Proper insulation of a well for the winter with your own hands. To prevent the well from freezing: insulation for the winter Insulation of a water supply well

When building a private house, an autonomous water supply is installed. A well or borehole serves as a source for it. The system should work uninterruptedly, but in winter problems may arise due to freezing of hydraulic structures. They need thermal insulation. Let's consider how to properly organize the insulation of a well or borehole in order to save as much effort, time and money as possible.

Which structures need insulation and why?

Some wells do not need additional thermal insulation; it is enough to cover them with a sealed lid. These are buildings built using old technology - with wooden walls and a log frame. Wood holds heat well. If the shaft is covered with an insulated wooden cover and a house is built, the problem is solved automatically. The water in such a well will not freeze even in the most severe frosts.

The situation is completely different with structures made of metal and concrete. These materials are durable and can cope with any mechanical loads, but do not have any special heat-insulating properties. It is necessary to think about how to insulate a well made of concrete rings. If the aquifer lies relatively deep, a decrease in temperature will not affect the operation of the water supply system, but in shallow wells the water becomes covered with an ice crust.

Scheme of autonomous water supply from a well

Low temperatures and changes negatively affect the performance of the well: in cold weather, pumping equipment fails, the casing and supply pipes freeze and perform their functions worse. To prevent interruptions in water supply, it is necessary to select effective insulating materials and install them correctly.

Advice. It is best to carry out measures to insulate a water supply well immediately after its construction and arrangement. In unfavorable conditions, the structure may not survive even one severe winter and will require major repairs within the first year of operation.

Scheme: water supply to a private house from a well

How to insulate a well for the winter with your own hands

Ground parts of hydraulic structures, as well as those located at ground level, need thermal insulation. When insulating a well for the winter, pay special attention to the top ring and cover. In most cases, it makes sense to build a house.

The following nuances need to be taken into account:

• Top ring. This part of the structure must be insulated, because... Temperature changes over time can lead to cracks. Through them, surface water enters the mine and contaminates the drinking well. Polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, isolon, and mineral wool are usually chosen as insulation materials.

• Cover for a well. In addition to the top cover, a special cover is made for the well at ground level. It protects the mine from debris, atmospheric water, and temperature changes, so it must be durable, without cracks or cracks. For better thermal insulation, this cover can be additionally trimmed with any available insulation. Polystyrene foam is often used.

• Little house. In regions with harsh climates, the house must protect the entire above-ground part of the well. The ideal option is if it is made of wood and additionally insulated from the inside. In areas where winters are mild, you can build a light roof or do without a house at all.

Stage 1: making a warm cover for the well

For the lid you will need plywood, good glue, wire, polystyrene foam with a thickness of 5 cm, and polyurethane foam. It is advisable to immediately take care of ventilation, because... A tightly closed well often rots. Bacteria multiply in the water, making it unsuitable for drinking and cooking. For ventilation, use a small piece of plastic pipe of suitable diameter.

Work order:

• Two circles are cut out of plywood. Their diameter must match the diameter of the top of the well.

• In both plywood circles, holes with a diameter of no more than 6 cm are cut for the ventilation pipe and hose. You will also need to drill 4 small holes for the wire that will hold the structure.

• The same circle should be cut out of the insulation as from plywood, and the corresponding holes should be made in it.

• The insulating layer is placed between sheets of plywood and firmly glued on both sides. Seams and joints are sealed with polyurethane foam.

• All that remains is to install the ventilation pipe and pass the hose into the hole.

• The finished cover for the well is attached to a wire through 4 holes and lowered to the required depth (to ground level).

Moisture-resistant plywood cover

Stage 2: how to insulate a well “under a fur coat”

To insulate a well with polystyrene foam, you will need to buy the heat insulator itself, polyurethane foam, paint and plaster. It is best to take polystyrene foam in the form of blocks with a tongue-and-groove connection. It is necessary to insulate two concrete rings: the first completely, the second partially. Since this involves excavation, you will need a shovel and tools to remove soil from the concrete.

Mounting polystyrene foam on a ring

Insulation of a well with polystyrene foam:

• The well rings are dug to a depth of about 0.5 m. The width of the hole should be at least 20 cm. The concrete is thoroughly cleaned of clods of earth, after which the first layer of “coat” is made. The cracks are filled with polyurethane foam.

• A heat insulator is mounted on top of the finished coating. It is attached with glue, and the gaps that form during operation are filled with foam.

• Insulated rings are plastered. When the solution is completely dry, a layer of facade paint is applied on top of it. It is needed to protect the inner layers of the insulating cake from getting wet.

