Hi,

The central heating in our house is approx 20 years old, the boiler is outdoors and the pipes to the house run underground. I suspect that the pipes are not well insulated or the insulation may have become water logged at this stage.

I have to lift the concrete this weekend and while I am at it I wanted to inspect the pipes and replace/improve the insulation if possible.

Is there any insulation suitable for burial dasmpness/water will not enter) that can be fitted to over existing pipes without having to cut the pipes?

If not here is my proposal: rake out beneath the pipes, build a plywood box around the pipes, pump expanding foam into the box.

This is in the beleife that the expanding foam is closed, that is water can not travel from outside to inside.

I would appreciate any comments and suggestions.

Peter

BSS do an underground pre-insulated pipe that is perfect for the job, expensive but good.

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Scruff,

Is there anything I can do to existing pipes without having to cut them? I wish to disturb as little as possible.

Thank you,

Peter

A very thick insulation "Armaflex" for example then wrapped in a waterproof material may help a bit.

Not sure what reaction you will get from copper and expanding foam.

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New proposal: Slip Tubolit which I think is made by Armaflex around the pipe then box it in and inject the expanding foam in stages. Hoping that the Tubolit will compress down and absorb some of the pressure on the copper pipe. I am going to go the the plumbers to see if I can get Tubolit for the 25mm pipe, then Tubolit to go over the Tubolit....

Is this any better?

Thanks,

Peter

Armaflex is a higher spec than tuberlite, again BSS do a very high spec one.

the lagging and foam sounds a good idea if its water proof, make a 3 sided box and fill it in.

What sort of distance are you talking.

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Distance is approx 1m

Peter

Nothing outrageous then.

Tuberlite and a can of foam, perhaps laying a plastic sheet 3-4" under the pipes and wrapping it over the top of the foam when it starts to goes off

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Thank you for your help.

If you have any further thoughts I would like to hear them.

Peter

Best to post a pic when you have the pipes exposed.

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