I'm working on finishing my basement and I've got R-19 insulation going up between the studs. My concern is a PEX pipe that runs about 20 feet to a frost-free hose bib behind one of the walls. I want to make sure that if I insulate the walls, that the area remains warm enough to prevent the pipe from freezing and potentially bursting. Here are some ideas I'm considering:
1. Insulating around the pipe as much as possible to keep it warm, especially since there's insulation above it from the rim joists.
2. Installing a drain line on the unfinished side to reduce water in the PEX line, plus I could blow it out if necessary.
3. Leaving some gaps in the insulation, hoping that enough heat will escape to keep the space above freezing.
I live in zone 5, where temperatures can drop to -20F. I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions about my options. Thanks!
3 Answers
Make sure the PEX is on the warm side of the insulation. In older homes, we sometimes create a bulkhead for the pipe, or just surface mount it. Just a heads up, PEX can’t have UV exposure, so keep that in mind!
I think the safest route is adding a shutoff valve with an accessible drain. That way, if the worst happens, you'll be able to limit damage. Definitely insulate around the pipe too. It’s good to know that PEX can handle a bit of frost, but better safe than sorry!
Wrapping the PEX in insulation is a solid choice, especially since you mentioned it already has a shutoff. If you can add a drain line, that might provide extra safety against bursting. It sounds like a proactive plan to me!
Great advice! I'll look into getting the PEX tools to make that happen.
Thanks for the suggestion! I definitely prefer to avoid any potential damage.