Protection against freezing of household pipelines. Frost protection and heating of pipelines

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During the winter season, the functionality of the pipeline deteriorates significantly due to freezing water and narrowing of free space. This situation can be avoided by installing pipe freeze protection.

Features of using cable heating

Main feature of the system cable heating to protect pipelines from freezing is that it can be laid not only outside the pipe, but also inside.

Areas of application of these protection systems:

They are used in domestic and industrial water supply systems;
In conventional pipelines;
Optimal for insulating external pipes, including underground ones;
Excellent for insulating pipes in basements.

The purpose of cable heating is to prevent pipes from freezing

In addition to the heating function, the electric cable is notable for other capabilities. It helps maintain the viscosity of the transported liquid. Prevents the formation of ice formations. The cable protects the pipes from possible rupture due to icing.

When using it, there are no obstacles to the normal flow of liquid. In this case, water will not mix with ice at the outlet of the pipe, and the speed of its transportation increases. And condensation will not form on the surface of the pipeline.

Materials and components for the implementation of cable heating

The cable protection system against freezing of water pipes includes a thermostat and the cable itself.

But it may also include additional components. These include, for example, seals for placing the cable inside the pipe and other materials.

System power

The efficiency of a cable heating system is determined by its power. This indicator is determined during calculations. It is not recommended to place cable with excess or insufficient power. In the first case, maintaining the operation of the system will require large amounts of electricity. In the second, the heating efficiency will decrease, water icing and other negative factors will appear.

When calculating the required power, you need to consider:

The place where the pipes are laid;
Section diameter, length and type of pipeline;
The degree of thermal insulation.

Tip: Larger diameter pipes require more power cable. Similar requirements for poor thermal insulation. For plastic pipes systems with a power of no more than 10 W/m are preferred. For metal structures this figure is higher. For pipelines operated at liquid temperatures from +40 o C, it is necessary to use silicone cables.

Installation of heating cable on a pipe

First option

You can simply stretch the cable along the entire pipe, stick it with aluminum adhesive tape and connect it to the power supply. In this case, it will be necessary to calculate the optimal power for heating a linear meter of water supply.

Second option

First you need to glue the cable to the pipeline using aluminum adhesive tape, leaving gaps of about 30 cm. Then glue the entire cable with it. This approach will protect it from contact with the heat insulator. As a result, there will be good thermal contact with the structure.

For subsequent comfort, it is advisable to apply markings on top of the pipe, which will indicate the presence electric cable for protection from the cold.
When the cable is in the ground, and, accordingly, the pipe for the cable is in the ground, then it is advisable to place a bright light in the area above it plastic tape. It will indicate the presence underground pipeline heated in this area.
It is preferable to attach the temperature sensor to a section located in the gap between the threads of the heating cable on top of the structure.
When performing thermal insulation, you must carefully monitor the condition of the cable; it should not be damaged under any circumstances.

Installation of heating cable in a pipe

It is worth noting separately that the option of placing the cable inside the pipe is acceptable. It is quite common to place a heating cable for a water supply inside a pipe, as this is quite effective. The advantage of this method is the minimum power required to prevent water from freezing.

Procedure for placing the cable in the pipe:

Turn off the water supply and pump out the pipeline;
Install a thread at the turn of the pipeline;
Insert the cable into it;
Lay the cable along the entire highway;
Seal the cut-in hole with a rubber insert;
Screw a nut into the threaded hole, which will press the rubber;
Connect the cable to the power supply; for this you need to use a heat-shrinkable sleeve (more details: " ").

It is not necessary to use a cable to protect pipes from freezing. Special thermal insulation materials can cope with this task. There are many varieties of them on sale.

The most popular materials used for thermal insulation of pipeline systems:

Fiberglass thermal insulation (also called glass wool). This material most often used for insulation metal-plastic pipes. Glass wool requires good insulation as it crumbles due to its low density. Roofing felt and fiberglass are best suited for this.
Basalt insulation Sold in cylinder form. No special trays are needed for its installation, and the material itself consists of basalt fiber. For a protective layer this insulation Parchment, foil and roofing felt work well.
Foamed synthetic rubber is distinguished by the fact that this material for thermal insulation of pipes is very elastic and flexible. This insulation is sold in tubes various diameters and in sheets. Foamed synthetic rubber is used mainly to protect water pipes from freezing, as well as heating and sewer systems(read also: “How to install a heating cable in a sewer pipe, which one to use”).
Foam insulation can be found commercially in the form of shells. It is not necessary to use an external coating for them, but such a possibility is present. Foam plastic materials are suitable for insulating underground and above-ground pipelines.
Expanded polystyrene thermal insulation is produced in the form of segments and half-cylinders. Such insulation materials are used to protect underground and above-ground highways.

