Steam Pipe Insulation: Further Issues

A guy removed asbestos insulation from our basement steam pipes last year, but the price didn't include insulation, which we now need.  His quote is a bit high, and he is using fiberglass.  Any references?

Thats an easy one to do yourself.  These are steam pipes, right?  The fiberglass stuff isn't cheap, but it is easy to install.

FilmCarp said:

Thats an easy one to do yourself.  These are steam pipes, right?  The fiberglass stuff isn't cheap, but it is easy to install.

I did this myself, and I'm usually the first in line to pay someone else to handle home improvement work. 

Make sure you get the fiberglass insulation meant for steam pipes. Steam pipes are much hotter than hot water pipes. 

Someone posted a link about a year ago for a place to mail order it. I would go that route. The adhesive on the stuff I bought at Home Depot failed almost immediately. I had to go back and apply painters tape to keep the two halves from separating and falling off the pipes.

If you really don't want to DIY, this won't help...but another vote that this is entry level DIY.  I think the only tool you need is a utility knife, maybe a pair of scissors for tape.   I bought mine from one of the local plumbing supply stores (Maplewood Plumbing?).  My recollection is that an important thing to do is measure the diameter of the pipes before you go to store - you want a proper fit. You'll need to do measuring anyway to figure out how much to buy.  Might be worth buying a little and taking home to confirm it's right size.

Just in case ---- eye protection and gloves you will throw away. Fiberglass gets into skin and itches. In your eyes, not good either.

I second that it is an easy installation.

+1 for the gloves. I found that out the hard way.

kthnry said:

+1 for the gloves. I found that out the hard way.

Maybe also add a "throwaway" painter's hat. This protection will cost less than $10.00 but is way cheaper than hiring someone to do the job.

I worry that this mention of protective equipment will discourage you from doing the job. Don't let it.

There is a good plumbing supply place on Newark Way in Maplewood.  Measure the diameter of the pipe and you are good to go.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.  I measured the pipe dimensions today and the amount of fiberglass I need, and will try installing it sometime over the next several weeks.

So, I bought the fiberglass insulation at the local Maplewood plumbing supply store, (the one on Newark Way may have closed), and installed it very easily, saving a lot of money.  The only thing I am regretting is that I relied on the store for selecting the insulation, and I was given 1/2 inch thick for my main steam pipes, whereas I later read online that 1" might have been better.  The basement is a lot cooler, though, now, so something is working.  I am also trying to decide if I should insulate the auxiliary smaller diameter pipes in addition to the main ones, now that I am on a roll.  

I insulated everything I could reach on the supply side, but nothing on the return side.  The return lines keep a little heat in my basement, which I like.  Good for you for doing it yourself.

when I moved in 2 years ago, there was no pipe insulation and the heat in the house was so imbalanced.  The basement was like a sauna, the first floor hot, while upstairs cold.  I ordered the insulation online, and the difference was immediate. I insulated all the mains, including returns, and as much of risers as i could reach. Also do everything you can around the boiler, too.  Also heating bills dropped!  Insulate as many pipes as you can. And yes, 1" better, 1 1/2" even better.  (I ordered it all online from a NJ company that was far cheaper than locally)

and just a reminder - Smart thermostats simply don't work with steam heat.  It may be convenient to look at your thermostat from your phone, but you won't save energy. Skip the Nest or Ecobee and put that $$$ into insulation!

FYI: The plumbing supply store on Newark Way stills exists under new ownership and is now called "South Amboy" (I know, odd name for a place in Maplewood). It is at the corner of Newark Way and Rutgers St.

I was in there last week.

peteglider said:

when I moved in 2 years ago, there was no pipe insulation and the heat in the house was so imbalanced.  The basement was like a sauna, the first floor hot, while upstairs cold. 

I’ll bet the sellers had the asbestos insulation removed right before putting the house on the market. To be honest, that’s what I plan to do when I sell my house. 

Just remember to keep a close eye on your pipes if it gets really cold this winter.  Changing things like the temp in your basement can change the balance that, up until now, may have kept your water pipes from freezing in sub 10 degrees weather.

Before removing the old asbestos and then installing the fiberglass insulation our basement was always warmer than the rest of the house.  Now the basement is cooler and the living area is much warmer, which is where we want the heat.   One steam radiator that never got warm is now working and very warm.  Saves money and better all around.  I did use the Newark Way plumbing supply for the fiberglass insulation.  

There are several schools of thought with pipe insulation. The difference between ½" and 1" insulation is negligible compared to the difference between bare pipe and ½" insulation. Some people would rather go with the lesser insulation and allow some residual heat warm the basement...it's heat "lost" within the building envelope so it's not actually lost at all. Even if it's a drafty basement. The person that revived a dead radiator with pipe insulation? That's a true success story. There are very few like that since most boilers are grossly oversized and wasteful anyway.
See the chart below to consider whether or not thicker insulation is worth the extra cost of buying it.  

Thanks master_plvmber.  How do you feel about insulation near the boiler?  I think it's called the Hartford loop.  Should that be left uninsulated?

As a followup, I got my auxiliary pipe insulation at South Amboy, at the suggestion of Steel (above).  It was much better stocked, and all with 1" fiberglass, instead of the 1/2" at the same price from the other supply outfit.   All is working well, the house feels warmer upstairs, the basement cooler.

RobertRoe said:

Before removing the old asbestos and then installing the fiberglass insulation our basement was always warmer than the rest of the house.  Now the basement is cooler and the living area is much warmer, which is where we want the heat.   One steam radiator that never got warm is now working and very warm.  Saves money and better all around.  I did use the Newark Way plumbing supply for the fiberglass insulation.  

This is making me wonder if I should put fiberglass over my asbestos. 

Don't touch the asbestos.  That's how it gets airborne.