Good call on draining hose bibs and throwing some insulation on pipes—seen too many split copper lines from folks skipping that step. I’m with you, sometimes the simplest checks catch more problems than all the gadgets. Dye tablets are handy but nothing beats a sharp eye and a flashlight in the crawlspace.
I’ve seen folks skip the crawlspace check because it’s a pain, but honestly, that’s where you catch the weird stuff—little drips, pinhole leaks, or even critter damage. I always run my hand along the pipes for condensation or cold spots, especially right after a freeze. One thing I’m curious about: do you guys bother with heat tape on exposed lines, or just stick to insulation? I’ve had mixed results with the cheaper tapes...
One thing I’m curious about: do you guys bother with heat tape on exposed lines, or just stick to insulation? I’ve had mixed results with the cheaper tapes...
I actually lean toward just using thick foam insulation unless it’s a really exposed spot. Heat tape always makes me nervous—seen too many cases where it fails or even causes issues if someone forgets to check it. Have you tried the self-regulating kind? The cheap stuff never seems to last more than a season for me.
I get what you mean about the heat tape—I've seen some pretty sketchy installs where it either burns out or just stops working and nobody notices until there's a real mess. The self-regulating stuff is way better, but honestly, I still trust a fat layer of insulation more for most spots. If it’s a spot that gets hit by wind or is totally unprotected, then I’ll double up with both, but otherwise, just the insulation does the trick for me. Those cheap tapes are just asking for trouble long-term...
The self-regulating stuff is way better, but honestly, I still trust a fat layer of insulation more for most spots.
I hear you on the insulation—cheaper and less likely to fry itself. But have you ever had pipes freeze even with a ton of insulation? I had one spot under my porch that just wouldn’t stay thawed until I caved and used both. Wondering if anyone’s found a magic fix that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg...