• After the paint has dried, the hole is filled with the excavated soil and compacted well. Expanded clay can be used as an additional insulating layer.

Expanded polystyrene is not the only material that is used to insulate a well. You can use mineral wool or any other insulator. An excellent option is polyurethane foam. To apply it you will need a special sprayer, and the technology itself is quite complex. However, the result is worth the money and effort spent: the heat insulator does not rot, is not afraid of water, rodents, insects, fungus, mold. It can last for many years without losing its properties.

Insulating a well for the winter with your own hands using polyurethane foam:

• A pit about 0.5 m deep and 10 cm wide is dug around the structure, after which the bars are installed in increments of 40 cm.

• Next, formwork is made from sheet steel and carefully covered with plastic film. This is necessary so that the formwork can be removed later. Polyurethane foam firmly adheres to any materials, so the film will stick to it forever.

• When the material hardens, it expands, so the entire pit cavity will be filled. If gaps and voids remain, they can be filled with foam. The insulation layer must be complete, without cracks.

• When the polyurethane foam has dried, the formwork is removed, and the surface is plastered and painted in the same way as when insulating with foam plastic. The hole is filled with earth and compacted.

Note! Insulating a well with polyurethane foam is always reliable, but it is better to make an additional cover at ground level. In severe frosts it will be useful.

Polyurethane foam is a reliable heat insulator

Stage 3: building a warm house for the well

There are several options for arranging a well house. A good choice is a hexagonal structure insulated with polystyrene foam. This shape is best suited for finishing with insulating material: it will firmly adhere to surfaces. To build a house of this type you will need sheets of plywood, insulation, waterproof film, logs, wire (preferably aluminum), nails, and tools. A drawing with dimensions is shown in the figure below.

Diagram of a hexagonal house with a roof

Work order:

• The top ring of the well is covered with a waterproof film.

• The insulation sheets are cut into 6 identical rectangles so that during installation they tightly surround the top of the well.

• The insulating material is mounted around the ring and secured with wire.

• The next stage is the construction of a hexagonal frame around the top of the well. It is also advisable to make a roof so that rain and snow do not fall on the cover.

• The finished structure can be decorated with carvings and decorative elements. Such a house will serve not only as protection for the well, but also as a landscape decoration.

Video: installation of roll insulators

You can also thermally insulate the upper ring of the well using isolon or other rolled materials. How to do it yourself is shown in the video below:

Basic methods of well insulation

Water in wells rarely freezes, because... structures are drilled to quite great depths. If the water supply is used only seasonally, it is better to preserve the well for the winter. And in private houses, where it is necessary to ensure uninterrupted water supply, the upper part of the pipe and the supply line to the house are insulated.

When considering options for how to insulate the upper part, it is better to choose a caisson for a well. It is installed below the soil freezing level. If the structure is sealed, then additional protective measures will not be required. You can also build an insulated box that will cover the head of the well. Equipment is also located here.

Advice. In areas with a warm climate, it is quite possible to get by with a protective box-house, but where there are severe frosts, it is better not to skimp on insulation and install a caisson.

Sometimes wells are thermally insulated using improvised means - sawdust, straw, etc. Such half measures only save you for a couple of years. Natural materials quickly rot and lose their heat-insulating properties. You will have to replace them very quickly, otherwise problems with water intake will arise. It makes sense to spend money on high-quality insulation, but ensure reliable protection of the source for many years.

Option #1: building a caisson from a barrel

How to insulate a well for the winter with your own hands? The most reasonable solution is to buy a ready-made insulated caisson of industrial production and entrust its installation to the specialists of the selling company. However, this is the most expensive option. If you want to save money but get an equally reliable design, you can make a caisson yourself.

You will need a plastic or metal barrel of 200-500 liters. You can take a used one if the walls are not damaged or corroded by rust, and the lid closes tightly.

As for the volume, you should choose based on the functions that the improvised caisson will perform. A 200-liter pump can accommodate a maximum pump, but a volume of 500 liters should be enough to install all the necessary equipment.

How to insulate a well on the street using a caisson:

• A pit is dug around the pipe to the level of soil freezing plus another 40 cm. The width of the trench should correspond to the size of the barrel plus another 50 cm. The bottom of the hole is covered with a 10-centimeter layer of sand and gravel mixture.

• Holes are cut in the container for the well head and water pipe. After this, the barrel is put on the well pipe and lowered.

• When the structure is installed, you can connect the water supply pipe and install a condensate drain pipe.

