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The very popular general plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, pump problems, questions and answers discussion Forum
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Author:
TStan
I have a crawl space that has the water supply line from the well come into = via a 1" poly pipe. I need to heat this area - which is about 100 square feet with about 3' of head room. Crawl space siding under this part of house is 1" foamboard, and batts of insulation next to it.
What is the best type of heater to use to heat this space? Winter temp are sometimes at 0 degrees F, and it is a second home that I drain the pipes when I leave, and would like this heater to be the only heat source to avoid this poly pipe freezing again.
I have used heat cords on the poly pipe and pipe still has frozen.
Electric heaters concern me. Didnt know of any other alternatives? would a small propane heater with a large supply tank be an option?
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Author:
packy
if heat tape is acceptable for you, frostex will do the job..
you must have used some other brand...
[www.tycothermal.com]
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Author:
hj
If an electric heater bothers you, you should be terrified of an unattended propane heater in an enclosed space.
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
Do you have a hose bib or similar device on the lowest part of your well supply line that you can drain the water out? If as you say, you drain the pipes before leaving, there should not be any water to freeze up, or I am missing something. Do you kill the well pump breaker, drain the hw heater and well pressure tank? If there's no water to freeze, you don't need to heat anything. Best Wishes.
"I'm not a complete iddiot. I am missing a few parts"
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Author:
Wheelchair
I'm with Packy and the proper use of Frostek "Heat Cord" You can single, double, triple and cross wrap the heat cord without fear of fire risk. After wrapping your pipes, with heat cord, you can also use several layers of fiberglass and foam wrap and then box it with wood.
I've seen 6' inch pvc pipe cut in half and placed over the protected pipe and then secured with hose claps to secure it. The protected pipe can also be supported as it will weigh more with the insulation.
Keep the area clean and dry.
Best Wishes
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Author:
Alan Muller (DE)
Much better to figure out how to drain the system properly than waste energy heating it all winter.
If you much heat, heat tape under insulation will be far more efficient than heating the whole space....
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Author:
TStan
I have frotex heat cord on it already - and it is wrapped with foam insulation, I also have a hose bib on the ground - but there have been two problems - 1) the hose bib failed, maybe clogged - so I used air compressor to blow out during last visit - and 2) frostex heat cord has also failed, but possibly since there is not enough of it wrapping the poly pipe, and needs more insulation around it -
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