Anti-freeze pipes

Pre-insulated anti-freeze pipes are used for sewer systems, as well as for cold water supply networks. They are also suitable for laying underground. Such pipes have a channel for placing cable heating. Their service life, if all installation and operation standards are followed, exceeds 50 years.

Protection against freezing of pipes, implemented using an electric cable, is reliable protection pipeline against liquid icing. Its use will provide a private house access to water, including in winter.

No matter how much has been written on the topic of arranging a water supply system, however, every year plumbers are not left without work due to the freezing of water supply systems and the freezing of heating systems. The number is especially increasing emergency situations in years with particularly harsh winters.

And since none of the mere mortals can predict how warm this winter will be, it’s worth thoroughly preparing for each season.

As you know, it is much easier to prevent problems than to eliminate them later. For this reason, if there are prerequisites that the water supply may freeze, or if you are just going to lay the water supply that is intended to be used all year round, then you should take care of its insulation. This is especially true in cases where water is drawn from a well that is located far from your home.

The main task in ensuring water supply for year-round use is to lay pipes below the freezing depth. In each region, this indicator may differ and be individual. In some areas, pipes have to be lowered by 1.5 or even 2 meters. Digging a trench of such depth is not an easy task. Sometimes this is physically impossible due to the characteristics of the soil. In this article we will look at alternative options who help arrange warm water supply without lowering the pipes to great depths.

Constantly circulating water

When it is not possible to resort to technical sophistications, it is enough to simply leave a tap open so that the water constantly flows in a thin stream. The method is simple. Yes, it is not always justified because if water flows into the septic tank, it overflows, because... even the thinnest stream can turn into hundreds of liters per day. At the same time, the already purified drinking water. In addition, electricity is senselessly wasted on its supply. Another minus this method The problem is that summer residents often simply forget to open the treasured faucet. After all, the habit of keeping the water well closed makes itself felt. And this, as you might guess, leads to freezing of the water supply.

Is it possible to properly circulate water? Can. To do this, you need to duplicate the water pipe. The second one will be used as a return line. During operation, the pump pumps water out of the existing well, drives it through these two pipes and returns it back to the well.

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To reduce the load on the pump, you can set a timer. With its help you can set the frequency of operation of the unit. For example, 1-2 minutes of work after 30 minutes of rest. At the same time, the water will not have time to freeze, and electricity will be saved.

When a liter of water freezes, 330 kJ of thermal energy is released. In terms of cotton wool, this amounts to 90 W*hours. Heat loss per linear meter pipes are approximately 10-15 watts.

When we know the diameter of a given pipe and the volume of water that is in it, we can calculate the frequency of pump operation with which it is necessary to replace cooled water with warmer water from the well.

Removing water from the water supply

As you know, what does not exist cannot deteriorate. As well as freezing too. For this reason, during a long absence, wise people simply drain the water from the system in the fall.

For those who have a submersible pump in the well, it is enough to make a small hole with a diameter of 2-3 mm in the hose next to the pump. In this case, immediately after turning it off, all the water from the system will drain back, i.e. into the well. At the opposite end of the pipe is installed check valve, allowing air to fill the pipe as water drains. When the pump is turned on again, this valve closes and water flows freely into the water supply.

The same summer residents who have suction pumps that are located in basements or directly in the house, may encounter some difficulties.

The fact is that there is a check valve at the inlet end of the supply pipe. It prevents water from returning to the well. Therefore, in this case, the system will have to be supported by water supplied from some container. Organizing this is not difficult. Bringing the system into operational state will take a few minutes. However, when leaving, you will need to remember to drain the water from the system.

