It’s no surprise that certain winter storms can cause massive amounts of damage. At least ten such storms have each caused over $2 billion in damage since 1980.

One of the ways these types of cold weather storms cause damage is through frozen pipes that burst. These burst pipes can be hard to find. Not only that they can leave lasting water damage all around the house.

So, how can you prevent this from happening in your home or business? One method is through electric heat tracing. If you want to learn more about this method of keeping pipes warm, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about it, as well as why it’s important. Let’s get started!

What Is Electric Heat Tracing? 

Electric heat tracing is a popular method of keeping the temperature of pipes at a consistent or high temperature. To do this, it utilizes insulation and electricity to ensure that all pipes and tanks stay at the ideal temperature that doesn’t result in any loss in efficiency. So, how does it work? It all starts with a power source for the cables.

A special tape is then used to connect the electron heat tracing cables to the pipe. Once attached both the pipes and the cables are covered with an insulating jacket used to prevent any heat from escaping. Once it’s installed, the temperature of the pipes can be controlled using a simple thermostat-like device. 

Why Is It Important?

As we mentioned earlier, frozen pipes are a serious hazard to many buildings. Unfortunately, many people that live in areas with relatively warm weather think that they don’t need to protect against it.

Then, when a serious storm hits they are caught completely unprotected. In this way, electric heat tracing acts as a kind of insurance system for the pipes you’re trying to protect. It ensures that if there are any freezing temperatures, then you will be safe. The importance of electric heat tracing isn’t confined to plumbing either.

Its vitality also extends to crucial electric systems that are exposed to the elements. For example, check out this article on how the lack of heat tracing played a part in the recent Texas power outages. It can also be installed around sidewalks, patios, or other walking areas as a melting system when too much snow occurs. 

Want More Content?

We hope this article helped you learn more about electric heat tracing. As you can see, this type of heated insulation is vital if you want to keep your pipes and internal systems safe from water damage.

As such, if you live in an area that’s prone to cold weather, then you should try and get it installed as soon as possible. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics you’re sure to love.