MDPE Pipework - Lag or Not to Lag..

[Ukjay]

Hi

As I am currently installing a complete new feed water system into the barn (Metal Clad Single Skin, Steel Frame Structure no insulation. Roof is the Metal Clad - Anti Drip Coated), whereby I was wondering what others have done in respect of winter protection if anything.

Is there a preferred method for this kind of pipework, as it is the first time I have used MDPE in this manner?

Edit - this is for Horses, so stalled up individually, and the pipework has to be surface mounted as it is existing barn unfortunately.

 

[Pan mixer]

Is the shed going to be full of cattle or pigs in the winter?

Mine are, I don't bother insulating in the pigsheds and am mostly OK, if it freezes it isn't that bad as it is never quite so cold in the sheds as it is outside in a freezing Nor-Easterly that we get so often in coastal Essex.

In the cattle sheds it will freeze more readily, my latest shed has a rising main of MDPE about 18 inches long up to the troughs, it is shielded by steelwork to prevent damage, in the middle run of the shed and it definitely needs straw wrapped round it - ie stuffed in between the steel shielding and the pipes to prevent freezing.

My theory is - to have as little pipework above ground as possible - it is in sleeves below the slabs, and then figure out some way of keeping that little bit warmish, I have tried a trace heater but maintenance, cost, ifrequency of use etc would put me off doing it again.

 

[upnortheast]

This stuff is the dog`s watsits if your pipes are in danger of freezing.
Tape it to the pipe. put on insulation, plug it in & forget.

14 Mtr Pack of Self Regulating Pipe Heat Tape c/w 13amp Plug | BN Thermic (PW-14)

Other lengths available.
Other suppliers available !

 

[Lazy Sod]

The only trouble I've had is with a right angle fitting being pushed off due to linear expansion A straight run of about 30' high up in a tin clad barn.

 

[Ukjay]

Is the shed going to be full of cattle or pigs in the winter?

Mine are, I don't bother insulating in the pigsheds and am mostly OK, if it freezes it isn't that bad as it is never quite so cold in the sheds as it is outside in a freezing Nor-Easterly that we get so often in coastal Essex.

In the cattle sheds it will freeze more readily, my latest shed has a rising main of MDPE about 18 inches long up to the troughs, it is shielded by steelwork to prevent damage, in the middle run of the shed and it definitely needs straw wrapped round it - ie stuffed in between the steel shielding and the pipes to prevent freezing.

My theory is - to have as little pipework above ground as possible - it is in sleeves below the slabs, and then figure out some way of keeping that little bit warmish, I have tried a trace heater but maintenance, cost, ifrequency of use etc would put me off doing it again.

Ah, I should have noted that it is for Nags. I was not fortunate enough to have designed the barn, otherwise I would have done sub teranian feeds to all stalls, then as you mention the smallest amount open to barn temperature.

 

[Ukjay]

This stuff is the dog`s watsits if your pipes are in danger of freezing.
Tape it to the pipe. put on insulation, plug it in & forget.

14 Mtr Pack of Self Regulating Pipe Heat Tape c/w 13amp Plug | BN Thermic (PW-14)

Other lengths available.
Other suppliers available !

I have looked into that in previous stables, but the lengths involved make it a bit of a mare with nags and individual drinkers.

 

[Ukjay]

The only trouble I've had is with a right angle fitting being pushed off due to linear expansion A straight run of about 30' high up in a tin clad barn.

I believe the previous owners never lagged any of the other MDPE outside pipes, hence why I asked as it allegedly gets cold in Wales

Was thinking of some of that Wool Pipe wrap if it is any good - as it is Fire Retardant and a Natural Insulator - just cant find how low a temperature it can protect against?

 

[simmy_bull]

Is there no way of burying the pipes? What about going round the outside of the shed and popping up inside where you need it? I know it would be a lot more work but I think you’d curse “open air” pipes if temps drop. Even with cladding I would think they’d freeze if it was fairly cold.

 

[br jones]

Mdpe will not freeze btill it gets to -5 ish

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Where in wales? You usually don’t see the cold temps.

i would be tempted to risk it and accept that one year in 8 you may have to Do a bit of hand watering

fit a few more isolation taps

 

[Lazy Sod]

I have a straight overhead run of about 30'. When we had continous day and night frost during the winter before last, the right angle fitting at one end was pushed off just enough to cause a slight leak. When installing the pipe I provided drain down points at both ends, but on this occasion I forgot to turn off and drain down soon enough. After the thaw, I slackened the fitting and pushed it fully back on.

If the pipe run had consisted of several shorter pieces with right angle fittings between them, it would have probable been all right. The supply is only to my workshop sink that I only use now and then, so a period being turned off is of no real inconvenience. If the OP's pipe is for watering stock, then lagging might be a good idea.

Edit. I hadn't realised I that I'd already replied to this thread.

 

[Ukjay]

Is there no way of burying the pipes? What about going round the outside of the shed and popping up inside where you need it? I know it would be a lot more work but I think you’d curse “open air” pipes if temps drop. Even with cladding I would think they’d freeze if it was fairly cold.

Sadly that was my first thought but got over ruled - so had to be done internally.. Maybe if things get cold - I may get my way

 

[Ukjay]

Where in wales? You usually don’t see the cold temps.

i would be tempted to risk it and accept that one year in 8 you may have to Do a bit of hand watering

fit a few more isolation taps

Monmouthshire

 

[Ukjay]

I have a straight overhead run of about 30'. When we had continous day and night frost during the winter before last, the right angle fitting at one end was pushed off just enough to cause a slight leak. When installing the pipe I provided drain down points at both ends, but on this occasion I forgot to turn off and drain down soon enough. After the thaw, I slackened the fitting and pushed it fully back on.

If the pipe run had consisted of several shorter pieces with right angle fittings between them, it would have probable been all right. The supply is only to my workshop sink that I only use now and then, so a period being turned off is of no real inconvenience. If the OP's pipe is for watering stock, then lagging might be a good idea.

Is used for all the water troughs for the Horses in the stables.. I know, the animal most farmers loathe..

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Monmouthshire

hardly wales!?

when did you last have -5 for a few days?

i would risk it

 

[Will Blackburn]

Best thing we did was to lag the length of pipe in a shed before it gets to the cattle shed. It used to get chilled then easily freeze in the cattle shed. Now it’s relatively warm when it gets to the shed and takes a lot more cold to freeze it. Generally it’s running except when the cows are collected for milking which is when the lowest temperatures are in the morning and the damage is done.

 

[Ukjay]

hardly wales!?

when did you last have -5 for a few days?

i would risk it

Once you go past the sign with dual language, Wales is Wales is it not...

But, not been here long - only since March, so unable to say personally as no winter yet, however, the neighbours have said it gets quite cold here, and they have been stuck in.

 

[Forever Fendt]

I would be more concerned about the hos getting hold of it or rubbing there arses on it and damaging it rather than freezing

 

[Ukjay]

I would be more concerned about the hos getting hold of it or rubbing there arses on it and damaging it rather than freezing

Fortunately to high to rub there fat asses on it

 

[tomlad]

Ive had over head alcathene freeze up in shed ,
Supplies a static which i thought the problem was under the static
After hours under there with electric hot fan finally got brave and took fitting off, no bloomin flow because its frozen 60 yards back.
Was not happy not alot of room under static , cold winter blowing, took me 10 minutes to finally undo the gland , waiting for the uve been framed moment when i got soaked.

Never even occurred that it wasn't insulated in the shed , would have supplied cows along time ago .

Lag it heavily and hope for best i guess.