Creating high pressure in the water supply

According to the laws of physics, water does not freeze under pressure. This can be observed in water intakes that are located on the streets. Oddly enough, they do not freeze even in the most severe frosts. Yes, of course, the pipes are laid to a sufficient depth. However, the speakers themselves are located above the surface of the earth, under the influence of frost and wind. And yet, at any time of the year we can draw water from them. The reason for this phenomenon is that the water is under pressure of 2-4 atmospheres.
Based on the above, you can connect a small receiver to the water supply. When you need to leave, create a pressure in it of 3 to 5 atmospheres. In this case, the water in the system will no longer freeze. When will you need to use the water supply again? overpressure is pitted against.

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Naturally, this method places special demands on pipes. They must be designed for such loads. Nevertheless, as one of the options, it has the opportunity to be implemented.

This method is most easily applied to submersible pumps, developing the required pressure. In this case, a check valve is installed after the pump. The tap in front of the receiver closes and the pump turns on. After this, the entire system, from the well to the receiver itself, is under the required pressure. Again, we repeat, the pipeline must be designed for such loads.

Pipe heating with cable

Currently, this method is most widespread. The idea is simple. After all, winter, even the harshest, lasts only a few months. Therefore, the pipeline can freeze only during this cold period.

If instead of 2 meters you bury a pipe 50 cm deep, wind a heating cable around it and insulate it, then the water will not freeze.

If you take a branded cable, then its cost can range from 400 to 500 rubles. per linear meter. The distribution power is 10-20 W per linear meter. If you want something cheaper, you can use regular wire. A heating cable made at home is usually low voltage. In theory, it can be used both outside the pipe and inside. However, it is worth remembering that even at low voltage, the current can affect pets.

Typically, the water supply freezes where the pipe enters the house. If you wrap it with a few meters of cable, the problem can be eliminated.

Pipe heating with air

Before talking about the technical side of the matter, we need to remember some features of heat transfer in the soil. So, in winter the soil begins to freeze, starting from upper layers, down. Below, below the freezing point, the temperature is always above zero. At the same time, according to the laws of physics, heat tends upward.

With the arrival of winter, the operation of the pipeline becomes significantly more difficult due to ice jams that appear under the influence of frost. Frozen water narrows the passage opening and can cause pipe damage. Therefore, in winter it is necessary to protect pipes from freezing as reliably as possible.

Organization of water circulation

Water is less likely to freeze if it is constantly circulating through the pipes. This can be achieved using the “open tap” method. But this is irrational in the absence of a central sewerage system, if water is supplied using a pump. In this case, it is better to organize closed system pipeline by installing a second pipe and a three-way valve. The liquid will circulate and drain back into the well. Set a timer to turn on the pump to reduce electricity consumption.

If water is supplied from a centralized water supply, it is better to drain in small portions. Use a storage tank to store water.

Cable heating

You can protect your water supply from freezing using an electrical cable. He has waterproofing coating, so it can be installed both on top of the pipe and inside. To determine the required cable power, you need to take into account the type and diameter of the pipe, its location, length, and the presence of thermal insulation. The longer the pipe and the thinner the layer of thermal insulation protection, the more powerful the cable should be.

The wire for installation inside has a special coating, which allows use in pipelines with drinking water. It is connected via a standard tee. If the cable is installed outside, it is attached to the pipe using aluminum tape, and insulation is put on top to avoid heat loss. It is better to use a thermostat complete with a cable to save electricity.

Video: heating cable for pipes

Thermal insulation materials

Additionally, you can protect pipes from freezing using materials that have low thermal conductivity and high resistance to external factors:

Glass wool. This is a type of mineral wool with a fibrous structure, for the production of which the same raw materials are used as for the production of glass. Due to its low density, the material crumbles, so it must be additionally insulated with fiberglass or roofing felt.
Styrofoam. The material is obtained by foaming polystyrene granules. Produced in the form of a cover of 2 halves in a longitudinal section. It is characterized by low strength, so it needs additional protection.
Basalt insulation. Made from basalt fiber in the shape of cylinders. Requires a protective layer, which can be foil insulation or roofing felt.
Foamed rubber. Elastic, waterproof material can provide heat savings of up to 70%. Available in the form of tubes or sheets.

