn't really thought about that before... I always assumed insulation was the main factor. But now that you mention it, my laundry room pipes run along an exterior wall and freeze up way more often than the kitchen ones closer to the center of the house. Might need to look into rerouting them—sounds like a pain, but probably worth it in the long run. Did your neighbor DIY that or hire someone?
Rerouting can definitely help, but I'm not sure it's always worth the hassle and expense, especially if you're budget-conscious. Have you considered heat tape or cable? I installed some myself on pipes along an exterior wall, and they've held up surprisingly well during cold snaps. Pretty straightforward DIY job too—just wrap the tape around the pipe, plug it in, and you're set. Might be a simpler solution than tearing into walls and rerouting everything...
Heat tape can definitely work well, but have you thought about insulation sleeves or foam pipe covers as an extra layer? I've had good luck with those in a few older properties—cheap, easy to install, and they add a bit more protection. Curious though, are your pipes exposed outside or just in an exterior wall? Depending on placement, combining heat tape with insulation might be the best bet without going through the hassle of rerouting...
Heat tape and foam sleeves are solid suggestions, but honestly, I've found that sometimes insulation alone just delays the inevitable if temps really plummet. Had a property a few winters back—pipes were in an exterior wall, insulated pretty well too—but we still had a burst. Ended up installing a small space heater on low in the basement corner nearby, just to take the edge off. Not ideal energy-wise, but cheaper than emergency plumbers at 3 AM...
