When building your own house and arranging engineering networks, each prudent owner insulates the well. This is especially true in frosty climates, when in winter the temperature drops to -30 degrees and stays at this level for weeks. Any errors will lead to the fact that the well insulation becomes less effective, this will lead to the need to perform expensive repairs.
Warming methods
There are different ways to insulate wells and wells. Each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages. Experts recommend using several techniques at once in order to increase efficiency and not face problems in the future.
Caisson installation
One of the most popular ways to insulate wells is the use of a caisson. You can make it yourself, which will cost less, or you can purchase a ready-made one - this option is suitable for owners of private houses who value time.
Installation is carried out in several steps:
- A pit is dug, the lowest point of which lies about 50 centimeters deeper than the level of soil freezing.
- At the bottom of the pit, a sand-crushed stone pillow is arranged - about 10 centimeters.
- Holes for a pipe or several pipes are cut in the caisson, after which it is installed in place.
- All the necessary equipment is installed, including the pump.
- The walls of the caisson are insulated from the outside - the thermal insulation must be resistant to moisture (Penoplex will be a good choice) and have a thickness of about 50 mm.
- The caisson is closed with an insulated lid and covered with soil - it is advisable to mix the earth with expanded clay in order to reduce the heat loss of the well.
Insulation of a caisson for a well does not require special skills and can be performed by a non-professional.
Heating cable
For residents of the coldest regions of the country, the best way to insulate a well for the winter with their own hands on the street is to use a heating cable. This is a very effective, but at the same time costly way - in order to heat a well, you will have to consume electricity - not a lot, but constantly.
Installation is very simple - the soil around the pipe is removed, after which the cable is laid. A powerful one can be laid in a straight line, a weak one will have to be wound around a pipe. The weaker the heating, the less should be the step between the skeins.
At the last stage, the pipe is backfilled with the extracted soil.
Additional casing
Not the most effective way to insulate, but cheap to install and free to use. It is often chosen for insulation of wells and water supply systems in private houses. There are several steps to follow:
- The soil around the pipe is removed.
- The pipe is insulated with high-quality thermal insulation. The larger the layer, the better.
- One more pipe - casing - of a larger diameter is put on top of the thermal insulation.
- The casing pipe is covered with earth.
For regions of Russia, where the temperature in winter drops sharply to -20 degrees and below, an additional casing pipe is an excellent way to insulate a well.
Selection of materials for well insulation
The choice of material depends on two factors: the depth of soil freezing and the level of occurrence of groundwater.
If the probability of the well freezing is small, you can use free natural insulation - sawdust, peat, old leaves, chopped straw. The main thing is to protect them from getting wet, otherwise the thermal insulation properties will sharply decrease.
Also, in warm areas, you can build an insulated house for a well - it reliably protects the water supply system; during construction, you do not need to carry out massive earthworks, digging out several cubic meters of soil. The house is installed directly on the surface of the earth and does not spoil the appearance of the site; with a design approach, it can complement the attractiveness of a house or summer cottage.
For a harsher winter climate, polyurethane foam, polyurethane foam or basalt wool are better suited. These insulation materials are the most effective widely used and not too expensive.
Polyurethane foam with foam is not afraid of moisture, and basalt wool, with all its advantages, easily absorbs it, losing its effectiveness. Therefore, when using it, you need to take care of good waterproofing.
Insulation constructions
When insulating wells, one should not forget about equipment. With a sharp cold snap, it can fail. First of all, these include:
- pump,
- automation that controls the pump,
- casing head.
The installation of the caisson can completely solve the problem. All equipment is in it and thanks to the heat coming from the water, the temperature does not fall below the permissible mark. Together with good insulation, this solution is optimal.
Well protection for the winter
To build a pit, a pit is dug around the pipe. Its bottom should lie half a meter deeper than the depth of soil freezing. The main thing is not to get to the groundwater, if the level of occurrence is high enough. Otherwise, the problem of their withdrawal will have to be solved.
The walls are strengthened. Concrete rings, bricks and other available materials can be used. Next, you need to insulate the pipe well. Wrapping with several layers of basalt wool, followed by a waterproofing layer, is suitable.
Passive insulation
The water in the well rises from a fairly large depth, where the temperature never drops below zero. Therefore, in some cases, it is enough just to save this heat so as not to resort to additional insulation.
In this case, a pit or a caisson is perfect, followed by the application of a good insulation above the level of soil freezing. But this option is good for a private house with year-round living. If you need to insulate the well in the country, this method will have to be abandoned.
Even with a good insulation, water, if it stands motionless for weeks, will cool down and as a result turn into ice, which can break the pipe. To prevent this from happening, the well must be used regularly, thus warming up the water supply system.
