Double wrapping pipes?

My basement has 1/2″ thick insulation on the main (maybe 2.5″) steampipes-  I heard from some people that it should be more like 1″ or more thick to really insulate them well and prevent heat loss. Instead of removing all the 1/2″ stuff and replacing it with 1″ thick pieces (which seems wasteful and costly), could I just buy more 1/2″ thick stuff and wrap it over the existing 1/2″ thick insulation for a total of 1″ thickness? Or does it need to be one solid piece of 1″ thick to do the job right? Steam pros, let me know!

stickerhappy

in Heating 13 years and 6 months ago

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Jonathan | 13 years and 2 months ago

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If you have 1/2″ fiberglass, leave what you have on, and add “oversize” pipe insulation at 1/2″ thick on top.  There is no reason to remove the 1/2″ and then add new 1″ thick, that is a waste.  Im sure the people at a metro insulation supply house can help get you the correct material.

BHS | 13 years and 6 months ago

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are the elbows insulated already? if not, that’d be a good place to start.

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 6 months ago

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If it’s 1/2″ Fiberglas insulation you’ve got then I’d leave it alone. If it’s the black or gray foam stuff, then I’d start over. If you don’t like that answer then, yes, you can put 1/2″ insulation over your existing 1/2″ insulation.