When a heat tape fails, the pipes can freeze in a mobile home.
Heat tape is used in manufactured homes to keep the water pipes from freezing in cold temperatures. The heat tape is connected directly to the water pipes and, if it breaks or stops working in the wintertime, your pipes can easily freeze. The only fix for this problem is to replace the heat tape. One preventative measure may include installing an alarm that is attached directly to the heat tape, but this will only prevent pipes from freezing if an individual is home when the heat tape fails and is able to quickly replace the heat tape before the pipes freeze. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Unplug the old heat tape. Carefully cut away the old vapor barrier and insulation with a sharp utility knife to remove the original heat tape. If your manufactured home is connected with a plastic type of waterline, make sure the heat tape you get can be used for this (read package instructions). Fasten the waterline according to the manufacturer directions.
2. Check the heat tape to make sure it is fastened correctly to the water pipe. Wrap insulation around the heat tape by starting at one end until you reach the other end. Wrap insulation in the same manner, starting from the opposite direction, over the vapor barrier.
3. Make sure there is water in the water lines by checking to see if the city connection is turned on at the valve and where it enters the home. Plug the heat tape in. Try the water to make sure everything was hooked up properly (if so, you should have running water).
Tags: heat tape, heat tape, make sure, from freezing, heat tape fails
