Do-it-yourself insulation of a sewer pipe in the ground

As a rule, all engineering communications are laid outside the country cottage in the ground. Therefore, in severe frosts they can simply freeze. To prevent this phenomenon, the pipes must be insulated. Otherwise, a private house will not provide an acceptable level of comfort and convenience for its inhabitants. You can solve this seemingly difficult problem yourself.

Do-it-yourself insulation of sewer pipes

Bury pipes deep into the ground

The most reliable way of insulation is to deepen them into the ground.
The deeper the pipe is, the less likely it is to freeze. After all, at a certain depth the temperature does not change even in winter. How to determine the optimal depth for laying pipes? It is impossible to give universal advice for every locality. In each climate zone, the soil freezes to a different thickness. In some areas it is enough to bury it a meter deep. In others, the ground can freeze up to two meters. Having consulted the climate atlas of your area and determined the depth of freezing, you will be able to carry out excavation work correctly. True, builders advise adding extra space and going a little deeper.

Burying pipes deep into the ground is a good option. However, in practice, this effective and low-cost method of insulation is not always used. Why? Excavation works cause complications even in cases where pipes must be buried a meter deep. If you need to dig deeper, you want to come up with another way to insulate a sewer pipe. In addition, the sites are often located in areas where excavation work is either impossible or very expensive.

By digging deep, you will create another problem. Let's say there is a problem with the system. You're not even sure if there's a leak, but you need to check the pipe. And to do this, you will have to turn over mountains of soil again, inspect, look for damage and bury them back. What if you need to replace one or more sections?

Good or bad

The high price of a heat-insulating material does not always indicate its excellent properties. There are unscrupulous manufacturers, and among sellers there are those who like to “inflate” the price. Before choosing and buying insulation, you need to thoroughly study its characteristics and think carefully about everything. It is very good if you can get a sample and conduct some experiments:

1. Bring a small piece of thermal insulation material to a bright lamp. Translucent - bad. If sewer pipe insulation allows light to pass through, heat will also pass through it. Such a check is not necessary for materials with additional coating (foil and the like).
2. If we are talking about foam material, you need to look at the cut. The air cells should be small, ideally approximately the same. Large air chambers will not retain heat well.
3. Set the sample on fire. High-quality insulation does not burn. Some materials for heat insulators are initially flammable, which can be eliminated with the help of special additives.
4. Try to pull and tear a fragment of the heat insulator. If this happened very easily, the strength is in doubt. Such material can simply be accidentally damaged during the installation process.

This due diligence will help you make your final choice.

Table: Comparison of insulation for sewerage of different brands

Do you want to buy pipe insulation? Call now! +7 (495) 150-05-73

Insulation for sewer pipes

Since we are talking about insulating the external sewer system in a private house, let’s consider how to insulate pipes with your own hands

The most important thing in the process of insulating external sewerage is the choice of material that will determine the installation features and provide a given level of reduction in heat loss

It should be noted that sewer insulation, as a separate type, is a non-existent material. Those. There is no single solution, and in each case it is necessary to select insulation based on the individual characteristics of the pipeline.

Thermal insulation of sewer pipes is carried out by any of the thermal insulation materials on the market.

There are only two determining factors when choosing insulation:

climate zone. The lower the winter temperature, the lower the thermal conductivity index the insulation should have;

pipe laying method. The choice of pipe insulation depends on the depth to which the pipes are laid (below or above the freezing level). The technology for insulating external sewers using thermal insulation comes down to two methods: the pipe is wrapped with insulation in several layers or a box is built around it.

Which insulation for sewer pipes is better to choose?

A good building thermal insulator must meet a number of requirements:

1. low thermal conductivity coefficient;
2. ease of installation;
3. resistance to various factors: moisture, biological activity, ultraviolet radiation, mechanical or chemical influences;
4. tightness of insulation;
5. resource of use;
6. price.

