Difference between revisions of "Heat Tape"
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'''Heat Tape''' is a device that is used to warm up water lines so that they do not freeze during the winter. | '''Heat Tape''' is a device that is used to warm up water lines and sewage lines so that they do not freeze during the winter. | ||
'''The name <font color="red">"Heat Tape"</font> is a misleading term, as it is not really tape, but rather a cord.''' | |||
I feel the need to stress this fact, as many new home owners do not understand the term, nor do they understand why they may need it. | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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Heat tape is ''warm.'' It should never be hot, and when you touch it, it should give off a dull throbbing feeling. It is important to note that heat tape should never glow like the elements inside a toaster. If your heat tape is doing that, your house is probably on fire. | Heat tape is ''warm.'' It should never be hot, and when you touch it, it should give off a dull throbbing feeling. It is important to note that heat tape should never glow like the elements inside a toaster. If your heat tape is doing that, your house is probably on fire. | ||
Heat tape usually hovers around 60 degrees F. It should also maintain that temperature no matter what the conditions the weather may throw at it. Unfortunately, when the world plunges below -20° everything can go wonky and there are no promises that anything will work, including you. |
Revision as of 23:56, 15 January 2024
Heat Tape is a device that is used to warm up water lines and sewage lines so that they do not freeze during the winter.
The name "Heat Tape" is a misleading term, as it is not really tape, but rather a cord.
I feel the need to stress this fact, as many new home owners do not understand the term, nor do they understand why they may need it.
Description
Heat tape is an electrical cord that can be sheathed in black plastic, orange plastic, or a steel mesh. There are older forms of heat tape that are blue or yellow, but if you run into that stuff, chances are it isn't working.
Additionally, heat tape has a 3 pronged plug so that it can be connected to the home's electrical system, usually at a GFCI plug. On the other end of the plug is usually a cap that is glued into place when the heat tape is installed.
Heat tape is warm. It should never be hot, and when you touch it, it should give off a dull throbbing feeling. It is important to note that heat tape should never glow like the elements inside a toaster. If your heat tape is doing that, your house is probably on fire.
Heat tape usually hovers around 60 degrees F. It should also maintain that temperature no matter what the conditions the weather may throw at it. Unfortunately, when the world plunges below -20° everything can go wonky and there are no promises that anything will work, including you.