House, design, repair, decor. Yard and garden. Do it yourself

House, design, repair, decor. Yard and garden. Do it yourself

» Warming of exterior water pipes. Heater for pipes in the ground

Warming of exterior water pipes. Heater for pipes in the ground

Owners of country or private houses during the cold weather are regularly faced with the situation when the plumbing freezes. In urban conditions, such a problem does not arise, since the Housing and utilities experts independently insulate the water supply system. In the remaining cases, this task falls on the shoulders of homeowners. The article tells how to warm the plumbing pipe in the ground.

The need for insulation of water pipes

IN winter time The soil at a distance of two meters from the surface may vary up to -20 o C. This may negatively affect the operation of the water supply. If its insulation is not enough, or it is not completely, then the liquid inside will simply freeze. And the inhabitants of the house will remain without water for a long time.


Waiting for her thawing is not an option, because it is required constantly. You can try to heat the pipeline various options. But this approach is a partial solution to the problem. It is preferable to eliminate it in advance. To do this, it is necessary to place a pipeline under the level of ground freezing, as well as install additional insulation for it.

Applied materials for insulation of pipes in the ground

The most popular materials for insulation of water pipes are: glass gamble, foam and basalt. The first one is characterized by its low cost. Glasswater is best suited for insulation of plastic and metal-plastic structures, because it provides good thermal insulation at low density.

This method is characterized by simplicity of implementation. The glass gamble is simply wound on the pipeline, and then fixed using a tape or plastic tape. To increase the degree of thermal insulation, you can use runneroid and fiberglass. Wat can be bought in plates or rolls.


For the task, you can also use basalt insulation. This is a cylindrical material manufactured from molten rocks. Among the advantages of this method, it is possible to highlight the simplicity of installation and a high degree of thermal insulation. Ruberoid or pergamine is best used as a coating layer. The main disadvantage of basalt insulation is its high cost.


The most popular material for this task is the foam. It is suitable for the insulation of the pipeline both outside and inside the house. Material reusable, so economical. Polyfoam retains its operational qualities for a long time, even being underground. The shell is manufactured from it, which turns around the shell.

For such a method of thermal insulation, special skills are required, the installation is performed quite quickly. To begin with, the polluts are put on the pipe, leaving a small displacement, fixes everything on the tape. The displacement is usually from 100 to 200 millimeters. For insulation of turning of the pipeline, fitting shells are used.

Selection of material

In the free sale you can find a large number of insulation for a tap pipe in the ground. Among the entire range should choose the highest quality, durable and convenient options.

Criteria for the selection of heat insulating materials:

  • Low thermal conductivity;
  • Stability of material to all sorts of external influences;
  • Water-repellent properties;
  • The stability of the heat insulator to the temperature differences;
  • high thermal insulation properties;
  • Long service life.

How to warm and warm with an electrical cable

An excellent option for insulation of pipes in Earth is to use a power supply connected to a power cable with a power of 10 W. It is winding around the pipes, warming it in winter.


It is necessary to establish a thermostatic relay to the cable, otherwise it will continue the heating of the pipeline even when the ground warming, which will lead to additional costs of electricity.

Warming air

Located underground water supply system is exposed to temperature differences. Cold over time penetrates deep into the soil. In this case, the soil remains warmer than the earth from above. To mount the insulation, the pipe turns entirely. In this case, the water supply is insulated not only from the cold from above, but also from the heat from the bottom.

Second layer of pipe

There is another option than to insulate the pipes of the water supply in the ground. This method can be made with your own hands. This requires a pipe larger diameter. Polypropylene products are best suitable. The bottom line is that the tap pipe is laid into a large.


You can still use special paint. This is an advanced version of the insulation of the water supply system. It requires a sprayer to apply. The greater the paint layer, the higher the thermal insulation properties of the system.

The composition easily transfers the temperature differences, giving anti-corrosion properties pipe. This method of insulation for all indicators is better than using polystyrene foam.

Heat pressure

There is a way of insulation with a large pressure. To implement it, you need to add a receiver to the water supply system. It will gradually increase the pressure. When its value reaches 3 atmospheres, water will cease to freeze. This method, how to insulate the PND tube, is suitable only for durable plumbing capable of withstanding high pressure.

The question of the insulation of water pipes is especially relevant among the owners of suburban real estate. Often, the hosts themselves are forced to worry about many components of a comfortable residence in the country villages and settlements.

Especially when it comes to houses / cottages with year-round accommodation - Here without insulation, communications can not do. And first of all, it is necessary to pick up and put the insulation for the pipes of the water pipe - without water, habitually from the crane, it is difficult to enjoy the charms of country life.

In our material, we will tell you why it is worth insulating water pipes and what to pay attention to choosing material for thermal insulation.

Often the question of whether it is necessary to insulate the water pipe arises in the frosty morning, when it is too late - the water from the crane does not flow. It is in such a situation that the homeowner has no doubt about the need for this event.

Indeed, the insulation of pipes need not always. It all depends on the location of the house, climatic conditions, the residence time of residents and the features of laying water communications.

When it was decided to buery the pipes of the water supply to the level of freezing, then you do not need to save at an additional depth of 0.5 meters. Otherwise you should take care of thermal insulation

If the family members come to rest only in the warm season, there is no need for insulation. In order to prevent a random break of pipes because of the frozen water in the frost, when there is no one in the country, you just need to properly preserve the system, having prepared it with high quality.