Insulation with mineral wool

According to the standards, the material belongs to the fibrous class and is made using molten rocks and metal slag. There are three main types of mineral wool:

• Glass wool - a mineral thermal insulation material that is obtained from the same materials from which glass is produced. It has received great demand due to its affordable cost and low thermal conductivity - 0.030...0.052 W/m*K. Cotton wool also exhibits good resistance to vibration loads and chemical resistance. Density in a loose state is no more than 130 kg/m3. Glass wool differs in its properties from other varieties. It has a fiber thickness of 3-15 microns, and a length 2-4 times greater than that of stone (basalt) wool. The insulation is resistant to temperatures up to 450 °C. The disadvantages include the fragility of the material and its increased fragility. Also, when working with this material, it is necessary to reliably protect your hands, since upon contact, small sharp needles easily penetrate through the gloves and cause an unpleasant burning and itching. Inhalation of air in which glass wool particles are floating is considered more dangerous. They immediately cause long-term irritation of the lungs and are eliminated very slowly. The same applies to the organs of vision;

• Slag wool – produced from slag waste obtained during iron smelting. It has high friability and residual acidity. In this regard, when used in conditions of high humidity, oxides form on its surface, which negatively affect the surface of plastic or metal pipes. The thickness of its fibers is 4-12 microns. The thermal conductivity index is significantly higher than that of glass wool - 0.46...0.48 W/m*K, as is the water absorption coefficient. In addition, slag wool has low environmental properties. The insulation retains its properties when heated to a temperature of no more than 300° C, but is unstable under temperature changes. Because of this, the service life is significantly reduced;
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• Stone or basalt wool – made primarily from molten gabbro-basalt rocks. It is a non-flammable material that can withstand record high temperatures without starting the melting process - up to 870°C. However, when exposed to temperatures reaching 600-700°C, it begins to disintegrate and turn into dust. The structure of the material is porous, due to which it has high thermal and sound insulation. The thermal conductivity coefficient is quite low - 0.035...0.039 W/m*K. This is achieved due to the fact that the air in the pores of the material is in a static state. The vapor permeability indicator is 0.25...0.35 mg/m kV.*h*Pa. Stone wool density indicators range from 30 to 200 kg/m3. and depend on the form of release. For example, stone wool slabs can withstand a load of 700 kg/m2.

Glass wool and stone wool can be produced with an additional protective layer of foil, fiberglass or kraft paper. Stone wool does not absorb water, but constant exposure to moisture can gradually damage the structure of the insulation.

Methods for insulating sewer systems

Let's look at several ways to insulate sewer systems that will save you money and won't take much effort during installation.

There are also several other easy ways to insulate sewer pipes.

Method one

The easiest way, it seemed, was to bury the pipes below the freezing level of the soil. But, taking into account that depending on the continental location, each city and suburb has its own level of soil freezing.

Burying pipes below freezing ground is one of the simplest ways. Click to enlarge.

And you will be lucky if it is no more than a meter on your site.

Then there are many more factors why this method of protecting sewer pipes may not be available.

The main factors include the structural features of the soil, proximity to groundwater, the presence of harmful substances and insects that destroy the structure of the pipes. Therefore, such insulation of sewer pipes may not be possible.

It is also worth taking into account repairs in case of a pipe break. It is not necessary that the water supply can freeze; there are a lot of influences, the results of which lead to malfunctions on any section of the laid pipe

It is not necessary that the water supply can freeze; there are a lot of influences, the results of which lead to malfunctions on any section of the laid pipe.

And in order to repair the damaged area, you will have to dig up the pipe again, and it will be good if it is noticeable where the breakdown occurred, and if not, then dig it out completely, and in this case you will have to change it.

So, although this method will cost you little, it is not practical.

Second way

The second method involves insulating sewer pipes by laying an electrical cable. This method is quite reliable, and applies not only to external insulation, but also in houses with a poor heating system.

And the main thing is complete dependence on power supply.

That is, if your electricity is turned off for some reason, you will not receive heating of the pipes.

The second drawback is the hefty bills for electricity consumption. And if something burns out there, or a pipe bursts, it can lead to a short circuit, or, even worse, a fire.

