external water pipes and insulation thereof

[ozzo]

Hi All, Got myself a van conversion recently :dance: and am rather concerned about the hot and cold water pipes that have been routed underneath the van so they are exposed to all the elements. So, I was wondering how best to make the situation better especially as I will be wanting to use the van during this winter. I was thinking of normal pipe lagging and then wrapping in say gaffer tape to help keep the lagging dry OR is there a better solution i.e. a spray solution that will build up OR and I just better trying to re-route inside between the van sides and internal furniture etc?

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 12539]

I was underneath my 'van yesterday and noticed both my hot and cold water pipes (lagged with domestic pipe lagging and tie wrapped) and blown air heating ducts fixed to the underside of the van.
I have had the van 2 years now and not had 'problems' with pipes splitting due to the extreme cold (winter 2009/10), and we have used the van during these cold periods, so I can only assume that the lagging is sufficient to do the job, but as has already been said, it would be better to 'winterise' your van by ensuring your pipes and tank are out of the cold inside the vehicle if possible.:idea-007:

 

[Deleted member 3011]

If the temperature only drops below freezing for an hour or two, then decent insulation on all the external pipes may be enough to stop the water freezing, but if it is below freezing for hours and little warmer during the day, then lagging by itself will not stop the pipes from freezing. You will need lagging AND trace heating as well.

Pipes don't have to be outside to freeze either. My Hobby, a fairly cold-weather capable motorhome, had one hose routed next to the fibreglass wheel arch and it froze solid overnight despite having the heating on. Wouldn't thaw either and I had to dismantle half the kitchen to get at it. It was the pump suction line so no water anywhere once it froze.