Steam line through wood studs

[Barry Ard]

I am in the planning phase for a steam shower build and haven't been able to find any information on running the steam lines, 1/2" copper pipe, through wall studs. I will need to run around 10' of pipe through wood 2x4 studs.

1. Is it ok to have the pipe come into direct contact with the wood?
2. Home Depot has 1/2" fibre glass pipe insulation but I don't want to drill a hole of that diameter through a stud. Is it ok to just insulate the 14.5" of pipe between the studs?

Thanks,
Barry

 

[Plumber Man]

I would drill the holes big enough the in studs to insulate the entire steamline.
With a joint at every stud there's more of a chance of condensation dripping in the walls as the pipe is cooling.

If you do go the route of just insulating between the studs make sure you drill your hole big enough for the copper to expand and contract with the heat or you will get squeaking in the wall from the pipes.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Barry Ard]

Thanks plumber man. I picked up some fibreglass wrap and it is not as bulky as I imagined so will drill holes large enough and wrap the entire length of pipe.