how to insulate this situation best?
While re-doing things, I had to move the hot and cold water pipes for my washer to next to this exterior brick wall along with its drain and vent pipe. Obviously, this is not ideal since there is the possibility of freezing. Adding to that threat is that my dryer vent pipe is right below…
While re-doing things, I had to move the hot and cold water pipes for my washer to next to this exterior brick wall along with its drain and vent pipe. Obviously, this is not ideal since there is the possibility of freezing. Adding to that threat is that my dryer vent pipe is right below all this so this is an wall opening to the outside, though I’ve tried to seal that up with spray foam to avoid drafts.
I was going to spray foam (i.e. Real Good Stuff) the entire mess of pipes and surrounding area and then close it up with drywall- is that a bad idea for any reason?
I also considered wrapping the water pipes with that styrofoam-y pipe insulation (pictured bottom left) and then spray foaming everything, but would that leave room for air to make its way in and freeze anything? I figured it would make it easier to get to the pipes if I ever needed to since the spray foam would be on that instead of directly on the pipe.
Also, there is only about 1-2″ between the water pipes and the brick. If it helps any, I also already tried to caulk any small cracks in the mortar where a draft might get through.
Any suggestions/advice?
What Bklnite said. If you are leaving it open like that, the ambient heat in the room will keep the pipes from freezing. If you can wrap the feed pipes with the insulation, that should give you the peace of mind.
I had a problem years ago in Philly where there was a chase against an exterior wall. I opened a 12″ x 12″ hole in the drywall and put a register cover over it and the room air now heats the chase sufficiently to ever keep the pipes from freezing.
I’m no expert, but if the room with the washer has any heat at all and you don’t have to wear a down parka when doing your laundry you may not need to be so concerned about freezing pipes. If you insulate the wall, openings around the vent, pipes the best you can you should be ok.
I would consider an access panel rather than closing it up with drywall – gives a finished enough look to the wall, but lets you get back at the plumbing if the need arises.