How to insulate a well for the winter

There are various ways to insulate against heat; the best approach will depend on how frequently the well operates.

Seasonal use. This mode of operation is typical for a summer house, when the well does not function during the cold season. There is no need to insulate a well at a summer house, since proper conservation of the well for the winter eliminates the possibility of freezing of water.Conservation involves draining water from the pipeline system. To completely drain the water, turn off the water supply pump and open the tap. It’s a good idea to make sure there is no water in your home’s faucets and storage tanks.
Occasional use. Provides for the operation of a well for a certain period. For example, a country house is used only on weekends. Or, conversely, they only don’t use it on weekends. In this case, passive insulation will not help, because.To. insulation only slows down the cooling rate of water. Cable heating of pipes may be a way out of the situation. This option will be described below.
Constant use. Daily use of water ensures its movement, which means it eliminates the possibility of water freezing in the pipe. But there is a catch here too. After all, at night the water supply system is idle, and in severe frosts (if the pipes are laid above the ground freezing level), there is a high probability that the water in them will freeze. In addition, water supply equipment (pumps, pumping stations) is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

Note: Just for home use, drilling wells in the winter still requires continuous water pumping through pipes.

How to insulate a well?

The selection of thermal insulation material for well insulation is influenced by the local climate, which establishes the degree of soil freezing. All of the materials can be divided into two groups according to the temperature.

1. Insulation for mild climates (up to -15 °C)

In theory, insulation is not necessary for the water supply system to function during the winter because of the shallow freezing depth; however, thermal insulation helps shield the system from freezing-related system failure.

Natural insulation materials, like sawdust, straw, dried leaves, high-moor peat, and expanded clay, can be easily insulated.

Natural insulation has the benefits of being inexpensive and simple to install. Excavation of the earth surrounding the well and the installation of a box to hold the chosen material are included in the entire procedure. The drawback is that, aside from expanded clay, these insulation materials rot in the ground and require moisture protection.

Note: Some users point out that heat is released and the well is in a comfortable temperature range because natural insulation materials rot.

2. Insulation for cold climates (above -15 °C)

Artificial thermal insulation materials have been shown to be effective in harsh climate regions in practice. Penoizol, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, and polystyrene foam are all well-proven.

Cotton wool has a limited application because it needs to be waterproofed well. If not, the mineral wool will become wet and lose its ability to retain heat.

Note: We are able to respond negatively to the question of whether to remove the pump from the well for the winter because we have dependable, properly installed insulation.

Criteria for choosing thermal insulation material

availability;
ease of installation. Doing the work yourself should be simple and not require the use of complex equipment;
hygroscopicity;
strength, in t.h. resistance to deformations caused by soil overwhelming;
cheapness.

It was now time to begin putting the project to use to warm into action after deciding how frequently to use the well, determining the amount of insulation needed, and selecting the appropriate insulation.

Think about the primary insulation techniques. We concentrate on the fact that it only concerns the portion of the well that is located in the freezing zone for a specific area.

A group of well -insulation methods

Both passive (insulated caisson) and active (warming cable) thermal insulation are possible.

Square of a well with a caisson

The caisson’s construction and insulation is regarded as a traditional technique for the well’s thermal insulation. Cesson can be bought as a fully constructed building or constructed on its own.

The tightness of the purchased caisson is unquestionably an advantage. Made at home will be less expensive.

How to make/install a caisson for a well

dig a pit. The lowest point of the pit should be located below the freezing level. Therefore, the depth of the pit often reaches 2.5-3 m. To determine the exact required depth, you need to find out the freezing depth and add half a meter to be sure. The width of the pit should exceed the dimensions of the future caisson by 0.5 m.;
arrange a sand-crushed stone cushion at the bottom of the pit (height 0.1 m);
cut a hole for the supply and distribution pipes (for a purchased caisson), install the caisson;

Suggestions. The pipe’s bottom can have a second hole drilled through which condensate will be drained.

lay a brick caisson or lay a concrete circle (concrete rings), the quantity will vary depending on the depth of the pit;
install the necessary equipment in the caisson;

insulate the caisson from the outside (insulation layer – 50 mm). Please note that a self-built caisson can be insulated from the inside if reliable waterproofing of the structure is ensured;

close the caisson with an insulated lid. It is advisable to make a ventilation pipe in the lid;

backfill the pit. For additional insulation, you can mix earth with expanded clay.

You can safely store all of the equipment for the winter in such a caisson.

Insulation of a well without a caisson

There is no need to build a caisson in areas where the temperature drops below freezing; instead, ground-level insulation can be achieved by building an insulated box. One requirement is that the box have an insulated lid.

Insulation of casing pipe

Thanks to this insulation, building a caisson is not necessary.

How to cover a well with insulation

dig out the casing to the calculated depth. A sufficient trench width (0.7-0.8 m) will simplify further work.);

insulate the pipe with heat-insulating material. PPU shell is ideal for well insulation. This material is hygroscopic, durable, rot-resistant, thanks to a wide range of diameters it provides reliable sealing, and is also easy to install. If insulation is carried out with mineral wool, it is advisable to protect it by wrapping it in film or placing another pipe of larger diameter on the insulated casing pipe;

fill the trench;

install a clay castle near the head, which will prevent water from flowing along the pipe.

Insulating a well with a heating cable

One of the best and most active forms of insulation is heating cable. It is the most costly item on the list, though.

The technology used to install heating cables includes:

a trench is dug (depth – below the freezing point);

installation of heating cable around the casing pipe. For a low-power cable, a small pitch of turns is selected, a powerful cable is laid in a straight line;

the pipe is additionally insulated with heat-insulating casings;

if necessary, waterproofing of insulation is carried out;

the soil removed from the trench is backfilled.

One benefit of having an electric heating system is that you can use it whenever you want, without having to worry about the well freezing during the winter. For instance, adding a sensor will control the system’s operating time and downtime. Additionally, you can defrost the system using this method after winter or freezing. Installing a sensor will cost extra, of course, but the savings on electricity will make the investment worthwhile.

To keep your water supply consistent and avoid damage, make sure your well is adequately insulated for the winter. You can save your well from expensive repairs and freezing temperatures by taking the proper precautions.

Using an insulated blanket or well cover, insulate the wellhead first. This will help keep the cold out and retain heat. To provide an additional layer of security around exposed pipes, you can also use heat tape or foam insulation.

Throughout the winter, don’t forget to periodically inspect the insulation. If you find any problems, take care of them right away to prevent more difficulties. All winter long, you can keep your well operating smoothly with a little bit of planning and upkeep.

By taking these safety measures, you can protect your water supply and have peace of mind throughout the winter. When you need water most, a well-insulated well means less worries and a more dependable source.

The first step in winterizing a well’s insulation is to cover it with a lid that is both sturdy and insulated to keep out cold air. Next, use insulating materials such as thermal blankets or foam pipe insulation to cover the well casing. Make sure to use straps or weatherproof tape to fasten the insulation. Consider erecting a little, insulated structure or an insulating cover around the wellhead for additional protection. Adequate insulation guards against expensive freezing-related damage and helps guarantee a steady supply of water.