"Since then I've switched to stainless steel valves, and yeah, the difference is noticeable."
Stainless steel valves are solid, no doubt, but honestly, valves alone won't stop pipes from freezing. Have you considered wrapping them in wool or recycled denim? Worked surprisingly well for me, and it's eco-friendly too...
"Have you considered wrapping them in wool or recycled denim? Worked surprisingly well for me, and it's eco-friendly too..."
Yeah, insulation makes a huge difference. I've seen plenty of burst pipes even with stainless steel valves installed—valves alone aren't enough if the pipe itself freezes solid. Denim insulation is actually pretty underrated; I used it last winter on some exposed pipes in my basement, and they held up great through a nasty cold snap. Plus, it's way easier to handle than fiberglass...no itchy arms afterward, haha.
I've never tried denim myself, but I did experiment with wool insulation a couple winters back. It worked pretty well overall, though I found it tricky to keep dry in damp areas like my crawlspace. Did you have any moisture issues with the denim? I'm curious if it holds up better in humid conditions, since fiberglass was always my go-to despite the itchy hassle...
"Did you have any moisture issues with the denim? I'm curious if it holds up better in humid conditions..."
I've used denim insulation in my basement for about two years now. Here's my experience:
- Moisture-wise, it's definitely better than wool but not quite as resistant as fiberglass.
- It can absorb humidity if things get really damp, but dries out faster than wool did for me.
- I'd recommend pairing it with a good vapor barrier if your crawlspace tends to get humid.
- Overall, it's been a decent compromise—no itchy fiberglass hassle, and pretty budget-friendly too.
Hope that helps!
I've gotta say, denim insulation wouldn't be my first pick for humid spaces. Had a client last year who tried it in their crawlspace—ended up holding moisture more than they expected, and we had to pull some out due to mold developing. Fiberglass or foam board might be less eco-friendly, but they're usually safer bets for damp areas. Just my two cents from seeing it firsthand...