Third way

How to insulate a sewer system in a way that is not resource-intensive and safe, a method is proposed that involves the use of appropriate insulation materials.

Before purchasing such materials, you should pay attention to important properties:

1. Durability
2. Moisture protection
3. Ease of installation
4. Flammability
5. Material cost

It is also worth considering the characteristics of the insulating material and the possibility of reuse.

Installation

It is more convenient to carry out work with ready-made forms of insulation for the 110th sewer pipe. This is the so-called shell. It may consist of more than two parts. The edges are formed rectangular, with an overlapping projection or with a groove and tongue. There is also a sample with a cavity for a heating cable.

Here you need to select the desired internal diameter of the product, which has a longitudinal cut. That is, insulation of external sewer pipes is carried out by putting on a heat-insulating jacket. Next, it is enough to tighten it with tape, clamps or staples, glue it or cover it with additional moisture insulation.

Molded insulation is made from the following materials:

• Styrofoam;
• expanded polystyrene;
• polyurethane foam;
• foamed polyethylene;
• foam rubber.

Foamed rubber shell Source ad-cd.net
The sewage system is wrapped with rolled mineral wool without forming overlaps, but with the edges tightly adjacent to each other. This approach is relevant for large-scale projects due to the relatively low cost of the material. In the private sector, it is more convenient to work with metallized casings.

Ways to fight

You can avoid emergency situations and prevent sewer pipes from freezing in the ground by using the following tips:

The laying of the sewerage pipeline must be carried out to a certain depth. It is recommended to place it below the freezing level. The fact is that temperatures at this level do not fall below 1-2°C. This indicator is optimal and allows work to be carried out without the use of insulating materials. If the work is carried out by non-professionals, then this rule is not observed. Pipes are laid above the freezing level, which can create an unusual situation during severe frosts and lead to a breakthrough. This method of deepening is needed when sewer insulation is carried out in a private house, and the owners do not live here permanently. Special materials designed for thermal insulation should be used. The pipes are carefully covered with material that has high thermal insulation properties. It slows down the cooling process and heat loss. Pipe heating is also used using an electric cable specially designed for this purpose. If it is necessary to insulate a device that is subject to freezing, then the pipes are sloped. It is at least 2 cm for every meter. In this case, an electric cable is laid outside the pipe, performing the functions of a heater. In its absence, the pipes freeze, and the frozen water in them forms ice jams.

As a result, the sewer system fails. It is important to properly insulate ventilation pipes. They are located outside, and are brought to the roof surface from the sewer riser

Some of them come from underground and serve to ventilate a septic tank or sewer tanks. When wastewater evaporates, it settles on the inner sides of the pipes. Over time, they freeze and fill the entire system. Residents begin to smell the stench due to a broken ventilation system. The situation can be corrected by pouring a bucket of water into the frozen riser. Only after this should it be insulated. If an electric cable is used for insulation, it must be packaged in corrugation. A plastic container will also work. This will ensure the longevity of the ventilation system.

Electrical cable

This is not exactly the kind of cable that we are used to seeing for outdoor work. This is a metal wire without insulation and with increased resistance.

When an electric current passes through it, it converts it into heat energy. So, when laying such a cable underground, along with drainage pipes, it helps to warm them up in winter.

Active heating using heating elements has its own characteristics and positive aspects:

Heating cable device diagram

• protection of open sewage system;
• heating of communications in boxes, tunnels, channels;
• thermal insulation of collectors installed in the ground.

There are two types of heating elements used when laying communications to heat them:

• resistive - regardless of the time of year or external conditions, it constantly warms up. When using this element, the heating system must be constantly monitored;
• self-regulating – does not require constant monitoring, as it is able to independently assess external conditions and adapt to them.

Scheme of sewer insulation with heating cable

Heating cable design option

This method has a significant disadvantage - dependence on the availability of electricity and good voltage in the network; in the event of an accident - which often happens - there is the possibility of defrosting all communication systems during cold weather. Insulation of drainage systems using electrical cables requires the following preparatory measures:

1. Select areas for thermal insulation.
2. Calculate the amount of material - in this case cable.
3. Decide which heating method will be preferable for you, self-regulating or resistive.