No insulation and water supply is required, stretched at sufficient depth. According to the standards, the plumbing pipes are properly stacked at the following depth: 0.5 meters + ground freezing depth in a specific region. This is an important condition that must be observed that it should not be redone all over the first winter.

If the water supply is not insulated and placed enough, then there is a danger of freezing of the entire layer of soil and ice formation inside the pipe

In the inhabitants of the Northern Regions, the level of freezing is 2.5 m or more. This greatly complicates the pipeline of the pipeline to the desired level. Yes, it will cost such an event that it will be expensive. No insulation do not do without insulation.

It happens that there is no possibility to make a trench desired depth Under the laying of water pipes. In such cases, insulation is a necessity. Another point is the entrance of the plumbing pipe to the house. This plot in frosts often enjoys high attention from many homeowners. Therefore, you need to take care timely insulation by choosing the right material.

If the water in the pipe has frozen, then at best, users will remain without water, and in the worst - the pipe will break up and the expensive repair work on the detection of this site and the elimination of the problem

Another place of the pipeline, which must be remembered - the inlet of the pipe in the well / well. It all depends on the characteristics of a particular water supply and the method of arrangement of this site. If this well and pipe immerses in it, then we must not forget about its insulation, choosing material, resistant to ultraviolet rays and precipitation.

Gallery of images

Heating cable can be different power. Most often occurs from 10 to 20 W

Thermal insulation materials on the market is presented by a great set. They are all distinguished by their properties, quality, price, installation difficulties and service life.

What to choose - depends on the specific situation.

Among the insulation, polyethylene and polyurethane foam semi-cylinders are different in the insulation - shells

The method with the provision of air layer is also often used. It is a water pipe placed in a cheap smooth plastic or corrugated pipe of a larger diameter.

Inside there is a free space for circulation of warm air, falling from a warmed basement or heated in another way.

Warm air perfectly protects the plumbing pipe from the freezing. Although it is often additionally insulated with polypropylene or other material.

Another option is to buy ready-made warmed pipes of factory origin. They are sold fully ready for installation.

There are 2 pipes of different diameters placed in each other. Between them is a layer of insulation. Often this warming method is called pre-insolation.

Not always the option with finished pipes satisfies the needs of a particular user - diameter, type of material and cost can be a real problem for their purchase.

The use of several methods of thermal insulation of pipes is due to the fact that all methods are imperfect and apply them in all cases will not be possible. Terms of use in various households located in all regions of the country are fundamentally different from each other. Therefore, you will choose a variant suitable for specific requirements.

Alternatives of thermal insulation

There are alternative methods of thermal insulation, warning the occurrence of adverse effects. They are not applicable in all cases. First, you can remove all the water from the system - there is no water, there is no problem. This method is applicable for houses that are not used in winter. It will help protect the system from damage in case of freezing pipes of the water pipeline.

Secondly, it is possible to provide a constant movement of water in the pipeline, opening a little crane. It is not difficult to do with constant accommodation. But the option is dangerous - suddenly a couple of days will have to leave the house, and after returning will be expected a surprise in the form of a spoiled water supply system.

The insulation helps to get rid of condensate, which is positively affected by the extension of the service life of metal pipes

In addition to the opening crane, it is possible in other ways a constant pressure in the pipeline. For example, use special water in the system or add another element - receiver. It should be embedded in the pipe immediately near the pump. The operation of the receiver will allow maintaining constant pressure, which will save the system from freezing.

How to choose a heater for pipes?

If there is no possibility to hide into the soil pipe of the water supply to the required depth or separate nodes come to the surface of the Earth, then the insulation is to be selected, ideally suitable for thermal insulation of water pipes. To do this, it is necessary to choose the most optimal option suitable for specific requirements.

Classification of types of thermal insulation

The market of thermal insulation materials is replete with suggestions. Among them, you can highlight proven options and the latest offers that are characterized by a higher price.

The heat insulation paint is one of newst meansallowing you to warm up the pipes, significantly affecting their total weight and thickness

The insulation for pipes can be divided by the type of material to such groups:

  • fibrous, including mineral wool, fiberglass. Is not the best way for, because it will require additional waterproofing;
  • polyurethane foam, existing in solid and liquid state. This is the most popular option for the insulation of the water supply - both shells and liquid sputtering;
  • the thermal insulation paint appeared on the market recently. It, in addition to the main function, perfectly protects metal pipes from corrosion, but is expensive material;
  • polyfoam used as a heater less often, it is very brittle;
  • foamed polyethylene, well-proven responsible for excellent performance and ease of installation.

Paint is a new word in the world liquid insulation. It contains special inclusions that provide excellent thermal insulation.

Thermal insulating paint is a ceramic heat insulator, the inclusion is visible under the microscope, providing its unique properties.

Terms of choice of material

When choosing a suitable material to perform the thermal insulation of the local water supply, it is necessary to navigate primarily on the quality of the insulation. Indeed, among the proposals you can see many inexpensive options that attract the price. Here you need to carefully examine the accompanying documentation and consider appearance The goods offered.

More often it turns out that the cheapest version will not save the water pipes from freezing. Therefore, no matter how limited budget is the quality of the insulation, this is not what it is worth saving.

It is better to save on the laying, abandoning the services of specialists. Selecting the right insulation, all work on its installation can be performed with your own hands.

