How to warm the sewer pipe - insulation of sewer pipes

To date, local sewage in the house or cottage is not considered a luxury. The owners have the right to choose a septic tank at its discretion. To get drains into it lay the pipeline outside. Uninterrupted operation of the system can be ensured by insulating the sewer pipe. Getting started, it is important to familiarize yourself with the advice of specialists, who give a general idea of ​​how to insulate the sewer pipe correctly.

The article does not refer to sewer pipes laid in heated premises or below the level of soil freezing. We will tell about those cases when we cannot do without insulation. In the apartment, pipe insulation helps to improve noise insulation.

Consequences of freezing pipes

Defrosting of sewer pipes

Freezing pipes occurs quite often. Especially the problem is familiar to residents of houses with local sewage.

• Freezing in the pipes, water stops the operation of the entire system. The drains cannot move into the septic tank, since there is a cork of ice on their way.
• Frozen water can cause serious damage to the pipe. In the process of freezing, it expands and destroys the pipe, which subsequently leads to repair, which is difficult to perform in the winter, especially when there is a large layer of frozen soil over the pipe.

Why this is needed

Ice in the pipe

Some sources It is believed that the insulation of the sewer pipe in the house is not necessary, since the drains, moving along the pipe, have room temperature. In addition, the fluid is constantly moving in the pipes, draining into the septic tank. But freezing happens and eliminate the damage will not be easy. In some cases, repairs are laid up to heat, and the house remains without sewage.

It’s not comfortable in such a toilet room

A visit to the restroom on the street has some advantages:

1. It takes much less time to go to the toilet.
2. Big savings in water in the winter, because you don't need to flush the toilet, but you will have to wash in a bowl or in a public bath.

However, this prospect of “saving” will not please anyone, therefore, in order to minimize the risk of such situations, it is better to deal with the insulation of the system in advance.

Methods of insulation of the system

The three most popular methods of insulation of the sewerage system:

1. With insulation.
2. Laying the heating cable.
3. The pipe is placed at a depth that is below the level of soil freezing.

Types of materials

Different insulation materials can be used to insulate outdoor sewers.

Mineral wool

Thermal insulation of sewage with mineral wool

Material refers to the classic version. But in the process of its use is not profitable for economic reasons. When using mineral wool, an additional layer of waterproofing is needed, since the material is hygroscopic and loses its main function when wetted.

Polyurethane foam and

Polyurethane shell for pipe insulation

Foam shells for pipe insulation

The material should be used for outdoor insulation, as it does not tolerate moisture testing. It is produced in the form of cut along the cylinder, with a notch for pipes. The fastening of the cylinder occurs due to locks located at the edges. The material is extremely comfortable to work with, perfectly retains heat and is inexpensive.

Polyethylene foam

Polyurethane foam insulation

Easy to use material, which is produced in the form of pipes. If necessary, it is put on the desired area, pre-cutting the material. Place the cut stick together with adhesive tape.

Works with a pipe in the ground

There are also several ways to insulate pipes in the ground.

Penoizol

Insulation with Penoisol

This insulation is produced as a liquid which when solidified forms a dense shell that prevents the pipe from freezing.

Among the shortcomings of the material: in the process, you must use special equipment. Therefore, its use for warming in a private house will be expensive.

Use of heating cable

Heating cable plus thermal insulation

Modern pipe insulation method is a heating cable, which is laid on top of the pipe or inside it. In the course of work, stacking should be carried out in a protective channel.

By choosing this method, you can lay the pipe to a depth of less than half a meter.

The disadvantage of the method is the dependence of the system on electricity. When you turn off the electric heating, it stops working.

It should be noted that there is a normal type of cable and self-regulating.

1. The first type will be cheaper, but energy consumption will be uneconomical.
2. The second version of the cable heats only the area of ​​the pipe with a low temperature.

It is better to buy a more expensive version of the heating cable, which will pay off later by saving energy.

Wrapping with heat-insulating material

The most popular method for insulating a sewage pipe in the ground is its location at a depth below the soil freezing level, where the temperature remains positive and does not allow the pipe to freeze. This method does not require special insulation.

1. At the preparatory stage, trenches are being dug, their width reaching 60 cm. At the same time, a pipe diameter of 110 mm. The depth of the trench should slightly exceed the planned (about 10 cm). It is important to stick to a slope of 1%.
2. Excess depth by 10 cm is necessary for laying a cushion of sand, which is poured on the bottom and rammed.
3. In the next step, lay out the pipes and the necessary elements connecting the system.
4. Connect all parts.
5. You can put a heater on the pipe and fix it with a special tape so that the material does not hang out.
6. The system needs to be covered with sand and tamped down the sides of the trench. There is no need to seal the sand above the pipe to avoid damage to the pipe.
7. At the final stage, the trench is covered with earth. At the same time, you need to make a small hill over it, since the earth will drain and the surface will even out.

Among the shortcomings of this method, it is necessary to single out the lack of possibility of repairing blockages or other pipe failures. It will be necessary to break the system, which will be very problematic in the winter.

External work

Insulation of sewage pipes on the street

The most suitable option for insulation sewer pipe on the street in the region with strong frosts is a combined method. If the winters do not have a low temperature, you can give preference to insulation insulation material without the use of heating cable.

1. When laying the pipe, it is important to observe the slope. The smaller it is, the more reliable the material should be for insulation.
2. A foam shell is useful for work, with which the insulation of an already assembled system is insulated.
3. In conclusion, the shell should be fixed with aluminum tape.
4. The sections where the pipe is connected to the surface are insulated with a heating cable (preferably self-regulating).

Warming of the sewer pipe is not an obligatory, but desirable measure, during which you will need a bit of money and patience. As a result, the owners will be protected from unexpected surprises in the midst of frost.

Video

In this video you will be introduced to the features of competent insulation of sewer pipes: