Check if it's made of foam, fiberglass, or reflective material, which indicates insulation, while a hard material might mean it's for protection. Look at how it’s installed—if it’s makeshift, it might not be effective.
Try to identify what it’s covering to determine its purpose. Since a handyman did the installation, it might be worth consulting a professional plumber to check if it's necessary and properly fitted. If it’s not serving its purpose, replacing it with the right insulation or protective covering might be best.
Make sure it meets local building codes. Hope this helps!