Calculation table for pipe insulation

Installation of insulation for sewer lines in the ground

The insulation is installed when all the pipes have already been laid and connected to the sewerage system itself.

In this case, all pipes run at a slope of 1 centimeter per linear meter.

When installing insulation, you should pay special attention to ensure that there are no bare areas left, otherwise this whole procedure will be useless. The beginning and end of the pipe and joints are also carefully processed

In such places, you can put several layers of insulation to be sure.

The beginning and end of the pipe and joints are also carefully processed. In such places, you can put several layers of insulation to be sure.

Otherwise, installation of insulation is very simple and takes little time.

Installation features

Having chosen the desired insulation, immediately read the instructions for it, since each of them has its own characteristics.

If you are additionally doing waterproofing, you should immediately calculate how much material you will need.

More careful insulation and waterproofing should be done on pipe bends; any of the above materials will be suitable for this. Thanks to their convenient cylindrical shape and plasticity, they can repeat any bend without breaking.

You can additionally insulate sewer pipes using a pipe heating cable. It maintains the temperature of the pipe well, preventing it from freezing.

The cable can be an independent insulation, but most often it is wrapped on top with another layer of any insulation.

You can see an approximate diagram of insulation with a heating cable in the figure below.

Insulation with heating cable

This cable provides an almost 100% guarantee that the pipe will not freeze in any conditions.

Installation rules

Insulation with the selected material is carried out before filling the pipe with earth, and all pipe edges and seals must be sealed with sealant so that moisture from the pipes does not spoil the material.

If you choose foam shells for insulation, then you just need to put them on the pipe and additionally secure it with aluminum self-adhesive tape.

If it is mineral wool or basalt fiber, then they must be laid with the foil side out, as shown in the photo below.

Installation of glass wool with waterproofing

In this case, all joints must be glued with construction tape very carefully so that there is no access to moisture.

Also, pipes are insulated only in dry weather; dirt and other debris must be removed from them so that nothing prevents the insulation from tightly joining the pipe.

Popular insulation materials

There are many modern thermal insulation materials. Below is an overview of the most popular ones.

Polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam

Foam plastic, expanded polystyrene, penoplex - names of the same material - expanded polystyrene. It can be extruded (extruded) or expanded.

Expanded is a well-known granular and very light foam plastic that is included in the packaging of any large household appliance. It has low density and strength, absorbs water to some extent and is not suitable for underground use. It could be used in the basement, but shells are not made from polystyrene foam, and it is not always convenient to pack round pipes with sheets of rigid and fragile material.

Extruded (extruded) polystyrene foam has a finely porous structure with a diameter of air bubbles of 0.1-0.2 mm. Its density is 25-50 and even 75 kg/m³. The strength of the material is high, which makes it possible to use such polystyrene foam even as insulation under floor screed, in the construction of roads and runways. For household use, shells and sheets of different thicknesses are produced.

The main advantage of expanded polystyrene is its low thermal conductivity (0.038 W/(m*C) for polystyrene foam and 0.029-0.034 W/(m*C) for penoplex). In addition, the extruded material has very low water absorption and high compressive strength. Therefore, its use for insulation of underground communications is more than justified. In addition, it tolerates freezing well - it will easily endure 50 freeze-thaw cycles (read - 50 years).

The main disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its low ultraviolet resistance. Therefore, when laying above the ground, it is protected from sunlight.

To insulate sewer pipes, special shells of appropriate diameters are used (see below). Sheet material can be used only in rare cases - if the sewer pipe is laid in a box made of concrete or brick. You can fill the box with EPS crumbs.

The domestic name for extruded polystyrene foam is penoplex.