• For additional insulation of the caisson, foam plastic, mineral wool, and isolon are used. The heat insulator is mounted on the outside of the barrel and secured.

• A hole is cut in the lid of the barrel and a ventilation tube is installed. The lid itself is insulated with the same material as the walls.

• At the end of the work, the pit is filled with the excavated soil and compacted thoroughly. The caisson is ready for operation.

Option #2: arrangement of a box-house

To insulate a well, you can build a wooden, metal or brick box with your own hands. It is made in the form of a small house with a pitched roof to protect it from snow and rain. They are insulated from the inside - with polystyrene foam or mineral wool. The dimensions of the box must be such that all downhole equipment can freely fit in it.

Insulated box for the well head

Work order:

• The walls of the box are laid out from bricks, blocks or made of plywood.

• The surface of the walls is leveled, if necessary. The foam is mounted on an adhesive composition. Seams, gaps and joints are sealed with polyurethane foam.

• The insulation is covered with a sheet of chipboard and secured.

• The lid is made in the form of a pitched roof, insulated, and hung on hinges. If necessary, you can close the box with a padlock.

Option #3: use available materials

How to insulate a well in a region with a mild climate? If the temperature in winter does not drop below 15 degrees, and the owner of the well does not want to install a box, you can make do with sawdust, straw or dry leaves. The first option is preferable.

Sawdust as insulation

Insulating a well for the winter with your own hands:

• A pit is dug around the casing to a depth of 0.5 m below the freezing level of the soil. The width of the hole depends on the amount of materials with which it is planned to fill it.

• Dry insulation is laid in layers in the foundation pit and compacted.

• When the insulation layer is almost equal to the ground level, soil is poured on top and compacted thoroughly.

Advice. You can equip not just an insulating, but also a waterproofing pillow. To do this, sawdust is mixed with liquid clay. The resulting mixture is placed in a pit and covered with soil. Clay will additionally strengthen the soil around the hydraulic structure.

Diagram: water well design

There are often disputes on the Internet about the advisability of insulating wells and boreholes for the winter. Some users believe that in the southern regions this is an unnecessary waste. However, sensible owners are well aware that even in the warmest region there are severe winters, and measures to thermally insulate the source are much cheaper than repairs. It is necessary to insulate the water intake, and this must be done efficiently.

If a hydraulic structure is insulated, the temperature in it does not fall below 5 degrees. Water does not freeze even in severe frosts, and the walls of the structure suffer less from temperature changes. The biggest trouble that can happen is freezing of the supply pipe at the entrance to the house. The ice plug is simply melted with hot water, and the system resumes operation. Otherwise, no problems.

In private homes located in regions where winter temperatures are quite low, the question arises about using wells in winter. If they are not insulated, the water may freeze. The pipes and pump will freeze, and there is a chance you will be left without water supply. Insulation of a well can certainly be done, and in some cases with your own hands, without the help of special teams.

No need to insulate

In those structures where the water is below the freezing level, the water remains in its normal state, without ice.

We need to insulate

If the groundwater level in the area where you live is high, then there is a chance that the water in the well will freeze. An ice plug freezes on its surface, which can reach a thickness of up to half a meter. With any movement: the pump is activated or the level simply drops, this plug, whose weight reaches up to 500 kg, can fall down and cause significant damage.

If the well is shallow, it can freeze completely. In this case, the concrete rings will crack and shift, the cable will break, and the pump and drainage pipes will freeze. The entire water supply system will be inoperative. Expensive repairs and replacement of all components will be required.

Insulation methods

In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to take a number of measures aimed at protecting against frost. Depending on how necessary it is, insulation can be divided into several options.

• Installing a warm cover or decorative house to protect the upper ring of the well from freezing
• Insulation of the internal walls of the well and installation of a cover made of combined materials.
• Draining the water supply system before the onset of cold weather. This measure is necessary if you do not live in the house permanently. It is necessary to drain water from all systems of the house and in the well.

Village well

If a wooden well is built on your site, made in accordance with all village traditions, then such a structure does not need insulation. You can only install an insulated lid or a wooden house on top of it. These measures will protect not only from the cold, but also from debris.

Reinforced concrete well

Currently, reinforced concrete structures are made, which are most susceptible to destruction when frozen.