In addition to the quality of heat insulating material Must meet the requirements for it:

  • to withstand the conditions in which he will have its own functions;
  • be simple and convenient in the installation, if you have independent laying;
  • have a long service life and protection against rodents and other pests;
  • the price should be approached, because the high cost is not always justified for a specific material.

Sometimes it is necessary to additionally select an option for waterproofing a warmed pipe to protect the material from wetting, thus ensuring a long service life.

Most often for home use Choose foamed polyethylene and polyurethane foam. These materials differ not at the highest cost and simplicity of laying. They allow you to fulfill all the work with your own hands, spending the minimum forces - fastenings are simple, and suitable material For bonding parts with each other is offered by the manufacturer.

Gallery of images

Unfortunately, we live in such a locality where you have to think about how not to freeze in the winter. But it belongs not only to people, but to all that surrounds us in the farm. It is very important to know how to insulate the water pipe. If this is not done on time, then at a certain point you can stay without water supply in the house. And trying to carry out repair work in the cold season - it is not only unpleasant, but also quite laborious. Let's look in detail how to insulate the tap pipe with your own hands.

Primary requirements

Until a certain moment in construction, the materials were applied under hand. But the needs of man and requests are becoming more and more, so the approach to the component must be appropriate. If we talk about what isolation should be used for pipes, then here are the basic requirements that are presented to it:

  • Durability. Important factor, because insulation is not made with the calculation for a year or two. This would require frequent earthworks that are exhausted.
  • Strength. If the pipe is in the ground, it turns out to be sufficient pressure. If this is not taken into account, then the insulator simply loses its elasticity and its effectiveness will be reduced to zero.
  • Corrosion resistance. The effect of external factors can be destructive for some coatings, so either the insulation itself must have an inert layer, or it will be necessary to take care of the presence of such.
  • Heat capacity. It must be minimal. This means that the temperature of the insulation should not change when the factors exposed to it from outside.
  • Ability to absorb water. It is desirable that the material possesses the water-repellent effect. This will make it possible to prevent the penetration of moisture from the soil or at atmospheric precipitation. Otherwise, during its accumulation, the protective layer may occur due to freezing.
  • Fire resistance. This factor plays a very important role when using indoors, as well as in cases where the plumbing is made of plastic pipes.
  • Maintainability. Well, if when there is a damage of any area, it can be replaced modularly, without the use of the rest of the canvas.
  • Stability K. high temperatures. This indicator will be indispensable when it is necessary to submit hot water From home to another room.

What can be used

In principle, any material that will be listed below can be used to insulate the water supply. But the choice should fall on the one that will be most suitable for specific conditions. It may not comply with absolutely all the requirements that were listed above, it is not always necessary.

One of the options that is used sufficiently and is constantly being improved - mineral wool. There are a few of its varieties. The glass gamble is made of glass, its share is about 35% (usually this is a recycled glass container, etc.), soda, sand and other additives. Therefore, it can be called sufficiently clean. Its positive parties are:

  • minimum thermal conductivity;
  • ease of installation;
  • low weight;
  • simplicity of transportation;
  • is not food for rodents;
  • protection against noise exposure.

From minuses can be noted:

  • poor resistance to moisture, which leads to the loss of thermal insulation properties;
  • need to be used when installing personal protective equipment;
  • fiber is easily damaged and rushes with a small effort;
  • over time, shrinkage may be observed;
  • instability to fire.

A peculiar subspecies is basalt Wat.. It is made of stone battle. In addition to all listed pluses, high temperatures can be isolated, as well as immunity to moisture.

Foamed rubber is a synthetic product that appeared on the market not so long ago. It was designed specifically for insulation of the indoor pipeline and on the street. His characteristics:

  • high elasticity;
  • resistance to high temperatures;
  • moisture resistance;
  • ease of installation;
  • countertileness;
  • self-filling when exposed to open flame.

If we talk about minuses, then this is most likely only the complexity of delivery, because it occupies a fairly large volume at low weight.

Polyeneetylene is often used as a substrate for various flooring. But some of its species are designed specifically for the insulation of the pipeline. The choice of masters falls on him, because he:

  • does not support the development of bacteria and fungi, which is very relevant for the wet environment;
  • easy to install;
  • has a small weight;
  • resistant to ultraviolet;
  • fireproof;
  • does not require special skills when installing.

With prolonged use, the material can give a specific shrinkage, which reduces its initial indicators. In addition, certain problems arise when entering seams. It is very difficult to achieve perfect fit in some cases.

Penoplex and expanded polystyrene have a lot of similar properties. They are derived from the polymer component. This means that they practically do not interact with organic substances. These materials:

  • differ simplicity of installation;
  • have a small weight;
  • possess zero heat capacity;
  • resistant to moisture;
  • characterized with compressive strength.

At the same time, the products are very unstable to open fire. Rodents love to damage to such insulation.

The foamed polyurethane shell is a semicircular products that are put on as a cover on the pipe. Usually, it is covered with a protective layer of waterproofing. Use it leaning on:

  • ease of selection for a specific diameter;
  • lack of thermal conductivity;
  • low weight;
  • build in the form of a designer;
  • the possibility of multiple use;
  • the possibility of working on insulation even in the winter period of time.

The negative parties are: sufficient transport costs, as well as a limit at the maximum temperature of 120 ° C.

