I’ve wondered about spray foam too, especially when it comes to those stretches of pipe that are basically hugging the outside wall. I tried using it once in a crawlspace, thinking it’d be a quick fix, but after a couple of really cold nights, I noticed the foam had shrunk back a bit and left some gaps. Not a total fail, but not exactly confidence-inspiring either.
About the towels—yeah, I’ve been there. Used an old sweatshirt sleeve once in a pinch and it ended up soggy and smelling like wet dog. I think anything that can hold moisture is just asking for trouble under a house. Lately, I’ve been using those pre-slit foam pipe covers with some zip ties to keep them snug. They’re not perfect, but they don’t seem to trap moisture the same way, and they’re easy to check on if you’re crawling around down there.
Still feels like there’s no perfect answer unless you can keep the whole area warm, which isn’t always realistic. Just trying to avoid the “science experiment” vibe myself...
Yeah, those foam sleeves with zip ties are pretty much my go-to now too. I tried the spray foam thing once and it just turned into a crumbly mess after a winter or two—didn’t really trust it after that. I hear you on the “science experiment” vibe... I once found a chunk of old towel frozen solid around a pipe, looked like some weird art project gone wrong. Honestly, unless you’re ready to pony up for heat tape or actually warming the crawlspace, it’s always gonna be a bit of a patch job. At least the foam covers don’t smell like wet dog.
I once found a chunk of old towel frozen solid around a pipe, looked like some weird art project gone wrong.
That’s classic. I’ve seen everything from newspaper to socks wrapped around pipes—people get creative when it’s 10 below. I agree, spray foam just doesn’t hold up long-term in crawlspaces. I’ve had better luck layering the foam sleeves with some reflective tape, but honestly, nothing beats heat tape if you’re tired of the annual guessing game. Still, you’re right, the foam sleeves at least keep things tidy and don’t stink up the place.
nothing beats heat tape if you’re tired of the annual guessing game
I hear you, but I’ve had heat tape fail on me mid-winter—talk about a heart-stopper. Anyone ever try those “pipe heating cables” with built-in thermostats? Curious if they’re worth the extra bucks or just another gadget collecting dust.
Heat tape’s great—until it isn’t. I’ve seen it fail too, usually when you least expect it. The built-in thermostat cables are a step up in my book. They kick on only when temps drop, so you’re not running them 24/7 and burning out the element early. That said, installation matters a lot. If the cable isn’t tight against the pipe or gets bunched up, you can still get cold spots or even shorts.
I’ve had better luck with the pricier self-regulating cables, especially in crawl spaces or spots that are tough to check mid-winter. They’re not magic, but they do cut down on the “is it working?” anxiety. Still, nothing’s totally set-and-forget—worth checking them every fall before things freeze up.
