How do I test my plumbing heat tape?

Switch the power source back on to the heat tape. Feel along the length of the heat tape. It should be getting warm. If the heat tape fails to warm up, after 10 minutes, the thermostat or the heat tape itself is bad.

How do you test heat strips?

Pull the heat strip’s wires off of the round disks. Turn the multimeter to the ohms setting. Test the heat strip for continuity. If the heat strip does not have continuity, then replace the heat strip.

How long does it take heat tape to warm up?

Lay the plastic bag of ice over the heat tape thermostat. Allow it to set for 30 minutes. This amount of time will be sufficient to drop the temperature of the thermostat below 40 degrees F.

What causes heat strips to stay on?

Your heat sequencer is bad or your white thermostat wire is touching the red thermostat wire somewhere from point A thermostat to point B furnace. When a heat call comes from the thermostat this sequencer is energized causing the two sides to bridge and power to be sent to the strips.

What to look for when installing heat tape?

Be sure to periodically inspect a heat tape installation, keeping an eye out for leaks in the pipe or frays in the heating cable. Some manufacturers call for the use of pipe insulation, at least in part to protect the heat tape from damage; others do not.

What does heat tape do to a pipe?

Rather, it’s a type of electrical cable that, when wrapped around or snaked through a pipe, applies a controlled amount of heat to prevent freezing. “If in the past you’ve had issues with certain pipes freezing—in the crawl space or attic, underground or outdoors—it’s only prudent to take steps to prevent a recurrence,” O’Brian explains.

Where is the thermostat on electric heat tape?

Secure the top of the bag so it will close. Locate the in-line thermostat on the heat tape. The thermostat will be near the plug-in end of the heat tape, and mounted to the water pipe. Lay the plastic bag of ice over the heat tape thermostat. Allow it to set for 30 minutes.

How much heat tape do you need for a water line?

The proper amount of heat tape, or braiding, needed to wrap around your water lines at a 6″ to 8″ interval. You can make heat installation easier by preplanning and making sure you have everything you’re going to need before you crawl under the home. Pre-cut the tape, ties or straps you’re using to attach the heat tape to the pipe.

How much heat tape do you need to put around plumbing pipe?

Before you go to the store, measure to determine how much heat tape you need to buy. If you plan to wrap the tape in a spiral fashion around the pipe, the length of the tape will need to be considerably longer than the plumbing pipe. Carefully install the heat tape according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

What happens if heating tape is torn or damaged?

Foreign material inhibits heat transfer and liquid can damage select models of heating tape (i.e. HighTemperature Heating Tapes). Make a visual inspection of heating tape: We recommend that you replace the heating tape if it becomes torn or damaged. Damaged heating tape is a safety hazard and will not operate correctly.

What’s the best way to put heat tape on a water line?

The second method is to spirally wrap the heat tape around the water line in short intervals. This is a better installation method if your water lines are verticle and exposed to the elements on more than one side. In the image below you can see the light green line running parallel to the pipe.