Insulating cover

To prevent the plug from freezing, an insulating cover is installed in the well at ground level. The lid should not touch the water surface. It is necessary to maintain a gap between them. You can make the lid yourself. This is done like this:

• Two blanks equal to the diameter of the well are cut out of moisture-resistant plywood. Holes are cut in the panels for the ventilation pipe.
• One shield is wrapped with waterproofing polyethylene film and lowered below ground level on hangers. The hangers are fixed.
• Solid insulation is laid on top - or.
• The second shield is being laid
• A ventilation pipe is inserted. It shouldn't touch the water

Wooden house

If the region is warm enough, the soil does not freeze to a great depth, and the groundwater is low, then for insulation it will be enough to build a wooden log house over the well. Wood holds heat well. Such a log house must be made with a blind area equal to the depth of soil freezing. For the blind area, dig a hole, lay crushed stone, sand, and concrete. A wooden frame is installed on top. The gap between the well and the log house is filled with insulation - mineral wool or expanded clay. A gable roof provides protection from precipitation and debris. To increase the service life of a wooden frame, the wood must be coated with an antiseptic impregnation, for example Aquatex.

Reinforced concrete cover

The reinforced concrete cover, reinforced with liquid glass, will last a very long time. Between the concrete rings of the well, the top and the first, a reinforced concrete cover with a hatch is installed, and it is poured on top. This is an expensive option. The price of such a cover will be more than 20,000 rubles.

Insulation of well walls

If the soil freezes seriously, a cover is not enough. The well itself must be insulated. You can choose a modern material according to your wishes. Regardless of what material you use, the first thing you need to do is dig a trench near the well to the depth of freezing of the soil.

Insulation with polystyrene foam

Clean the walls from soil and dirt. Currently, there are ready-made casings - half rings for such structures. We fasten them together using the tongue-and-groove method. The top of the casing should be painted with oil paint and covered with a layer of insulation - roofing felt or roofing felt to protect against moisture from the ground.

Insulation with polyurethane foam

Apply to the walls of the structure This material is afraid of ultraviolet rays. It must be protected with paint that does not contain acetone. It does not absorb moisture. PPU will fill all the cracks and reliably insulate. It is not necessary to order professional craftsmen. You can buy disposable installations for polyurethane foam. Do this process yourself using a nozzle - a gun.

If you use a well all year round, then for especially severe frosts, then the outlet pipe for water intake must also be insulated. Pipes are laid below the freezing level of the soil. If you don’t want to dig so deep, be sure to run a heating cable next to the pipe.

Why and who needs to know how to insulate a water supply well? Owners of private houses definitely need to ensure that the water does not freeze. At low temperatures, the water is covered with a crust of ice, and the walls are covered with frost. From the inside, the thickness of the ice coating can reach 30 cm. Frozen water expands, causing damage to the structure. Severe frostbite causes the concrete rings to shift, which can lead to decreased water quality and collapse.

If the water level is at a depth of 1-2 meters, then the well will not last long. It is also important to take into account the place of residence: in the temperate or northern zone, the soil freezes to 1.5 meters. Residents of these regions who own reinforced concrete wells definitely need to take care of their insulation for the winter.

Even if you come to your dacha only in the warm season, you still need to protect your water source from the cold. Otherwise problems may arise:

• a heavy melting plug on the edge, falling inward, can damage the pumping station;
• the rings will separate and form seams into which rotten water will fall;
• ice will damage the entire plumbing system: electrical cable, meter, boiler, water hose.

Uninsulated water structures require regular maintenance - annual restoration work will cost more than do-it-yourself thermal insulation once.

Types and materials for insulation

Previously, wells were built from wooden beams, so the water in them did not freeze. If you have such a well at your dacha, only the hatch will need thermal insulation - make a cover for it from wood, and in winter there will be no problems.

In recent decades, they have been constructed from different materials. Polymer sand material has replaced reinforced concrete or brick. This composite is durable, simple, and is also used in the construction of underground water pipelines or technical sewers.

The most common type is reinforced concrete. Concrete rings are reliable, durable, strong and easy to install. There is one drawback - the rings freeze along with the ground, so they need insulation. To do this, you can use different types of thermal insulation: insulating the hatch, the upper ring, or building a house above it outside above the well.

How to properly protect your water source? It is advisable to insulate it during the construction stage. It will cost less, and the scale of excavation work will be smaller.

How to insulate a well made of concrete rings that has already been built? To do this, you need to dig a trench around the concrete rings up to 2.5-3 meters deep. It is better to lay the insulation one meter below the ground freezing level, and to save money it is also worth insulating the water supply.

How to insulate? There are several types of insulation. Let's briefly talk about their pros and cons.