Relatively new, but rather interesting development, is insulation using special paint. Even a small layer has good indicators Insulating properties. If it is increased several times, then the loss will be significantly reduced. This product:

  • easily applied on the surface of any form;
  • has excellent adhesion with metal;
  • not exposed to salts;
  • endowed with anti-corrosion properties;
  • eliminates the formation of condensate;
  • no additional load on the pipes;
  • after coating, all the valves or revision units remain freely access;
  • simplicity repair;
  • high temperature resistance.

Of the negative sides, it is possible to select the need for an additional insulation in the case of a strong freezing of the soil or the outer location of the pipeline pipes.

Mineral wool insulation

Such a method is more suitable for use in rooms, as well as for overhead outdoor water supply. The sequence of actions will be like this:


If you are using ready-made elements from mineral wool, which go in the form of cylinders, then they wear onto the pipe, and the joints of the joints are well glued with the help of aluminum scotch. For best insulation The crane must be unscrew the handle from it. In the insulation, cut a hole under the fastening element. Wear it, and after that fasten the handle.

Warming foam rubber

Such material, as well as the previous, can be produced in a sheet modification and already ready-made tubes. The advantage of the first option will be able to independently choose the thickness of the insulation for any pipe. In many respects, installation is similar to how it was described for mineral wool. The difference is:

  • The possibility of installation is not only on the surface or indoors. The material perfectly transfers stay in the ground. But at the same time it will definitely need to be additionally wrapped in a polyethylene film.
  • In order to better fix the sheets wrapped around the pipe, you can use special glue or double-sided tape. The segment of the required length is measured and cut out. It turns around around the nozzle. The ends are missing with the composition, after which they are tightly pressed to the setting. Separate elements can be fixed in the same way. In this case, the monolithic design will be obtained. For greater reliability, aluminum tape can also be used.
  • When finished tubes are used when passing the corners, it is necessary in a place where it will bend, create a small seal. If not to do this, the wall can stretch and its thickness will be less, which will increase the probability of freezing.

The following video shows the pipe heat insulation technology foam rubber:

Insulation penplex

When using this material, the smallest amount of time will be spent. It, like the previous way, can be used for pipes that are laid in different conditions. The degree of absorption of moisture is minimal. This means that the Penoplex may be in the ground without harming him. Its products are usually the so-called shell. These are two half-cylinders. In order for them well in between themselves, on the ends there is a special castle of spike grooves. The radius of the inner circle is equal to the external on the nozzle for which a specific sample is intended. During the installation, they can be missed by suitable glue or reinforced tape. In this case, there is a guarantee that moisture will not be leaving inside and does not destroy the pipe.

Warming paint

It seems that scientists have finally managed to develop a unique method that requires minimal spending time, forces and means. But it is necessary to immediately make a reservation that for pipes that are laid on the surface or above the fruit of the soil, this option is rather an additional solution than the main one. In the case of use, such paint will be able to reduce the thickness of the main insulation. In order to handle the surface, you will need to do the following:

  • Before opening the container, it is necessary to check the integrity of the seal. It will be a key to the fact that the material came in the factory capacity.
  • The consistency of the composition is such that the liquid base is lowered to the bottom, and the solid component rises upwards. Therefore, before any work, it is important to make mixing. If it is carried out using a mixer or drill, the tool turns should not exceed 150 per minute. Move the nozzle is needed not only with circular motions, but also inversely applied.
  • In the case when the paint stood for a long time, it can be diluted with distilled water.
  • Application on the surface can be made by an ordinary tassel or a special spray. If the latter is used, it is important to make sure that there will be no filters in all modules. It is very important to do, because Paint contains small spheres, which are the secret component. If they go through grids, they will be destroyed, which will turn the composition into ordinary front paint. Spraying should also be carried out at a pressure not exceeding 8 atmospheres.
  • Some paints imply the possibility of applying directly to rusty surfaces. This will avoid preparatory work.
Note! If the fluid stood over 5 minutes without using, then it must be mixed again for a few seconds before the formation of a homogeneous mass.

Heating cable

The use of the active heating system carries with them a huge amount of advantages. Thanks to her, it appears not only to prevent freezing, but also to defrost the plot that has already been subject to this. You need to choose from two main types of such products:

Each of them has a number of advantages compared to another. The first conductor functions absolutely automatically. Its design implies a different degree of heating on a certain area. This is due to the way the inner layer is arranged between the conductors. When the temperature is low, the resistance drops and the heating increases, and vice versa. Such a wire can be laid even on an uneven plot, while its performance does not suffer in any way.

The resistive cable has a constant heating temperature, so it is possible to ensure uniform warming of the entire area. It requires more attention during operation, but its value is significantly lower than that of the previous version. By design, it can be with one residential or two. The second is easier to mount.

There are two main ways to mount cable:

  • Interior. In this case, the conductor is placed directly into the pipe and, in contact with water, does not allow it to freeze.
  • External. The cable is located along the outer contour. For such options, a wire with a flat configuration is usually selected, since it is more difficult to damage and it takes less space.

Products have different specific power, which is also important to calculate correctly. At the first embodiment, the installation is usually stopped at a value of 10 W / m. In order for the cable, located outside, has the required efficiency, you must be guided by two basic rules:

  • for pipes with a diameter to ¾, it will take the performance of 17 W / m;
  • for diameters from ¾ "up to 1½" - 27 W / m.

A high power is available that can reach 31 W / m, but such values \u200b\u200bare usually used to prevent damage to the sewer pipes that have a diameter of 110 mm and more.