Molded penoplex

To insulate sewerage pipelines, foam shells of various diameters from 32 to 160 mm (the outer diameter of the pipe and the inner diameter of the shell) are produced. The thickness of the insulation layer is up to 100 mm. Penoplex products are usually produced without outer shells that serve as protection from the sun. In addition to the mentioned advantages of penoplex, it is necessary to note the speed and ease of installation of thermal insulation.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a foamed plastic based on polyurethanes. All kinds of shells are produced from solid polyurethane foam for insulating pipelines, often in a shell made of galvanized steel, fiberglass, polyethylene, fiberglass. Polyurethane foam is resistant to moisture, has sufficient strength for laying underground, is durable, and is not resistant to ultraviolet radiation. Good thermal insulator. For the price, this is quite a budget option. Products made from polyurethane foam are also produced for very large pipe diameters - more than 1 m. In industrial conditions, polyurethane foam is simply sprayed onto insulated surfaces using special installations.

Basalt fiber

An artificial fabric is obtained from natural basalt - it is melted and passed through dies; the frozen threads are used for soft thermal insulation boards and knitting and stitching material, round shells.

The material has many advantages, but there is only one drawback - moisture gets into fiber products and freezes along with them. Therefore, basalt fiber is not used for use in soil - firstly, it is impossible to completely waterproof a sewer pipe with insulation; secondly, the material is soft, over time it will wrinkle, the pipe will sag, form deflections and kinks, and even collapse.

It can be used in the underground, for exhaust hoods and vent risers (if it can be thoroughly waterproofed from the premises), just be sure to wrap it with fiberglass, roofing felt, even penofol and secure it with wire or construction tape.

Glass wool and basalt wool

There are three types of mineral wool: glass, stone, slag (from melted blast furnace slag). The phrase “basalt wool” is not used entirely correctly - cotton wool is not made from basalt fiber. The properties and use of mineral wool for thermal insulation of a sewer system are similar to the use of basalt fiber.

Foamed polyethylene

Conventional sheet “bubble” polyethylene. Sold on every corner and very inexpensive. Sealed air bubbles create good thermal insulation. Foil penofol (folgoizol) is also produced, but it makes sense to use it not in the ground, but in the underground. Polyethylene foam sheets are very easy to work with. Disadvantages: small thickness and low strength. Wrapping a pipe in one layer of sheet plastic insulation is quite easy, but wrapping several layers is undesirable - after a few years, under heavy load in the ground, the polyethylene bubbles will burst and the sewer pipe will begin to sag. But it works great underground, you can add several layers. Secure penofol with tape. Pipes made of foamed polyethylene are also produced.

Foamed synthetic rubber

Foamed synthetic rubber for insulation is produced in sheets (including with an adhesive layer) and in the form of pipes. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is 6-32 mm. Thermal conductivity at 0 °C – 0.038 W/(m*C). Foamed rubber is very flexible, durable closed pores with air provide resistance to moisture absorption.

They are mainly used in cases where the thermal insulation material requires flexibility and greater strength than foamed polyethylene. The application is limited by the small thickness of the products and the higher price than PE and polystyrene.

Expanded clay

Expanded clay is obtained by firing clay. This is a lightweight porous material with good thermal insulation and good moisture absorption. Wet expanded clay practically loses its thermal insulation properties. Therefore, the use of expanded clay for insulation of underground communications is undesirable - it is impossible to waterproof a trench or box where a sewerage system is laid.

Which material is better

There is no clear answer. Fibrous materials and expanded clay should not be used in wet soil, but is there really not wet soil? Especially after a rainy autumn. Therefore, you should choose for ease of installation, reliability and accessibility. The best option is shells made of polyurethane foam and polyethylene foam. It is also worth mentioning heat-insulating paint - a highly advertised and completely useless material in the case of underground pipes. However, it is of little use in all other cases.

How to protect sewer pipes from freezing

• engineering;
• using insulation;
• active.