Application of warm air

In winter, the ground freezes from top to bottom. Thus, heat spreads from below. In most cases, pipes are insulated along the entire perimeter. Thermal insulation occurs not only from cold air from above, but also from heat from below. Therefore, it is better to protect the pipe from the cold with a layer of heat-insulating material only on top. It will be provided by heat coming from the ground.

Can you lay a water pipe inside? polypropylene pipe larger diameter. Warm air will be pumped into the collector from a heated room or basement.

To avoid freezing of pipes, it is better to take this possibility into account even at the stage of organizing water supply and ensure reliable thermal insulation.

You can do winter water supply at your dacha yourself in two ways:

bury it so that it does not freeze (below the freezing depth);
lay shallow, but with insulation and/or heating.

Insulating a water pipeline is an undertaking that requires not so much money as labor - digging trenches, laying pipes, wrapping them, throwing and compacting the soil, all this takes time and considerable effort. But the result is the availability of water in the house at any time of the year.

Laying pipes below freezing depth

This method is advisable to use if in winter the soil freezes no deeper than 170 cm. A trench is dug from a well or borehole, the bottom of which is 10-20 cm below this value. Sand (10-15 cm) is added to the bottom and the pipes are laid in protective casing(corrugated sleeve), then covered with earth.

This is the easiest way to make winter water supply at the dacha, but it is not the best, although it is the cheapest. Its main drawback is that if repairs are necessary, you will have to dig again, and to the full depth. And since it is difficult to determine the location of a leak with this method of laying a water pipeline, there will be a lot of work.

To ensure that there are as few repairs as possible, there should be as few pipe connections as possible. Ideally, there should be none at all. If the distance from the water source to the dacha is greater, make connections carefully, achieving perfect tightness. It is the joints that leak most often.

The choice of material for pipes in this case is not the most simple task. On one side there is a solid mass pressing from above, so you need durable material, and this is steel. But steel laid in the ground will actively corrode, especially if groundwater high. The problem can be solved by properly priming and painting the entire surface of the pipes. Moreover, it is advisable to use thick-walled ones - they will last longer.

The second option is polymer or metal-polymer pipes. They are not subject to corrosion, but they need to be protected from pressure - placed in a protective corrugated sleeve.

One more thing. The depth of soil freezing in the region is determined over the past 10 years - its average indicators are calculated. But firstly, very cold winters with little snow occur periodically, and the ground freezes deeper. Secondly, this value is the average for the region and does not take into account the conditions of the site. Perhaps it is on your piece that freezing may be greater. All this means that when laying pipes, it is still better to insulate them, lay sheets of polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene on top, as in the photo on the right, or lay them in thermal insulation, as on the left.

Pipeline insulation

When supplying water to a private house from a well and a borehole, the pipeline can be laid at a very shallow depth - 40-50 cm - this is quite enough. Just laying pipes in such a shallow trench needs to be insulated. If you want to do everything thoroughly, then lay out the bottom and sides of the trench with some kind of building material- brick or building blocks. Everything is covered with slabs on top.

If desired, you can fill in the soil and plant annuals - if necessary, the soil can be easily removed and free access to the pipeline is provided.

Insulation for water pipes

Two types of insulation can be used:

special energy-saving shells molded in the form of pipes, they are also called “pipe shells”;
roll material - ordinary insulation in the form of rolls, which is used for walls, roofing, etc.

Thermal insulation for pipes in the form of a shell is made from the following materials:

Mineral wool has glass wool and stone wool- there is one significant drawback: they are hygroscopic. By absorbing water they lose most of their thermal insulation properties. After drying, they are only partially restored. And another very unpleasant moment if it’s wet mineral wool freezes, after freezing it turns into dust. To prevent this from happening, these materials require careful waterproofing. If you cannot guarantee the absence of moisture, it is better to use another material.

Heating

When planning the installation of winter water supply, you need to keep in mind that insulation only helps reduce heat loss, but cannot provide heat. And if at some point the frost turns out to be stronger, the pipe will freeze. Particularly problematic in this sense is the area where the pipe leads from the underground sewer into the house, even a heated one. Still, the soil near the foundation is often cold, and it is in this area that problems most often arise.

If you don't want to freeze your water supply, heat the pipe. For this purpose, either heating plates are used, depending on the diameter of the pipes and the required heating power. Cables can be laid lengthwise or wound in a spiral.