If it is decided to carry out an external gasket, then act like this:


In a self-regulating cable, it is important to take care of the high-quality sealing of the second end. To do this, it is put on it a shrink tube, heated with a hairdryer, and the end is tightly compressed by the pliers.

Note! For the conductor with self-adjustment temperature, special thermostators are available, which are already built into the cold cable. They turn on when the lower limit reaches + 5 ° C, and turn off at + 15 ° C all that will be needed when assembling - connect them together and turn on the outlet. No purchase of additional modules will be required.

Internal installation can also be carried out independently. For these purposes, all necessary adapters usually go with the cable. They can also be easily purchased independently. The process will be like this:

  • The convenient place is selected for entering the conductor into the pipe.
  • First of all, you will need to install a tee through which the immersion will be carried out.
  • The end of the conductor that will be inside, it is necessary to seal well. To do this, the upper insulation is removed by 1 cm. The shielding braid is assembled into a bundle and buys with the help of boums. A shrink tube is cut down 6 cm long. Half it is put on the wire, heated with a hairdryer, and the protruding part must be squeezed using pliers. From above, a special silicone plug is put on top, and again everything is fixed with the help of a shrinkable Cambrid.
  • The conductor is passed through a locking clutch, a silicone seal, 2 metal washers and a pressure nut. It is placed in the pipe.
  • The part required for the connection is left on the surface.
  • In the tee clamping a fixing mechanism.
  • Entering heating cable

    Video

    Other ways to exclude freezing

    Another method that is successfully applied in areas where the temperature in the winter falls below zero not to critical values. It is called the means of an umbrella or air layer. His essence lies in the action of physical laws. The temperature underground will always be higher than outside during the winter period. In order to use it useful propertyFirst, the pipe larger diameter is stacked, which will serve as a sleeve. It places the one that will serve as a highway. The trench falls asleep soil. The layer, which remained between the two nozzles, will compensate for the temperature difference and prevent freezing.

    High pressure can also be careisled in a similar situation. The usual pressure of the household network is 2 atmosphere. Water ceases to freeze with a value of 4 atmosphere. On the pipe of the pipe that will be located at negative temperatureIt is necessary to ensure such a level. To do this, a special drive and a supercharger is installed on one of its parts. From the other end, the gearbox is mounted, which will exclude damage to household appliances.

    Instead of the result

    To work on insulation or eliminate various breakdowns, it is necessary to have an accurate plan for the location of all communications. Its preparation is desirable to start even during construction or with those who are familiar with all the nuances of a particular home. All existing connections are applied to the drawing. Very often, it is because of them there are unpleasant situations. One drop that leans through the joke can make trouble.

    It is better to warm up all pipes that can somehow contact with a negative temperature. This also applies to some basement in a private house. Do not regret funds for such operations. If you save now, you can later spend big money for the complete replacement of whole areas.

It is difficult to present comfortable accommodation in a house without constant water supply. However, many owners of their own homes and cottages in the winter facing the freezing of water pipes. Frost at the same time does not spare neither steel galvanized pipes of high quality, neither metal-plastic products from best manufacturers, breaking the same hard all pipes. You can avoid such a sad outcome if you are in a timely manner of the insulation of the water pipes personally.

The need for warning insulation

So, you understand the need to carry out the warming insulation in your home. Considering the fact that the plot is not kilometers of pipes, then there will be no industrial scope of work. Remember that the depth of pipe breaking must reach half meter. Of course, than this figure is larger, the risks of what you stay in the winter season without water will be less. But even if you have withstood this option when installing the water pipeline, it is best to warm it up.

Special attention should be paid to the procedure for insulation of water pipes in unheated premises and on the street, as these places are most vulnerable to freezing. If inside the construction, the warming insulation is not so hard, then thermal insulation of pipes, which are located on the street, especially in places where they come into contact with pumps, counters, as well as in distribution wells, will take more time and strength.

Materials for insulation of water supply pipes

The time has long passed when the insulation of the water pipe was made using fufakes, cotton blankets and other primary materials. Today there are many thermal insulation materials. That is why it is important to be able to choose the proper insulation and know what to pay attention to first. Buy material for insulation tubes is recommended, based on its main characteristics and convenience of installation.

Choosing a heater, remember that it must comply with such requirements:

  • have a low thermal conductivity and have good heat saving properties;
  • be durable and resistant to the chemical and biological effects of environmental factors;
  • have a minimal coefficient of water absorption (high water-repellent properties), since the moisturizing of the material significantly increases the indicators of its thermal conductivity;
  • work at high temperatures without losing your structure and own physical properties.

Knowing the main properties of the insulation and the features of the location of water pipes on the plot, you can make optimal choice Thermal insulator for insulation of water pipes. Preferably, they are recommended to be stacked for insulation of water supply indoors.