Engineering method

The engineering method is the simplest solution to the question of how to insulate sewer pipes on the street. It consists of the following - pipes are simply laid below the freezing level of the soil. As practice shows, for this they sometimes have to be laid to a depth of 2 m or more. For each region, depending on the climate, the laying depth will be different. This method is implemented as follows:

1. A trench is dug to a given depth under the drain pipeline with a slope of 1 cm per meter of its length. The depth can be found in a special table for each region.
2. At the bottom of the dug trench, make a sand cushion or a cushion of fine gravel (grain size no more than 20 mm), at least 10 cm thick.
3. The pipes are being laid.
4. Cover them with a layer of sand or fine gravel. The layer must be located above the pipe at a height of at least 20 cm and be thoroughly compacted.
5. Fill the trench with previously removed soil.

Scheme of laying a sewer pipe below the freezing level

Thermal insulation method

What insulation to use is indicated above. The choice of material depends on many factors, among which, first of all, cost and thermal insulation properties should be highlighted.

So, let's look at how to properly insulate a sewer pipe. Installation of an external drainage system using thermal insulation material must be performed in the following sequence:

1. The place where the trench will pass is marked.
2. A trench is dug, and its width must be at least 60 cm, and its depth must correspond to the design data with a margin of 5–10 cm. The trench is constructed with a mandatory slope (1 cm per 1 linear meter) to ensure gravity flow.
3. Sand or gravel at least 10 cm thick is poured into the bottom of the trench and compacted.
4. The pipeline is assembled on the surface next to the trench.
5. The seal and the edge of the pipe must be lubricated with sealant.
6. The insulation is put on the pipe and fixed (usually with tape) so that it does not move.
7. The pipe is lowered into the trench, covered with a layer of sand or gravel, and then compacted.
8. Next, the trench is finally filled with soil, making sure that it does not contain stones, broken glass or hard soil.

Internal sewerage, as a rule, is not insulated. Only the riser exit to the roof of the house is subject to thermal insulation, since with a sharp temperature change it can simply burst. The material for insulating the riser can also be either mineral wool or foam polystyrene.

Thermal insulating shell for external sewerage pipes

Active method

The most expensive method of thermal insulation is the so-called active insulation. It consists of laying electric heating cables along the pipes. These cables, when heated, transfer heat to the pipeline and prevent it from freezing. The heating system is regulated by a temperature sensor with automatic equipment connected to it. As soon as the temperature around the external sewer system approaches zero, the sensor is triggered and the cable heats the pipeline. When the ground temperature rises, the system automatically turns off.

When using active insulation in practice, you will also need to install an insulation system, because the heating cable will heat the ground, not the pipes. This method is quite expensive both during implementation and operation, and not everyone can afford it.

How to insulate a drain pipe facing the street? The simplest and cheapest method is a foam shell, which will insulate it well. In everyday life, glass wool is more often used, which is simply wrapped around the drain pipe and tied with tape.

Scheme of heating a sewer pipe with a heating cable

Insulated external sewer pipes will last longer if one of the thermal insulation methods described above is implemented. In addition, when laying the system, it is recommended to use smooth pipes made of polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene with an orange surface.

Is it necessary to insulate the sewer system and problems when pipes freeze?

When draining sewer and gray water from a private house at sub-zero ambient temperatures, they can freeze, and this will cause the following unpleasant consequences:

• Frozen water will prevent drainage from the house, thereby creating significant difficulties for living in the private sector in the winter.
• Also, when defrosting, water expands, which causes damage to pipelines and clogging of the ground with sewage, worsening the environmental situation.
• Ice plugs that prevent the outflow of contaminated water will cause it to stagnate in the drainage system - as a result, unpleasant odors will appear in the home, interfering with comfortable living.

Rice. 2 Map of soil freezing level - example

Insulation of hood for sewerage background riser

Separately, it should be noted the need to insulate the external sewer system, which means a ventilated background riser (exhaust) - a sewer pipe led to the roof (or to the surface of the ground from a septic tank) and providing ventilation for the pipeline.

The background riser is designed to suck in air so that the pressure in the system is equalized when the toilet is flushed. And in the septic tank, gases are formed from the activity of bacteria, which are also removed through the background pipe.