Method of attaching the heating cable to water pipe(the cable must not lie on the ground)

A heating cable is good for everyone, but it’s not so rare that our electricity goes out for several days. What will happen to the pipeline then? The water will freeze and may burst the pipes. A renovation work in the middle of winter - not the most pleasant experience. That’s why they combine several methods - they lay a heating cable and insulation on it. This method is also optimal from the point of view of minimizing costs: under thermal insulation, the heating cable will consume a minimum of electricity.

Another way to attach a heating cable. To reduce your electricity bills, you also need to install a heat-insulating shell on top or secure roll insulation

Laying a winter water supply system in a dacha can be done using the type of thermal insulation shown in the video (or you can take the idea and do something similar with your own hands).

Winter water supply at the dacha: new technologies in insulation

Eat interesting option, polymer flexible pipe, insulated at the factory. There is a layer of waterproofing on top of the insulation, and along the pipe there is a channel for laying a heating cable. Such pipes are called anti-freeze pipes or insulated pipes. For example, even in the northern regions, it is possible to make winter water supply at the dacha over the surface using ISOPROFLEX-ARCTIC pipes.

Operating temperature - up to -40°C, operating pressure- from 1.0 to 1.6 MPa, pressure pipe diameter - from 25 mm to 110 mm. It can be laid in a channel or on the surface. They are flexible and supplied in coils of the required length, which allows us to minimize the number of joints.

Is there some more new way insulate the winter water supply at the dacha - liquid thermal insulation or thermal insulation paint. It can be applied to an already installed water supply system, which can be a good solution.

Pipeline freeze protection is a special heating cable system that is designed to ensure the proper functioning of pipelines during low temperatures. After all, freezing of liquid in systems can lead to malfunctions, damage to the pipeline and even rupture of pipes. Protection devices in the form of heating cables are used for cold and hot water supply systems, as well as heating. They have high technical characteristics and provide efficient work pipelines at any temperature. The operating principle of this cable is quite simple. It is equipped with a special thermostat, which, when a signal is received from temperature sensors, automatically turns on the heating system. The cable generates heat, thereby maintaining the required temperature of the liquid in the pipes. When the set temperature is reached, the system automatically turns off. Pipeline freeze protection is effective and capable of operating in different conditions. The heating cable ensures a constant flow of liquid in the pipes and increases the speed of its transportation.

The heating cable is installed along the entire length of the pipe exposed to negative temperatures. The power source for the cable is a regular household network. The cable has a special thermostat that automatically turns the heating on (off) when the specified critical temperatures are reached tap water or environment. There are models of cables with constant or variable heating power. The latter flexibly adapt to different temperature readings in individual sections of pipes and provide more intense heating in areas of freezing. Cables are available with different linear heating power (W/m) and can generate temperatures above +85C.

For ease of use, ready-made cable sections ranging from 2 to 45 meters in length are provided. Flexible heating elements can be manufactured both for external use and for installation inside a pipeline. Indoor installation is less energy-consuming because it is aimed at directly increasing the temperature of the liquid rather than heating the pipe surfaces. Pipe heating cables have durable multilayer insulation that does not emit harmful substances V work environment and changes the taste of water. In order to save money, installation of heating cables on the surface of the pipeline is most often carried out parallel to the communication line. For convenient attachment to the pipe, aluminum tape with a special frost-resistant adhesive layer is used. Another, more efficient way to install heating cables is to wrap them around a pipe in a spiral manner.

Pipeline freeze protection consists of a heating part in the form of a cable and accessories for attaching it to the pipe, distribution network and control system. The advantages of heating cables include not only the efficiency of their operation, but also ease of management. The cable has a built-in thermostat that can operate automatically according to specified parameters. Also, special sensors are installed on the pipes to monitor the temperature of the liquid in the system and air. You can manage security systems manually, but this will take a lot of time. Pipeline freeze protection is presented in our catalog different options. Self-regulating heating cable can be installed on top of the pipe or directly inside the pipe. Both types of protection are reliable and practical. The heating cable has unique ability. It is capable of automatically changing its power as the temperature in the pipes increases. What does this say about the safety of such systems? Protection systems operate in an energy-saving mode, which allows the pipeline to be heated without significant energy costs. The cost of a heating cable from any manufacturer depends on its type and meterage.

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