HVAC question for you guys...

[Scott Douglas]

Our HVAC is working well. It's about 10 yrs old now and the outside lines are starting to show their age.
There's a line with insulation around it that used to have an aluminum foil like 'wrap' on it. That has gone by the way side. Here's a pic of that line:

We got a quote of @$90 from the guys who came out and gave our system a once over as it was the first time we'd ever had the system looked at.
Question is this - What should/could we cover this line with to prevent further deterioration?
The HVAC guys want to put a plastic protective sleeve over it. I'm not sure that is going to last as I don't think most plastics are UV resistant or durable. My wife is worried that we're going to start watering more now that spring is around the corner and she doesn't want that insulation to be harmed.
I think we could invest in a roll of heavy duty aluminum foil and wrap it with that and get just as good protection as anything the HVAC guys could come up with.
What do you say?
The original 'foil' covering was some of the thinnest foil I've ever seen. Even the light weight aluminum foil you can buy at the store is heavier than it was.
Any advice would be most welcomed.

[dad911]

just wrap it with a uv rated tape.

[Scott Douglas]

That is what I was thinking but it's problematical since the 'pipe' is so close to the ground.

[BK911]

Replace with the original type insulation.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

That is what I was thinking but it's problematical since the 'pipe' is so close to the ground.

I would try to get it off the ground also.

[Scott Douglas]

I decided, against my wife's desire for a 'professional' solution, to wrap it with the heavy duty aluminum foil.
It's only for UV protection so this should do. The original insulation is in good shape, just a little bit cracked, but not falling apart on touching it. It is right up against the amarylis bulbs so I couldn't go all the way around there, but for the most part it's covered. It isn't laying on the ground, just really close to it and since it's a 'hard' line there's no bending/moving it up any further for clearance purposes.


Not as 'pretty' as the original install as I couldn't keep wrinkles from happening, but I think it'll work just as well.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[red-beard]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-Tape-1-89-in-x-10-9-yd-Waterproofing-Repair-Foil-Duct-Tape-1542731/100197267

Just wrap it around the best you can. I like to do it in about 12" strips to make it easier.

[Scott Douglas]

There is zero clearance at the point next to the bulb so wrapping isn't an option.

[Evans, Marv]

I don't see why the aluminum foil wouldn't be OK. I replaced my insulation last year, since it was dry & cracked. I just bought new insulation & a roll of UV resistant tape & wrapped it at the joints. $90 doesn't sound bad for somebody to come out and replace it. Where mine was close to the ground, I just dug a little trench under it.