Insulating water pipes

[Jerry Bruette]

I have some galvanized water lines in my cabin that get condensation on them and then it drips onto the floor. I tried insulating with foam rubber but I can't do the elbows and unions. Would painting these fittings with Plasti-Dip help keep them from sweating? Or does anyone know of something that can be brushed on to help insulate?

[Bill Dufour]

Buy some insulation one size bigger for the joints. Miter as needed just for the joints. You can buy pre made elbows etc for about $2.00 each.
Bill D.

starts about one minute in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU7nh3z9zKk

[Tom M King]

The foam pieces are available for elbows. I would think for tee's too, but I've never looked for any. If they aren't available for tee's, they could be made from two elbow covers. Lowes sells it.

edited to add: I just checked Lowes website, and they do sell them for tee's too.

[Matt Day]

Cut the foam at a 45 and they’ll make the elbow.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

In our new house, the water is almost 40 ft from the master bathroom. Took for ever to get hot water to the shower. I put foam insulation on the pipes and the hot water gets there is about 2/3 of the old time. Guess heating up the pipes and surrounding air was taking just too much.

[Lee Schierer]

They make some self adhesive foam tape (https://www.supplyhouse.com/DiversiTech-6-9718-1-8-x-2-x-30-Ft-Black-Foam-Insulation-Tape?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInP3KvvO_3gIVAr7ACh0Qxgz_EAQ YBCABEgJXZvD_BwE) for doing water lines.

[Jerry Bruette]

They make some self adhesive foam tape (https://www.supplyhouse.com/DiversiTech-6-9718-1-8-x-2-x-30-Ft-Black-Foam-Insulation-Tape?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInP3KvvO_3gIVAr7ACh0Qxgz_EAQ YBCABEgJXZvD_BwE) for doing water lines.

This might be a good option, wraps to any shape and as thick as I want.

[Jason Roehl]

I can tell you this: if your water lines are carrying water that is below the dew point temperature of the air around them, they will sweat. Insulation will stop this if it is perfectly done. If you have even a pinhole in your insulation, water will build up in any gaps between the insulation and the piping it finds.

How do I know this? I work maintenance in a building with MILES of chilled water piping for cooling the building--the propylene glycol solution in them enters the building at 45ºF. Any exposed pipe sweats almost year-round.