What Are the Dangers of Heat Tape With Hot Water?

• Applying heat tape to hot water pipes is dangerous. Andrew Howe/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Heat tape is a self-adhesive strip containing a conductor that is wrapped around water pipes and plugged into the wall. The purpose of heat tape is to keep pipes from freezing and bursting. Heat tape is particularly useful in mobile homes or homes where inbound pipes are located in an area that is not easily heated. Heat tape should only be used on pipes that are vulnerable to freezing.

Overheated Heat Tape May Cause a Fire

• Heat tape is usually made of some sort of mesh material containing an electrical conductor. Two settings are used for heat tape: on and off. When the heat tape is plugged in, it will warm itself to the limits of the conductor. Adding heat to the tape via hot water inside the pipe or hot air outside the pipe will overheat the tape with potential for a fire.

Heat Tape on Hot Water Pipes May Result in Scalding Hot Water

• The temperature of water through hot water pipes is controlled by the water heater. If the water heater is set to an acceptable temperature and heat tape is applied to the hot water pipe, the water temperature will be elevated to a dangerous level. Furthermore, heat tape will not heat water in a pipe in a predictable fashion. Heat tape is not a safe remedy for a broken or weak water heater.

Overheated Pipes May Rupture

• Heat tape on a hot water pipe may overheat the pipe, resulting in a rupture. The rupture of an over-heated pipe is particularly dangerous because the water may be scalding hot. If a hot water pipe ruptures, the water shutoff valve must be engaged immediately. If heat tape is near the water rupture, an electrical fire may ensue. Therefore, you should cut off the electricity to the heat tape via a circuit breaker or fuse box. Never walk across standing water near an open electrical source.