Styrofoam

Advantages: low price, easy installation, resistance to deformation, good thermal insulation.

Flaws: is exposed to rodents and insects, and in hot weather releases toxic substances.

Insulation of a well with polystyrene foam

Advantages: resistance to temperature changes is higher than that of foam plastic, the price is only 20% higher, durability is up to 25 years.

Flaws: when insulating the upper ring, it is necessary to additionally secure it from the outside with metal brackets to avoid shifting of the structure.

Polymer materials

Advantages: fastened with glue or self-adhesive, environmentally friendly.

Flaw: high price.

Polyurethane foam

Advantages: high thermal insulation, moisture resistance, stability, durability up to 50 years.

Flaws: high price, the need to use a sprayer.

Insulation with polystyrene foam

The most profitable option is polystyrene foam insulation. Penoplex made in Russia is identical in quality and properties to imported ones, but has a lower price. Available in the form of tiles. A diameter of at least 30 cm is required to evenly place the shell for the rings. For insulation, you can use waterproof clay.

Insulation of a well with polystyrene foam is similar to insulation with polystyrene foam:

1. Prepare the walls - clean them of dirt and degrease.
2. Install the shell for the concrete rings using construction adhesive.
3. If necessary, secure the penoplex with dowel nails.
4. Do waterproofing.
5. Cover the seams between the plates with foam.

Additionally, you can wrap the rings with water-repellent material. Secure the penoplex on the outer part with special metal brackets.

How to insulate a pipe in a well if it is not possible to place it below the freezing level of the ground? The best option is the same penoplex. The width of the sheets should be sufficient for the entire length of the water pipe, covering it on the sides. But is an insulated pipe necessary if it is laid deep? The deeper the pipe is, the less insulation is required. The thickness of the outside insulation for a pipe at a depth of 1 meter is 50 mm. If the pipeline goes to the surface, then more than 100 mm will be needed.

Internal insulation is also important. The best protection against freezing is a wooden or three-layer lid made by yourself. The insulation of the well cover occurs as follows: foam plastic is placed between two plywood and fixed there. The wood is then treated with a waterproof compound to prevent swelling. Holes are drilled inside: one for ventilation (a plastic pipe is inserted into it), two for fastening with wire. The finished structure is lowered inside to ground level.

How to build a house over a well

A house built over a mine is a costly but effective way to protect a water source. For construction you will need logs, cement, expanded clay, mineral wool, and tiles. In order to build a house, you need:

1. Build blind areas from cement. Can be covered with tiles or expanded clay.
2. Make a log house on the blind area.
3. Insulate the gaps between the house and the ring with cotton wool.
4. Install a gable roof.
5. Treat with moisture-resistant impregnation, then close the hatch.

Wells need to be insulated. The cost of the work will pay off in the near future, because you will not need to spend money on repairs and ordering water while the restoration is underway. The range of insulation materials is wide, so among them it is easy to find one that is suitable for you in terms of composition, installation method and price.

In some areas, only wells remain sources of clean drinking water. This may be due to various factors, such as the condition of the pipeline, which has not been maintained for decades. Therefore, they are cherished like the apple of their eye. Since the wells have different depths, their resistance to frost is different. Frozen water can be catastrophic in a home where it is the only source. To prevent this from happening, it is important to insulate the well for the winter. Is such an event necessary and what materials are best suited for this? This will be discussed in the article.

Should you be afraid?

According to their functional purpose, wells are not only water-bearing. There are some where the main water supply units are laid, others are used as a head for a well where a pump with an injector is installed. There are also those that were designed for use as a cesspool or septic tank. Each of them may need insulation, so you should make sure of the following points:

• Pipeline depth. If pumping equipment is installed in the well and it supplies the house, then it is worth measuring at what depth it is located. If its position is above freezing of the soil or at its level, then the water in the well may freeze and insulation is required.
• The well cover is missing. This can cause snow to get in, causing poor water quality. In addition, constant heat exchange can lead to freezing if the depth of the well is not too deep. Therefore, insulation of the well is required.
• Small well depth. The water surface can be at a level of 5 and 8 meters. In this case, there is nothing particularly to worry about. But if the water in the well rises to 2 meters from the surface, then it is worth carrying out work to insulate the well.
• The wastewater inlet of the septic tank is located above the freezing point of the soil. Insulation is required not only for the well, but also for the pipes themselves.
• Concrete rings. At high sub-zero temperatures, the concrete rings of a well can act as a heat conductor, which can cause the water in the well to freeze.
• There is no well head of sufficient height. Cold air enters the mine faster, so its construction and insulation is required.

