Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in steps,
over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace the water supply
line. I currently have a copper line that runs about 30' from the
crock/connection point under ground, to the connection point under my home
( that is about 30' is exposed to the air.) Because I live in Michigan the
water line has a heat tape on it to prevent winter freeze up. The new line
they will be installing is plastic and it will have a new heat tape
installed on it. My question is isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape
right up against plastic tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

wrote in message
...
Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in steps,
over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace the water
supply
line. I currently have a copper line that runs about 30' from the
crock/connection point under ground, to the connection point under my home
( that is about 30' is exposed to the air.) Because I live in Michigan the
water line has a heat tape on it to prevent winter freeze up. The new
line
they will be installing is plastic and it will have a new heat tape
installed on it. My question is isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape
right up against plastic tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

Codes will vary with locale. Plastic is not legal for main supply line
here. I think some of the newer heat tapes are approved for plastic pipe.
Not sure I trust the pipe or the tape as a personal opinion.


Colbyt

wrote:
Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in
steps, over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace the
water supply line. I currently have a copper line that runs about 30'
from the crock/connection point under ground, to the connection point
under my home ( that is about 30' is exposed to the air.) Because I
live in Michigan the water line has a heat tape on it to prevent
winter freeze up. The new line they will be installing is plastic
and it will have a new heat tape installed on it. My question is
isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape right up against plastic
tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

Looks like at least one maufacturer makes a heat tape that can be used
on PVC.

http://www.tycothermal.com/assets/No...53585_0403.pdf

Safe on plastic pipes.
Raychem heating cables can be used on plastic as well as metal pipes.
Their self-regulating heating core adjusts automatically, to protect
against overheating or developing hot spots when overlapped or covered
with insulation.

wrote:
Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in
steps, over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace the
water supply line. I currently have a copper line that runs about 30'
from the crock/connection point under ground, to the connection point
under my home ( that is about 30' is exposed to the air.) Because I
live in Michigan the water line has a heat tape on it to prevent
winter freeze up. The new line they will be installing is plastic
and it will have a new heat tape installed on it. My question is
isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape right up against plastic
tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

Not if installed right see http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/article9.htm
Plastic bet its black and comes in huge rolls
if so this is less likely to burst from freezing then anything else

"Spud" wrote:
wrote:
Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in
steps, over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace the
water supply line. I currently have a copper line that runs about 30'
from the crock/connection point under ground, to the connection point
under my home ( that is about 30' is exposed to the air.) Because I
live in Michigan the water line has a heat tape on it to prevent
winter freeze up. The new line they will be installing is plastic
and it will have a new heat tape installed on it. My question is
isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape right up against plastic
tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

Not if installed right see http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/article9.htm
Plastic bet its black and comes in huge rolls
if so this is less likely to burst from freezing then anything else

The tubing is semi-clear/white. I have a bad feeling about this whole
thing .... I don't understand why they are replacing the suppy line in the
first place. I would think it would make more sense to just cut the line,
and install the meter. The new supply line does have a larger diameter
though....

-PHIL-

wrote:
"Spud" wrote:
wrote:
Hi all:

I live in a manufactured home community, about 900 homes. Under new
ownership we are being switched from well water, to city water. Yaa!

Over the next few weeks all the homes will be having a water meter
installled. They are starting the job on my home now (it's done in
steps, over a few days.) I noticed that their plan is to replace
the water supply line. I currently have a copper line that runs
about 30' from the crock/connection point under ground, to the
connection point under my home ( that is about 30' is exposed to
the air.) Because I live in Michigan the water line has a heat tape
on it to prevent winter freeze up. The new line they will be
installing is plastic and it will have a new heat tape installed on
it. My question is isn't it a bad idea to use a heat tape right up
against plastic tubing?? I can imagine it will soon melt.

Thanks for input, PHIL

Not if installed right see
http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/article9.htm


The tubing is semi-clear/white. I have a bad feeling about this whole
thing .... I don't understand why they are replacing the suppy line
in the first place. I would think it would make more sense to just
cut the line, and install the meter. The new supply line does have a
larger diameter though....

-PHIL-


PEX
It can stretch to accommodate the expansion of freezing water and then
return to its original size when water thaws