Guide on how to soundproof pipes

How to soundproof pipes, guide with pipe insulation products
Transportation of air, water, or matter, through pipes, tubes and ducts can produce a considerable amount of noise. In this guide we explain in a few simple steps how to soundproof a pipe and which insulation products to use, and of course how to use them. This guide will especially appeal to people who want to insulate PVC pipes, because these pipe are relatively lightweight and radiate lots of noise. With our range of pipe insulation products this noise problem can easily be reduced to an acceptable level.

What you need to soundproof and insulate a pipe
In order to insulate pipes, tubes or ducts you can choose between two pipe insulation wraps, Merfowrap Leaded and Merfowrap Aluminated (Merfisol). The biggest difference between these pipe insulation products is the composition and flame retardant. You can read more about the specifications on the individual product pages, a brief description of both products:

• Merfowrap Leaded
  This pipe insulation is build up with three layers: condensation reducing top layer, a thin layer of lead, as a soundproofing core, and a 10 mm thick insulation foam. The advantage of a lead core is, next to soundproofing, that it makes wrapping and insulating a pipe easier.
• Merfowrap Aluminated
  Just as the product above, this insulation product also consists of three layers: an aluminium insulating top layer, mass loaded vinyl core for soundproofing, and 10 mm of acoustic foam. The exception here is a more fire proof and thermal insulating product.

How to soundproof pipes, the guide
Both of our pipe insulation products are so called pipe wrappings. Sheets are rolled up in a box, and measures 2 x 1 meter, and are about 12 to 13 mm thick. Good to know when sewer pipes for example are close to a wall or ceiling. Since you fold and wrap these products, gluing is not necessary. With the Insulation Tapes pipe insulation is easy to install. 

We recommend to wrap the insulation products twice around an air duct or PVC pipe, at least in the bends and curves, for an optimal result. Especially in the bends, where gasses and water collide, is where the most noise is produced. Finish the seams with the type of Tape that best fits the product. 

• Step 1
  Calculate the required insulation. In order to know how much pipe insulation you need for the job, calculate the circumference and length of the pipe (the circumference is 3.14 x the diameter). Keep in mind to cover the bends twice. Of course, the best result is a double wrapping of the entire pipe, tube or air duct. 
• Step 2
  Ideally the insulation is mounted underneath the mounting brackets of the pipe. This reduces the risk of sound leaks. Check if the brackets allow for the extra space of the insulation sheets, about 20 mm in total. 
• Step 3
  Cut the sheets to size with a sharp hobby knife. Make the parts about 5 cm larger to provide for an overlap. This also prevents sound leaks. Tip: make molds out of paper for bends and curves so that these parts fit perfectly, again, to prevent sound leaks.
  
• Step 4
  Wrap the insulation sheets around the pipe, knead and shape while wrapping, so that the product is applied nice and tightly around the pipe
• Step 5
  Mount the pipe insulation with the use of our tapes. Wrap the tape twice around the insulation, every other 40 cm, and tape the seems in the length of the pipe as well.
  
• Step 6
  Place the mounting brackets back over the insulation. The pipe is now insulated and somewhat decoupled from the wall or ceiling, reducing impact noise, as well as airborne sound.

The end result
Soundproofing reduces sound or noise, in most cases our guide and pipe insulation provide excellent results. One step further is soundproofing a ceiling, wall or cove. In the image below for example there is enough space to do so. Provide empty or hollow spaces with Cotton Wool insulation, and close the ceiling or wall up with plasterboard. 

Questions? 
Do you have any questions about this topic? Please contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions as soon as possible.