The Anatomy of a Pipe Saddle

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With massive weight, rushing liquids, and corrosive elements bearing down on your
pipes, it pays to give them support. Installing pipe saddles is a simple way to transfer the
pipe’s load weight onto a supporting base.

Still, there may be more to these structural pipe supports than you realize. Throughout
the years, the pipe saddle has evolved from a simple way to transfer weight to a versatile
marvel.

Wondering how these pipe supports have morphed into advanced pipe savers? In this
guide, we dig into the nitty-gritty of pipe saddles and examine how they are now designed
to support a range of functions.

Related: Learn how pipe shoes can lift piping off of I-beams and other surfaces by
downloading The Complete Guide to Pipe Shoes.

What Is a Pipe Saddle?

A pipe saddle is any pipe support that cradles a pipe and transfers the pipe’s load weight
onto a supporting base. Much like a saddle on a horse supports a rider and keeps them
from bouncing on the animal, pipe saddles support a pipe’s weight. In process piping
systems, a pipe saddle has two distinct features:

1. A saddle that supports the pipe

2. An integral base that helps you transfer the load weight from your pipe

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How Has the Pipe Saddle Evolved?
In the process piping world, “pipe saddle” refers more often to a product’s basic shape
than to specific pipe supports. That basic structure—a saddle support with an integral
base—has become the jumping-off point for even more advanced piping products. For
instance, APP’s T-Style Pipe Shoe includes a pipe saddle, which supports and elevates the
pipe, along with a bolt to hold the pipe in place.

Wondering how APP’s T-style shoes evolved from a basic pipe saddle design?

Essentially, these supports take the original pipe saddle design and add additional
support features to secure pipes. These pipe shoes include a pipe saddle, but they also
feature bolts or clamps to control pipe movement.

How Can Pipe Saddles Strengthen Your Pipes?

Pipe saddles, and the products they’ve inspired, can keep your piping system strong
longer and thus save you on long-term costs. Here are a few of the common ways pipe
saddles protect your pipes:

Elevate pipes
Anchor pipes
Add adjustable support

Why Elevate Pipes with Pipe Saddles?

There may be more reasons to elevate your pipes than you realize. Here are a few of the
biggest advantages you gain by elevating your pipes with supports that feature pipe
saddles:

Corrosion Resistance

When pipes rest on bare ground or grimy surfaces, they are susceptible to corrosion.
Microbes and moisture provide a route for corrosion to start eating away your pipe’s
metal. That’s why simply raising pipes off of pooling liquids or dirty surfaces can help
prevent some forms of corrosion.

Elevating pipes also can separate pipes from dissimilar metals that might cause galvanic
corrosion. For instance, if you have carbon steel pipes that are resting on stainless beams,
your stainless surfaces could steal electrons from your pipes. In turn, your pipe can rust,
weaken, and collapse. Some saddle-based products, such as APP’s T-style shoes, can be
fitted with a nonmetallic liner to eliminate metal-to-metal contact and fight off corrosion.

Related: Learn how pipe shoes can lift piping off of I-beams and other surfaces by
downloading The Complete Guide to Pipe Shoes.

Less Metal-to-Metal Wear

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When your pipes lie on beams or other metallic surfaces unprotected, they can be exposed
to metal-to-metal wear. That’s because when pipes shift or vibrate, the surface of the pipe
digs into the supporting structure.

The problem?

First, this friction can tear open the surface of your pipes and cause ruptures. Second, it
can create small abrasions on the exterior of your pipes. Those little holes can harbor
bacteria and cause crevice corrosion.

Products that include pipe saddles lift pipes off these harsh surfaces and give you more
control over the pipe’s movement. That way, when pipes move, they glide along the
surface you choose in a more controlled motion.

Secure Pipes
Another way the pipe saddle design improves your piping system is by adding a layer of
stability. Even if pipes seem relatively stable, they’re susceptible to movement. When
vibrations run through pipes, liquids slosh around, or pipes shift from thermal expansion,
it can damage the pipe’s surface.

Worse yet, pipes can end up crashing into surrounding objects and rupturing. Pipe
supports that include pipe saddles harness the pipe and keep it from wobbling—
protecting your pipes from slamming into hard surfaces.

Why Use a Pipe Saddle as an Anchor Support?

Remember when we mentioned that pipe saddles work much like a saddle on a horse?
Now imagine you’re riding a horse without a saddle on a bumpy gravel road, and you
weigh thousands of pounds. That image touches on the problems saddles can solve in the
piping world when they’re used as anchors.

Your pipes are heavy, and any movement could destroy pipe surfaces. Pipe saddles can
cushion the force of that movement, lift pipes up, and secure pipe runs.

Wondering how to turn a pipe saddle into an anchor support?

An effective way is to add a bolt or clamp to restrict vertical pipe movement. An example
of this type of anchor is the APP heavy-duty, U-bolt-on T-style pipe shoe. This pipe
support is made up of a pipe saddle with added gussets and multiple U-bolts to hold the
pipe in place.

Related: Learn how pipe shoes can lift piping off of I-beams and other surfaces by
downloading The Complete Guide to Pipe Shoes.

Why Use a Pipe Saddle as an Adjustable Support?

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As we mentioned, pipe saddles are commonly used to add adjustable support to your
piping system. Basically, a pipe saddle that’s fitted with an adjustable base can add
flexibility to your piping system. Here are some advantages to using pipe saddles as
adjustable pipe supports:

Safer Pipe Systems

When a disaster strikes your piping system and pipeline failures happen, you may need to
make adjustments fast. If that means slicing into existing structures, it could cost you
precious time in a crucial moment or piles of money in the long run. When you use pipe
saddles as adjustable supports, you can make changes to your piping without doing
permanent damage to your broader piping system.

Protection from Weather

Especially if your pipes are exposed to the elements, you know how a storm or inclement
weather can hit your system quickly. Adjustable pipe saddles let you change the format of
pipes to keep them out of harm's way when the environment around them turns.

Maintenance Made Easy

If you want to prevent corrosion, it is important to clean and maintain pipes regularly.
Adjustable pipe saddles make that whole process easy. They give you access to crevices
and the underside of pipes, so you can spot early symptoms of corrosion and fight off pipe
corrosion before it spreads throughout your pipes.

More Room for Mistakes

It’s not uncommon for changes to pop up during a job, and sometimes errors happen
during installation. Adjustable pipe supports give you the flexibility to adjust the layout of
runs or add on to your existing structures without being hit with major expenses.

Answers to All of Your Questions About Pipe Shoes

APP’s T-style pipe shoes are an excellent example of a pipe saddle that’s morphed into an
advanced pipe saver. However, these pipe supports just scratch the surface of what’s
available when it comes to piping solutions.

Want to learn which pipe shoes will save you the most time and money in the long run?
Read our Complete Guide to Pipe Shoes and uncover everything you need to know about
elevating and strengthening your pipes.

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