Winters in one region are different from winters in another. Somewhere they are soft and experience may tell you that nothing bad can happen. But everything can change dramatically, so insulating the well will never hurt. There are cases when the river flow in a well is so fast that it does not have time to freeze in any frost. Insulation may not be required if the situation has not changed in the last few years.

If the well is located in a country house or in a country house where you do not visit in winter, this does not mean that it does not need insulation. The fact is that when water freezes, it expands and can harm the mine. This often leads to displacement of the well rings or their destruction. And replacing the lower rings requires a lot of effort. In such conditions, the seams lose their tightness faster, which means they will have to be constantly maintained and, accordingly, the well must be cleaned. The intention to make insulation is very good, all that remains is to figure out the materials that can be used to implement it.

What is better to use

Not so long ago, the main insulating material used for insulation was glass wool, as well as polystyrene foam. But the industry does not stand still and new insulation solutions are being developed that have improved properties and have greater thermal insulation. So, you can use:

After analyzing the list of insulation materials, you can choose the one that best suits your budget and planned work. There are several ways to insulate a well, which will be discussed below.

We insulate differently

Options for insulating a well vary depending on what goals are being pursued. This can be partial insulation, it can also be carried out from the inside and outside. Each of them has its own pros and cons. Also, one or more types of insulation are suitable for each.

Locking cap for well

This is one of the simplest methods of insulation. It is suitable in cases where winters in the region are not too severe. This process is also called internal insulation. To implement it you will need boards, preferably oak. Their length should be slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft. Tools you will need include a screwdriver, tape measure, jigsaw or hacksaw, marker or pencil. It is better to choose expanded polystyrene, foamed polyethylene or polyurethane foam as insulation.

Two identical shields are knocked down from the boards. The boards should fit tightly against one another so that there are no gaps between them. If possible, you can make a lock on a milling machine. Using a jigsaw or hacksaw, the shields are given a round shape. The diameter should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ring so that the lid falls freely inward. The shield, which will be closer to the water, is wrapped in oilcloth or other waterproofing material. This is required so that the wood does not rot from constant exposure to moisture. Insulation is placed on top of it and fixed using foam or self-tapping screws with plastic washers, which will ensure a secure fit.

The second shield completes the entire structure. The result should be a “pie”, the “filling” of which is insulation. It is better to close the ends so that the layer does not become frayed. It is better not to use polystyrene foam, because it can crumble and fall into the water, but catching it is a task that will take time. Next, you will need a ladder, with its help you need to go down below the level to which the ground usually freezes. Holes are made in the walls into which HEX type bolts are placed. They will serve as a limiter for the lid. A holder is made of wire or other material to the lid itself so that it can be easily pulled out and, if necessary, placed back. In the case when water is removed from the well using a bucket in winter, then a small door is additionally made, which opens with a rope or wire.

Note! Additionally, you can insulate the inside of the well from above and to the level of soil freezing. Isolon or other material is suitable for this. Using polyurethane foam or umbrellas, it is mounted on the walls of the rings. This should only be done if external insulation is not possible or this will not be an obstacle to using the source.

A good solution would also be to build a superstructure. It can be in the form of a house or another shape. Its main purpose will be to compensate for temperature differences by creating an air cushion. In order for it to fully fulfill its role, its design must be airtight to a certain extent, i.e., not have large gaps and not allow direct air flows to pass through. Additionally, it is insulated on the outside and sheathed with galvanized metal or film.

External insulation

To insulate a well in this way, there are three main solutions for a well. One of them was mentioned in the note above. Another is to reduce the freezing depth of the soil around the well to a minimum. The third is the treatment of the outer surface of the well rings. To make it easier to decide, it is important to understand:

• how long does frost last?
• how deep the ground freezes;
• is there permafrost?

If after analysis it becomes clear that there is no permafrost, and the depth of soil freezing does not exceed 1-1.8 m, then you can get by with insulating the well head. To carry out the work you will need the following tools:

• shovel;
• roulette;
• polyurethane foam;
• construction knife;
• marking tool;
• board 30 cm wide;
• nails or screws;
• screwdriver or hammer;
• hacksaw.

Using a tape measure, measure a distance of 0.7-1 m from the well in four directions. Four markers in the form of pegs or pieces of reinforcement are driven in along the marked marks. A fishing line is stretched between them. It will serve as a guide for the cultivated area. Using a shovel, the soil around the well is removed to a depth of 50 cm. It is advisable to do this evenly to create a homogeneous area. The soil is compacted using a mechanical or manual tamper. Next, work is carried out to insulate the well head.