The ventilation (background) pipe can freeze (condensation freezes and an ice plug forms) and needs to be insulated. Any material that is reliably protected from moisture and destruction by ultraviolet radiation is suitable for thermal insulation. For example, you can put a Stenoflex “stocking” on the pipe. The part of the pipe that is located above the roof is insulated. And you cannot put a cap on top of the pipe; it must be free, otherwise it will freeze in this place.

How to insulate a background riser with your own hands

On the forum, one user suggested an interesting way to get rid of the build-up (freezing) of condensation in a background pipe.

You need to take copper wire (necessarily from pure copper, without braiding, this is important), wind it into a voluminous, but at the same time “liquid” lump (so that air can easily pass through it). Place this lump of wire into the pipe from above, and bend the ends of the wire so that you can secure the wire at the top of the pipe (otherwise it will fall inside)

Place this lump of wire into the pipe from above, and bend the ends of the wire so that you can secure the wire at the top of the pipe (otherwise it will fall inside).

The point lies in the chemical properties of copper; it has very high thermal conductivity. Warm air rises through the pipe, the copper accumulates heat and melts the freezing condensate.

Conclusion

Insulation of sewerage in a private house is an important measure that will maintain the normal flow of sewer pipes in winter, prevent freezing of the pipeline and extend its service life

Insulation of pipes on the street

To thermally insulate sewer pipes for the street, it is necessary to choose the right material that ideally suits this purpose, and will also be environmentally friendly and inexpensive.

Mineral wool contains phenol, which is harmful to health, and for this reason its use is not recommended. At the same time, polystyrene does not have this disadvantage and is excellent for sewer insulation. Experts do not advise buying cheap materials, which often quickly become unusable and cease to serve their purpose.

Tools required for installation:

• knife;
• shovel;
• scotch;
• sand;
• waterproofing (for some types of insulation).

The insulation is installed very simply, especially if it is represented by a shell. First, parts of the shell are placed on the pipe and secured with tape or other fastening material. What is important is that thermal insulation can also be used if there are irregularities on the pipes - the tightness does not suffer from this.

Laying the pipeline below the frost depth

When laying a sewage system on your own, you can try to lay the parts to a depth that will be 10 centimeters below the soil freezing level. With this arrangement, additional thermal insulation of sewer pipes will not be required. Naturally, this is considered an ideal option, but it is used extremely rarely.

Causes:

• The presence of a large amount of work that will have to be carried out when preparing a trench for laying, as well as for digging a hole for a septic tank. If special equipment is not involved, then it is extremely difficult to make such a volume with your own hands.
• In the middle zone, the depth of soil freezing is one and a half meters. It turns out that the pipes will have to be laid to a depth of 1.6 m. In addition, the pipeline must be laid with a slope, so the septic tank must be laid at a depth of two and a half or three meters. The use of such a drainage system is irrational.
• When sewer pipes are too deep, it will be impossible to repair the drain, especially in winter.

It turns out that the choice of the option of deepening below the soil freezing level can be selected only in the case when it is possible to attract special equipment for the work.

Is it necessary to insulate

Freezing of sewer pipes in winter is not so rare. This is especially true for external communications laid on the territory of country houses above the freezing point of the soil. House owners laying sewer lines often do not take into account the depth of soil freezing. The popular opinion among some craftsmen that the pipe is warmed by wastewater is justified only in regions with a mild climate and warm winters.

The depth of soil freezing in different regions of the country is not the same.

At prolonged low temperatures, an uninsulated pipe freezes. Remains of flowing water, especially at bends and turns of the highway, crystallize and form sagging. Gradually, the walls of the pipes become covered with a thin crust of ice, which thickens over time.

Consequences of freezing sewer lines:

• the formation of an ice plug that completely blocks the movement of wastewater;
• When the liquid freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipe to rupture at the point where the plug forms.

As a result, the permeability of the pipeline is disrupted, and wastewater does not flow into the septic tank. Repairing a sewer system in winter is labor-intensive and expensive.

The only correct and economically feasible solution is to insulate sewer pipes.

It is important! Particular attention must be paid to the thermal insulation of the segments located at the exit from the house.