In suburban areas, owners often resort to drilling their own wells. Due to this, it is possible to create an autonomous water supply system. However, it is not uncommon for a well to freeze. You need to deal with the problem competently and in a timely manner, otherwise the house will be left without water for the whole winter. Pipes may also burst.
Freezing points of water in the well
The entire column of water in the casing cannot freeze through, since the depth of ice formation in the coldest regions reaches 2-3 meters. Below this level, the soil already has a positive temperature, which means that the liquid in it cannot physically take on a solid form.
More often, the well freezes in such zones:
- poorly insulated caisson - a protective chamber over the head of the source;
- casing pipe at the level of soil freezing (individually for each region);
- water supply pipes from the caisson and further, provided they are insufficiently insulated.
When the system freezes, all metal elements fail. These can be squeegees, ball valves, etc.
Effective ways to unfreeze a well
There are different ways to deal with icing in different parts of the downhole equipment. Effective methods:
- Hot water. Used to defrost the caisson and the piping from it to the house. You need to act very carefully. A sharp impact of high temperatures on the icy parts of the system can provoke pipe rupture, the formation of microcracks on them. Therefore, at first, all frozen places are wrapped with rags dipped in cold water. Then it is first watered with liquid at room temperature and then gradually increase the degree. Slow warming up with hot water gives good results with a patient approach.
- Brine. So you can defrost a well in the country or in a full-fledged cottage village. This is the most gentle way to influence the ice. It is necessary to make a strong salty solution in hot water (50-60 degrees). The finished composition is gradually poured into the frozen system. The salt eats away at the ice, the cork goes away.
- Blowtorch (torch). A similar method is good for metal elements of borehole water supply. A blowtorch is used to slowly warm up the icing site. If water has frozen in plastic pipes, work with the burner very carefully so as not to melt the plastic.
- Electricity. The method is used only for pipes frozen in the ground. It is necessary to drive a metal rod into the frozen soil in the area of the icy pipeline. A wire is put on the end of the protruding pin and connected to the network. The frozen ground conducts current well, as a result, the soil warms up, and with it the pipes. In turn, the soil with a positive temperature no longer conducts electricity. It will take about 24 hours to warm up 6 m2 and a depth of up to 90 cm (it all depends on the temperature outside). The method is energy intensive, but very effective. The main thing is that the metal pins do not touch iron or polymer pipes in the soil. The length of the rods should be below the freezing level of the soil.
- Making a fire. The method is used only for pipelines in the ground. Bonfires are organized along it from above, which slowly lead to the thawing of the soil inward. The pipes will thaw in parallel. The resulting heat can be covered with slate sheets to keep the heat longer.
If the house is not used in winter and there is no need for water, you can simply wait for an arbitrary thawing of the well in the spring.The pipeline will thaw gradually as the ambient temperature rises and the sun increases.
Before starting work, it is worth making sure that all the electrics of the well are working properly, and the metal elements are not covered with ice.
Prevention measures
To prevent freezing of water in the well, you need to take the following measures:
- At the site with the source, the depth of the pipes and the level of their insulation should be checked. If necessary, upgrade the system in accordance with the level of soil freezing in the region.
- Insulate the caisson qualitatively.
- The pipeline from the caisson to the entrance to the house can be additionally insulated with a heating cable. It is wound in a spiral onto tubes. The power consumption of such elements is low, and the effect is impressive.
- For the winter period, if no one will use the well, it is better to drain the water from the system and wrap up all its outer parts.
- When visiting the cottage only for the winter holidays, it is better not to start communication again, but to bring water with you in containers. This will be more profitable and cheaper than a possible subsequent repair, in which you will have to warm up or change the pipes.
Correct handling of downhole equipment, high-quality insulation of communications can protect against exorbitant expenses for repairs, which will have to be done when the elements of an autonomous water supply freeze.
