Heat Tape & Pipe Freeze Protection in Grand Junction, CO
Heat cable and insulation to keep exposed water lines from freezing in crawlspaces, garages, outbuildings and exterior walls.
Frozen pipes cost far more than preventing them. GPS Plumbing & Mechanical installs and replaces heat tape (also called heat cable or heat trace) and insulation on water lines that are exposed to the cold in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Clifton and across Mesa County.
The goal is simple: keep a vulnerable pipe above freezing during the coldest nights. The right product and the right install depend on the pipe, where it runs and what it is made of, so we look at the actual piping before recommending anything.
Serving Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Clifton, Delta, Montrose, and the rest of Mesa County.
What's included
- Heat tape and heat cable installation on water lines
- Replacing old, damaged or failed heat tape
- Thermostat-controlled and self-regulating cable
- Pipe insulation over heat cable
- Protection for crawlspace, garage, shop and exterior lines
- Pre-winter inspection of existing freeze protection
Signs you need this
- Pipes that have frozen or split in the past
- Water lines that run through a crawlspace, garage, attic or exterior wall
- A line to an outbuilding, shop or barn
- Old heat tape that is cracked, brittle, scorched or more than a few years old
- Water that slows to a trickle on the coldest nights
- Pipes that feel very cold to the touch near a vent or draft
Where pipes freeze in Grand Valley homes
Winter nights in Grand Junction average around 17°F in January, and cold snaps go well below that. Pipes freeze where cold air reaches them and where water sits still.
- Crawlspaces with vents, missing insulation or open access panels
- Garages and shops, especially water lines along exterior walls or near the overhead door
- Exterior walls with little insulation, particularly kitchen and bath supply lines under sinks
- Attics and unheated utility rooms
- Underground and exterior lines to outbuildings barns and hose bibs
- Mobile homes and older homes with exposed lines under the floor
Water expands when it freezes, and a pipe usually splits where ice has built up. The leak often appears when the ice thaws, which is why a damaged pipe may not show until the weather warms.
How heat tape works
Heat tape is an electric cable that runs along the pipe and is covered with insulation. There are three common types.
- Self-regulating cable increases or decreases its heat output based on the temperature along the cable. It is generally considered the safest and most efficient option for most home uses.
- Constant-wattage cable gives off the same heat along its whole length and is usually paired with a thermostat. It must never overlap itself.
- Thermostat-controlled kits switch on only when the temperature drops near freezing, saving power.
The best choice depends on the pipe length, the pipe material, whether the pipe is in a wet or dry location and the available power. Heat tape is meant to be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, on the right pipe, with the right insulation over it. A good product used the wrong way can be less safe than no heat tape at all.
Safety and what to inspect each fall
Old heat tape is a common problem. Cable that has been in place for years can crack, dry out or scorch, and a thermostat can stick. Check it every fall before the first hard freeze.
- Plug it in and confirm that it warms up along its length
- Look for cracked, scorched, brittle or kinked cable and damaged insulation
- Make sure the cable is not overlapped, unless the product allows it
- Confirm that the cable is rated for the pipe type, and that it was installed to the manufacturer's directions
- Use a grounded outlet, preferably GFCI protected, and avoid daisy-chaining extension cords
- Replace anything damaged instead of taping it up
Heat tape also does not replace good building practices. Seal air gaps in crawlspaces, insulate the pipes and keep the heat on when you travel.
Related help for the cold season
Freeze protection works best as a set of small steps. Disconnect hoses and drain outdoor lines each fall (see faucets and hose bibs), drain and shut off the cooler water line (see winterizing your cooler), and read our guide to preventing frozen pipes. If a pipe has already split, shut off the water and see leak repair. If lines keep freezing in the same place, a permanent fix, such as rerouting or replacing that run, may be better than relying on cable every winter.
What affects the price
Prices depend on the details, so we don't quote blind. Every job gets a free written estimate before any work starts, so you know the cost up front. Diagnostics are free in the Grand Valley. Outside the Grand Valley, a $79.99 service call fee covers locations up to 50 miles from Grand Junction, plus $2 per one-way mile beyond that. The $79.99 is credited toward the work if you go ahead with the repair; the additional mileage is not credited. Here's what usually drives the cost:
- The length of pipe to protect and how easy it is to reach
- The kind of cable: self-regulating, constant-wattage or thermostat-controlled
- The pipe material and whether insulation is needed over the cable
- Whether a new outlet, GFCI or electrical work is required
How it works
Call or request service
Tell us what is going on and we will get you on the schedule.
We diagnose & quote
We diagnose the problem on site and give you a free written estimate.
We do the work
We complete the job, walk you through what we did, and warranty our labor for one year.
Heat Tape & Pipe Freeze Protection questions
What is heat tape?
Heat tape, or heat cable, is an electric cable that wraps along a water pipe and gives off a small amount of heat to keep it from freezing. Most is covered in insulation. It is a freeze-protection tool, not a way to heat water.
Is heat tape safe?
When it is the right product, installed to the manufacturer's directions, and in good condition, yes. Problems come from old or damaged cable, overlapping cable that should not overlap, using the wrong type on plastic pipe, or plugging it into an overloaded or ungrounded outlet. Follow the manufacturer's directions for insulation and clearances.
How long does heat tape last?
It varies by product and conditions, but cable that is cracked, brittle, scorched or that no longer warms up should be replaced. Test it each fall before the cold arrives.
Does heat tape work during a power outage?
No. Heat tape needs electricity. Insulation helps slow freezing during an outage, and in a long cold outage you may need to drain the lines or let a faucet drip.
Is heat tape better than insulation?
They work together. Insulation alone only slows heat loss and will not stop a pipe from freezing in a long cold snap. Cable adds heat, and insulation over it keeps that heat in.
Can heat tape go on plastic pipe such as PEX or PVC?
Some products can and some cannot. Use only a cable rated for the pipe material, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. This is one reason to have it installed properly.
Is the work warranted?
Our labor is warranted for one year. Parts and equipment are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. We do not cover or offer a warranty on customer-supplied material or equipment.
Get a free estimate
Free written estimates for heat tape & pipe freeze protection, straight answers, and a licensed contractor who shows up when promised.