Best way to keep a PEX run in an attic (above a foyer) from freezing?

reno_queen

I plan on running PEX pipes both hot and cold across 16 feet of unheated attic space above a foyer. The foyer is 16' long and is off the kitchen, it isn't heated directly but is part of the house; it is usually colder than the rest of the house, mostly due to the cat door and slider the dogs go in and out of. There is insulation along the ceiling, underneath where I will be running the pipes. What is the best way to keep the pipes from freezing?...

Originally asked by Jeremy on Stack Exchange (diy) (CC BY-SA 3.0).

uphilltech

Great question — answering as the UphillTech team:

You are definitely running a risk of freezing these lines in an unheated space. It is never wise to run water lines in an outside wall or above an insulated ceiling in an unheated space. Perhaps you can do one of the following: Run the lines under the floor in the basement (not unheated crawl space) where freezing will be much less likely. Run the lines under the insulation in your ceiling next to the heated drywall. If you have to drill holes in ceiling joists, be sure they are at least 2 inches from ceiling to prevent accidental puncturing from drywall screws. Apply the insulation over the lines. Thermostatically controlled heat tape can work, but be absolutely sure it is installed...

Full answer by shirlock homes: https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/10788 (CC BY-SA 3.0).

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