Do heat tapes work to prevent frozen pipes?

[jymbee]

We have hot water heat and there's one section of copper pipe in the basement ceiling that runs near the outside foundation which is prone to freezing when the temperature gets down to zero or below. Pulling back the ceiling tiles in that area to let heat in helps but if the thermostat is set too low and doesn't kick in often enough-- that section can freeze. Dig out the heat gun...

Wondering if some kind of heat "tape" might be effective. Reviews I've read range from they're crap, to they work great. Anyone with a similar problem found a viable product that works?

 

[RNeumann]

Yes the heat tape works. The pre-made stuff with the plug and heat sensor already installed is fine. They can be had at the big box home/hardware stores. For best results you should insulate over the top of the tape with pipe insulation.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

They work fine till the power goes off.

 

[goeduck]

As my neighbor rightly says, they work until the power goes out. But with the power on, they work great. Wrap insulation over them and they will keep the pipes from freezing.

 

[Spiros]

Had a heat tape cause a fire in the attic one time. Be sure they are UL Listed or have a UL mark.

 

[fishheadbob]

They work.

 

[poncho62]

Another thing you could do is run your circulating pump all the time when it gets real cold....just a though. I guess it would waste more energy.

 

[LouNY]

Yes heat tapes work, the installation is critical to there use.
Depending on the tape it should not cross over or contact itself, it needs to be securely taped to the pipe,
contact is what allows proper heat transfer, use the tape designed for the purpose not duct tape or electrical,
cover with insulation.
One question, is the line that freezes part of the heating system?
If so just insulating it may allow it to retain enough heat not to freeze, if it is contacting the concrete wall,
insulation on the wall to prevent contact may help.

 

[Oaktree]

Another option would be to put antifreeze in the heating system. My previous house had FHW which I used as a secondary source (woodstove was primary). A couple spots would freeze in sub-zero weather.

WARNING!! Do not use car anti-freeze! It's toxic, and can theoretically back-feed into your regular water system if they're connected (they usually are). Use a non-toxic antifreeze made for RVs instead.

 

[mcfarmall]

We use electric heat trace on all our outdoor hazardous waste pipe and potable water pipe. Never had any go bad and our power NEVER goes out. Heat trace is placed on the bottom of the pipe in a straight line and covered with 2" thick fiberglass pipe insulation and metal cladding on the outside.

Local codes probably specify a backflow preventer where a potable water line feeds into a forced water system regardless of whether there is antifreeze or not in the downstream system.