It is good to use extruded polystyrene foam for these purposes of insulating a well for the winter with your own hands. It perfectly resists mechanical stress and will last a long time. Several sheets are cut into small rectangles using a construction knife. Their height should be such that it will be equal to the distance from the compacted soil to the top of the well ring. The smaller the width, the easier it will be to repeat the circle. To avoid gaps between the elements through which cold bridges form, they can be cut at an angle so that they fit together better. Fixation to the well is done using polyurethane foam and construction umbrellas. After completing the procedure, the reinforcing mesh is glued and the screed is made with glue. Finishing at the request of the owner.

The next step is to make a blind area for the well, which will reduce the level of soil freezing. Coarse-grained river sand is laid on the compacted earth in a layer of 15 cm. It compacts well. To make this easier, you can moisten it with water from a hose or bucket. After everything is soaked, a layer of crushed stone or pebbles is laid. Its height is also 15 cm. It levels well. Formwork is assembled from boards. Intertwined reinforcement rods are laid around the well. A solution of cement, sand and crushed stone is prepared. It is poured into the formwork and leveled. It is better not to do ironing, because it will make the surface very smooth and slippery when wet.

Note! Such an event is usually accompanied by the installation of a house on top.

External insulation in depth

This procedure for insulating a well is the most labor-intensive, but also the most reliable. To implement this, you will need the tools mentioned above. Before starting work on insulating the well, you need to go down inside and fasten all the rings with staples, if this has not been done previously. A trench is dug around the well with a shovel. Its depth should be below the soil freezing level (at least 30-50 cm). The walls are periodically cleaned so that a collapse does not occur and you do not have to repeat everything again for your own safety.

As insulation for a well, you can use polystyrene foam in the manner described above, but additionally a waterproofing material is placed on top of it, which will prevent the development of fungus and the destruction of the insulation. The ideal solution would be to apply polyurethane foam. It does not require finishing and will last for many years. If such means are not available, but the household has reserves of expanded clay, then you can do the following to insulate the well.

Waterproofing is placed in the dug trench around the well. It can be oilcloth or membrane. The latter should be laid in such a way that it gives moisture to the soil and does not let it back. In this case, the base must cover both the walls of the well, the bottom, and the outer wall. This is done because expanded clay absorbs moisture very well. And if this happens, then it will completely lose its properties and there will be no use for the well. Insulation is poured into the formed trench around the well. The edges of the membrane are wrapped and hermetically sealed. From above, the entire structure is covered with soil and compacted.

Important! A mandatory procedure will be to insulate the place where the pipe from the pump leaves the well and where it enters the house. If this is not done, then the well may be quite functional, but water will not flow into the home.

Conclusion

From the listed methods of insulating a well, feel free to choose the most suitable one according to your means and circumstances. After its completion, you will never again suffer from interruptions in water supply in winter.

The water supply for most dachas and cottages built outside the city comes from a well drilled on the site. In summer, there are no problems with the operation of this source. With the onset of the cold season, there is a risk of freezing of the casing and supply pipes. In order to prevent interruptions in the water supply, the house owner has to think about how and how to insulate the well for the winter. You can protect the structure from freezing using available materials: dry leaves, sawdust, peat, straw or hay. It is more effective to use modern mineral wool insulation for these purposes, used in construction for thermal insulation of structures. The problem can be solved once and for all by installing a caisson - a sealed metal or plastic well, closed for the winter with a lid insulated with foam plastic. In any case, work on insulating the casing and pipes supplying water to the house must be carried out in advance.

What material and how best to insulate?

The choice of heat-insulating materials is made taking into account the climatic conditions of the area. The depth of groundwater at the location of the well also plays a role. In regions with a mild climate, where the thermometer rarely drops below minus 5-15 degrees, you can get by with inexpensive natural materials: sawdust, straw, high-moor peat, dry leaves. A box is made around the wellbore and the selected material is poured into it. Protect the heat insulator from moisture so as not to reduce its thermal insulation properties.

High-moor peat, used to insulate a wellbore, is poured into a self-made box of barrels or wide-diameter pipes

Industrially produced insulation materials are recommended for use in regions with a more severe climate and high groundwater levels, which together lead to significant freezing of the soil. Materials are selected taking into account technical characteristics and cost per square meter. You can choose polystyrene, basalt wool, foam insulation, glass wool, polystyrene foam. These insulation materials are also used in preparation for winter operation of wells equipped with electric pumps.