Let's look at which insulation are intended for insulation of the tap pipe:

  1. Glasswater. Fiberglass insulation are used primarily for insulation metal pipes. Fiberglass insulation URSA, KNAUF and ISOVER are isolated from popular stamps. The glass gaming is characterized by low density, when using this material for thermal insulation of pipes, it is recommended to lay additional external insulators like rubberoid or fiberglass. And this already promises you additional temporary and material costs.
  2. Basalt insulation. Insulation of this type is performed in the form of cylinders, which are characterized by ease of installation. Fiber for additional protection is covered with a layer of rubberoid, pholoisol or pergamine. Despite the obvious advantages, the cost of such a insulation is not very democratic.
  3. Polystyrene foam. This insulation is the most popular material during self-insulation of the water supply. The polystyrene thermal insulation shells are with an outer coating or without it. This thermal insulation material is designed for a reusable application for insulation of water pipes on the street and indoors.
  4. Heat insulation paint. This is a pasty mass of gray or white, which is an innovative product in the domestic construction market. This composition is manufactured on the basis of varnish or water with the addition of acrylic dispersion and fillers. It is best to apply thermal insulation paint by means of a sprayer. The thicker you make a layer of paint, the thermal insulation of the pipe will be higher. Paint is able to withstand high and low temperatures and has anticorrosive properties. By the way, one layer of paint is able to replace polystyrene foam or glass wool.

Ways of insulation of water supply underground

Above, we looked at the materials that are used for insulation of pipes outside and indoors. Some of the thermal insulators can be used underground. However, insulation is not always easy and has a lot of flaws. And therefore it is worth paying attention to alternative methods of insulation of water pipes in the ground, when there is no need to lay pipes at a considerable depth.

Let's consider briefly these ways and learn how to warm the plumbing pipes with them:

  • Heating cable. Warming occurs by heating the pipeline using a cable, the power of which is an average of 10-20 W per meter running, inside and outside the pipe. Since the winter time lasts only a few months, the process of insulation is necessary solely at this time: the warming cable will be included only at such months. When using the insulation of the pipe, you can not lay on a depth of 2 meters, it is enough to deepen just 50 centimeters.
  • Warming of pipes by air. In this case, you can use the materials that were listed above - expanded polystyrene and basalt materials. The essence of the method consists in insulation of pipes by air, which emanates from below, and the creation of the so-called "umbrella" from cold air, which comes from above. The pipe is placed in a cylindrical insulating material. As a result, something like "pipe in the pipe" is obtained.
  • Water pipe insulation with high pressure. As part of this technique, the receiver is cut into the plumbing system where pressure is injected. This method will best work on submersible pumpsbecause they have the pressure required for the system (close 5 atmospheres). But in order for the entire system to be under pressure, the check valve immediately installed immediately after the pump.

Watering warming do it yourself

All insulation, which are used in our days to heat the water supply, the principle of operation is absolutely the same. The choice of certain thermal insulation will depend on the placement of your water supply and water-repellent properties of the material.

The use of thermal insulation materials

With the help of fiberglass wrapped the pipes, and then fasten the winding with a plastic ribbon. Then it is worth equipping waterproofing - using runneroid or other similar materials. However, insulation the pipes, which are placed under the ground, not recommended fiberglass materials. First, with such a method of insulation, you will have to equip two layers: the insulation itself and the casing itself, which consists of the winding of this thermal insulator with some waterproofing material. And this is quite a long and vigorous, which leads to the increase in the cost of insulation of the water supply.

Since the density of such thermal insulation materials is small, then the thickness of the insulation during the inverse backfill of the trench will be impaired in height, that is, the material is simply extinguished under the weight of the soil, and this process is able to continue even not one season. As a result, there will be a lack of insulation thickness to create quality insulation Water pipes underground.

If you will carry out pipes with layer-by-layer rambling, it will only speed up the process. With an insufficient depth of the investment of the water supply, after long autumn rains, through a loose soil (after completing the backfill) surface waters Surely get to the heat insulator, and he dry to winter pore can hardly have time.

Heat-insulating shells made from basalt fiber or polystyrene foam are mounted quickly and simply. On a plumbing pipe with a displacement of 100-200 millimeters, halves of polystyrene foam of a certain diameter are put on with a relatively friend, pre-fixing the scotch. Displacement relative to each other is required for "rehearse", which reaches 10 - 20 centimeters. For insulation of angles, nodes and turns of the system, it is customary to use the shaped shells.

The advantages of this method of insulation of water supply pipes of polystyrene foam is that the water absorption indicator for 24 hours reaches only 0.5 - 2.0% by volume, so the insulation does not wet and under the action of moisture does not destroy how glass gamble. When filling in trenches, polystyrene foam will not be frozen and wet when the surface waters penetrate through the soil. The same method of insulation can be applied to the passage of water supply through the unheated room.

Application of heating cable

Consider organizing the heating of the water supply using a special cable. Immediately I want to make a reservation that it is not cheap, although if you are mounted pipes yourself, you can significantly save. There are two types of heating water supply cable. The wire in the first case passes inside the pipe, but the installation procedure is quite complex, and it will be very difficult to cope with this.

In the second case, the wire passes over the pipe, but the power and its length is calculated before the installation of the heat insulating material. Mount it with your own hands is much easier. By the way, there are ready-made sets for the construction of the water supply, consisting of a pipe with an elevated heating cable and thermal insulation material or without a wire, but with a cable-channel-made under it.

If you use this method of pipe heating, then you do not necessarily dug up to 2 - 2.5 meters, enough 50 centimeters. This requires such materials: Plumbing and foil tape, waterproof insulation, self-regulating cable for insulation of water pipes, which has a power of at least 20 W per meter. In addition, heating cable allows not only the pipes not to climb, but also to quickly defrost them.

The process of insulation of the water supply system with a heating cable occurs in such a sequence:

  1. According to the pipe that goes to the house from the well, the spirals need to be punctured foil tape. It is not glued too tight so that the wire holds when performing a pipe winding.
  2. After that, it is necessary to put the heating cable at the prepared in advance of the spiral in a step of 10 - 15 centimeters.
  3. On top of the cable should also be pasted foil tape, which will ensure fixation of the wire.
  4. The insulation must be chopped along and wrap around the pipe. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully monitor the coincidence of all seams between the wire and the insulation, which will help prevent the appearance of "cold bridges".
  5. Next, it is necessary to take a plumbing tape and very tightly wrap over the insulation of the entire pipe. Remember that the winding of sanitary tape is obligatory, as it allows to prevent penetration soil water Through the gaps present.
  6. After you reached the departments of the water supply out of the ground and enter the house, there is a need to apply additional windings, which can be made in several ways: through additional insulation of pipes. cold water With the help of a polyethylene film and arrangement around the pipe frame pipes, where the insulation will be cut off. The upper part of the box is also closed with a protective coating, for example, wind and moisture protection film sewable after installation.

Now more and more often, it is customary to install together with the heating cable of the point of collecting data on temperature. It is enough to put on the 3-4 sensor on the track so that you can control manually or automatically. For example, if the temperature falls below 5 degrees above zero, the system will enable voice alert and send a message to email or mobile phone. You can also provide an automatic switching on the heating system when the specified parameters are reached.

Secrets of the correct warming insulation

It is necessarily recommended to make a detailed scheme of underground water supply communications in the house and on the land plot, as well as to pay close attention to connecting elements. Remember that only one small drop of water that frozen in a thread is capable of breaking them. And the pipes in turn should not be subject to the process of corrosion, the most optimal option is metal-plastic.

It is recommended to warm and warm up all parts of the pipeline, which are at a negative temperature. This concerns the premises in the house, for example, unheated basements, and places input pipes in the building. One of the methods of insulation of water supply pipes in the country at the entrance place is the following: short plots of water pipes up to 0.5 meters, which remained not insulated, put in a larger diameter pipe.

To do this, it is customary to use sewer pipes from PVC diameter of 100 - 150 millimeters, sawing it along in advance. Next should be centered and consolidated by all with a tape. Drill a few holes in height, fill the space between the pipes of the construction foam from the canister. As you fill out, close the holes you can do the same scotch.

Remember, warm water pipes in the winter are becoming objects of increased attention from various rodents - moles, rats and other living creatures. They are able to easily tear off the insulation, asbestos and plastic pipes, considering them the most suitable warm place. Protecting from them water pipes can be plastered with a solution with a broken glass, wrapped them metal meshor with a metal sleeve.

On this procedure, the insulation of the pipe is completed. The pipe with the correct implementation of the instruction will last long and at the highest level, without fear of jubilate frosts. I would like to recall once again that the insulation of the water supply should be carried out in a timely manner, without waiting until the gap will occur as a result of water freezing. Always consider water-repellent properties, durability and compliance of thermal insulation material with fire safety requirements.

When creating water supply systems, a considerable part of the pipes are laid underground. This is relevant for any communications - both for lines of housing and communal services and for water supply systems for private houses. However, the pipeline, even in the ground, needs to be protected - from the cold and excess moisture.

Now there are several relevant and effective ways to prevent the pipe freezing, and each of the options - has a number of characteristic features and properties. We will consider the most effective technologies of insulation and.

1 On the relevance of the insulation of the pipeline

Some mistakenly believe that the laying of water pipes in the ground is already the protection of the frost system. It is so, but only if you instill a line on a large depth - over one and a half or two meters.

This parameter may vary depending on the region - for one (southern) depth of the primer of the soil on the SNIP is 130 cm (for the Krasnodar Territory) for other (northern) - more than 200 cm (for the Krasnoyarsk Territory).

That is, in winter, frost penetrates such a depth, and it means that the water in the pipe will freeze - that creating significant problems. Moreover, only exemplary figures are given, which may vary depending on the season - so that for loyalty should be added at least 20-30%.

Thus, it is possible to draw the following conclusion: In order to pave a water supply in the ground without insulation and do without fear that the pipes will be frozen in winter, you need to dig a trench in a depth of 2 meters at least. Earthwork works of this volume - both complex, and expensive, and laborious, and during damage to the line - you have to get to it for more repair work. So much easier to deepen about the meter, but use the insulation.

In addition to protecting from the cold, the thermal insulation of the pipeline will protect the system also from moisture (however, moisture-resistant polymer materials are used for laying under the ground), and from soil displacements that occur regularly.

There is not enough quality (or even missing) insulation of the pipeline can lead to its freezing. The consequences of such a problem - very and very serious:

  • water supply to the house will stop;
  • the simplicity area can burst (since water during freezing increases in volume);
  • it will be necessary to break the trench (in winter, in the frost) along the entire length of the pipeline - to find and fix the problem.

2 pipeline insulation methods

As mentioned above, the thermal insulation of pipes deployed in the ground can be performed in several ways. List them:

  1. Application roll Materials and.
  2. The use of thermal insulation shell.
  3. Application of the heating electrocable.
  4. Application of bulk materials.
  5. The use of pipes with a large wall thickness.
  6. Applying additional protection over the insulation.

Usually technology insulation technologies are combined - to increase the efficiency of each method. Now - will deal with more details with each of the options.