From the school physics course we know that air has the worst thermal conductivity. Therefore, it is recommended to leave an air gap of 5 cm thick between the casing pipe and the thermal insulation layer. This air gap will additionally protect the well from freezing. By the way, modern insulation materials use this property of air. Foam materials include tiny air bubbles, which increase their thermal insulation qualities. The thickness of the insulating layer should be at least 30-35 cm.

A well, actively used in the summer for watering the garden and supplying water to a private house, in winter needs to be insulated with improvised materials

Work on insulating a water well is usually carried out in the following order:

• sheathe the riser with a fine-mesh metal mesh, retreating from its walls at a distance of 5 cm;
• then put a metal casing on the structure, leaving between it and the mesh the necessary space for placing the insulation;
• they backfill with sawdust or other material selected for insulating the well (the backfill material is not compacted);
• install a tin tray under the valve that extends beyond the metal casing, maintaining a slight slope to prevent moisture from entering the insulation.

To be on the safe side, you can insulate it using an additional heating system. A small heater is installed in the well, as well as a floating freeze sensor. When a thin ice crust forms on the surface of the water in the well, the sensor is triggered and the heater is turned on, which helps melt the ice. With this arrangement of the well, it is possible to protect it from freezing, reducing energy costs.

Insulation of the water supply to the house - pipe in pipe

The volume of excavation work when laying a route from a well to a house can be reduced using horizontal directional drilling, as well as soil puncture technology. The water pipe is placed in a “case”, the role of which is played by a pipe of larger diameter. The pipe, together with the cable feeding the pump, is placed in heat-insulating cylinders made by insulation manufacturers from mineral wool or polystyrene foam. If necessary, the damaged pipe can be easily pulled out of the “case” and replaced. To facilitate the process of removing the pipe from the protective casing, you can use a cable.

The laying of an insulated pipeline from the well to the house is carried out according to the “pipe in pipe” principle. This helps protect the supply pipe from freezing

Emergency option - resuscitation with boiling water

If extreme frosts or power outages cause the well to freeze, you can try to revive it with boiling water. To melt an ice plug in a well, you need to take a metal tube with a diameter of 10 mm. Then put a rubber hose on this tube and connect a funnel to it. The tube is lowered into the well until it stops at the ice plug. Then they begin to pour boiling water into the funnel. Under the influence of hot water, the ice will gradually begin to melt, and the tube will smoothly go down. In a few minutes it will be possible to clear the well of any ice that has formed.

If the well is in order, but water does not flow into the house due to frozen pipes coming from the pump, then a decision is made to replace them. If the walls of the water pipe have not cracked under the influence of frozen water, then you can try inserting a heating wire directly into the pipe using a special device. In this case, a cable is selected that can be used in water supply systems.

Installation of an insulated box

In regions with a mild climate and minor frosts, it is not necessary to install a caisson. The well head along with all the equipment is placed in an insulated box, which is opened if necessary. The protective structure can be built from wooden building materials or made of brick. The inside walls are covered with heat-insulating material. In addition to insulation, such a structure can also perform a decorative function if original design ideas are introduced into its design.

Insulation of a well in regions with a warm climate is carried out by building a small house in which equipment and pipework are hidden

Plastic caisson as the best way to insulate

If you locate the entire pipe distribution below the freezing level of the soil, then you will not have to worry about their insulation. At this depth, even in the most severe frosts, the water in the well will not freeze, since its temperature will always be above zero. To implement this task, it is necessary to dig a pit around the wellbore to a depth of 2-2.5 meters and install a caisson. For absolute reliability, the walls of the caisson and its hatch cover are insulated with mineral wool material or foam plastic.

Insulation of a well using a plastic caisson installed in a dug pit around the casing to a depth of 2.5 meters

At extremely low temperatures in a caisson well, it is recommended to install an additional cover with insulation directly above the well to eliminate the possibility of water freezing in the pipes. Installation of this element is carried out in advance, since it is undesirable to open the hatch in severe frosts.

Insulate or repair: which is more profitable?

When deciding on the need to insulate a well, remember the proverb about a sleigh that needs to be prepared in the summer. Therefore, do not delay the start of constructing a well until late autumn, when the ground is already frozen by severe frosts. Carry out the work yourself in the warm season, spending a minimum amount of money. Remember that equipment that fails due to freezing water can be much more expensive than purchasing insulation or a caisson. If you cannot cope with the work yourself, invite specialists who, upon inspection, will tell you how to best insulate the well.