2.1 Application of rolled materials

One of the most common methods of insulation of water pipes, laid in the Earth, is a winding by their rolled mineral wool materials. This material is universal, and is applied not only for pipes, but also for any other designs.

Such thermal insulation is used to protect lines passing on the surface - it is cheap, simply (if desired, without any problems can be made with your own hands) and quite efficiently - with a large thickness of the material.

The disadvantage of the option is the weak stability of the wool to moisture as well - it absorbs the liquid is taken by lumps, and faster loses its properties. In order to avoid such problems, the mineral wool insulation on top is covered with a polyethylene film in several layers. To enhance the effect, you can also use a metal or polymer casing, which is put on pipes on top of mineral wool and polyethylene.

Consider the key stages of the application of the material:

  1. The pipeline is firmly wound with a material in several layers.
  2. On top of the minvati - the wire is wound.
  3. On top of the design - polyethylene and / or ocheme are used.

2.2 Application of thermal insulation shell

Modern option created specifically for insulation of pipelines. It is a cylinder that is put on top of the pipe like a casing. Maybe two types (according to the design):

  1. Whole.
  2. Disclane - when the cylinder consists of two disconnecting parts.

Each options has its own characteristics, its pros and cons. The first is good because it has fewer seams, which means it is better to keep warm. The second is more convenient, however, when used, unnecessary joints are obtained.

In essence, this is not a critical nuance: when proper montage and using an additional layer (polyethylene or casing from above) Such insulation will be no less efficient than using a whole cylinder.

The shell's team in addition is the only possible way if the pipeline is already assembled - in this case, it is simply not possible to put on a whole cylinder. The detachable shell has special grooves that improve the tightness and reliability of the connection.

2.3 Application of heating electrocabyl

More expensive option from the list modern solutions from . The principle is as follows: a thin cable is wound around the pipeline, which, when turned on, heats up, giving heat in the pipe itself. The insulation of this type is the method of controversial, and has a number of significant as advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include the following items:

  • the ability to enable and disable heating system;
  • the possibility of regulation of temperature;
  • significant efficiency, allowing to dig pipes into the ground to a smaller depth.

Minuses, however, not less:

  • the consumption of electricity increases (and therefore - and payment of utility payments);
  • in the absence of electricity, the system cannot work, which can lead to frost to freezing.

Warming in this way is recommended to be used only in combination with any other thermal insulator. By the way, with regard to combination - the cable itself is a reliable insulation, and its temperature does not exceed 60-70 degrees. Thus, the insulation itself does not suffer - since the melting point of thermal insulators is much higher.

2.4 Application of heating electrocable (video)


2.5 Application of bulk materials

The easiest, cheapest, but less effective option - use bulk insulation:

  • sand:
  • perlite;
  • ceramzit;
  • vermiculite on.

This method is used only in combination with any of other options - insulation with bulk materials is not effective, and cannot be prevented from freezing the pipeline separately. Application technology - extremely simple:

  1. A layer of material (the more - the better, by itself, is usually about 10-20 cm, it is usually about 10-20 cm).
  2. Pipe laying and its insulation in any way.
  3. The system falls asleep with the material (again - the more - the better).

It is important to pour insulation not only to the depth, but also in width - so the trench is recommended not to do too narrow. It is desirable that around the pipe was a layer of at least 10 cm of the material.

2.6 Application of pipes with large wall thickness

If insulation is planned at the system design, it is recommended to pay attention to pipes that are specifically created with a greater wall thickness. They are used for laying indoors and outdoors (including both in Earth) - wherever additional protection against freezing is required.

The cost of such products is usually 20-50% higher (depending on the thickness, of course) than in pipes with a conventional wall thickness. The effectiveness of such a method is difficult to name significant, but in the aggregate, after all, the use of such materials is relevant. By the way, they can be performed both from metal and from various polymer compositions.

2.7 Application of additional protection over the insulation

How repeatedly mentioned above - when laying pipes in the ground, it is relevant to use additional defense. It is necessary to protect the material from moisture, as well as the shifts of soil (which occurs quite often with temperature drops).

Now the most common solutions are the following materials:

  1. Polyethylene film (protects against moisture, but does not prevent the impact on the insulation when the soil shifts).
  2. Metal ocheme - galvanized metal cylinders, which are put on the pipe and fasten with fasteners and / or wire.
  3. Polymer casing are cylinders from polymer alloys that wear on the pipe and fasten with special latches.

Any of the materials described above can be applied underground without additional protection.

2.8 about the types and differences of thermal insulation (video)


2.9 Stages of work

We list the full list of works that will have to be performed when the water supply system is insulated in the ground. As an example, we will consider a combination of several methods mentioned above.

Stages are as follows:

  1. Trench is digging (it is desirable at least - to the depth of the soil freezing) by about 25-30 cm wide.
  2. At the bottom of the trench, clamzit is poured - 10 cm.
  3. Polyethylene film is laid on the ceramzite.
  4. Pipeline installation is performed.
  5. On top of the pipeline, the installation of the plug-in thermal insulation shell is made (let's say, out of foam).
  6. Connections between the segments of the shell are labeled with glue, after which they are tightly pressed to each other.
  7. Polyethylene film is tightly wound on the insulation in several layers.
  8. Wire (galvanized) is tightly wound over top of the film.
  9. The layer of claympsite is poured - 10 cm thick and 20 cm high.
  10. Trench burst.