Warming the well for the winter with your own hands 3 methods of protection against freezing

Insulation of a country well from concrete rings

Thermally insulating the uppermost ring of the well, in fact, is not so problematic. The technique of this procedure is quite clear and primitive. If you explain briefly and briefly, then the upper ring of concrete must be pasted over with polystyrene foam familiar to everyone.

Consider in detail the progress of work to be performed

1. The wall ring needs to be dug up twenty centimeters - to the depth of ground freezing. And in total you have to go deep by about 1.2 meters. Since doing this is not very comfortable, you will have to dig a rather large pit. If you count the rings from above, then it’s enough to get by with a depth of 20 cm below the junction of the first 2 rings.
2. We take layers of foamed polymer and cut it into strips 20 cm wide. High-density material is more suitable, and the best option would be to purchase extruded or ordinary foam.
3. We clean the wall rings from dust and dirt, moisten them with water, glue parts of the prepared foamed polymer with special glue.
4. When the surface of the ring is fully pasted over, the gaps between the individual strips of the foamed polymer are filled with mounting foam. Its remains are cut off after complete drying, the soil around the well is poured, the well itself is put in order.

So that the foam for installation work does not burn out in the sun, and the foamed polymer does not deteriorate, the structure is reinforced with a mesh, then covered with a plaster layer. This option is very effective, but it does not help in all cases for sure: the cold is able to penetrate through the top.

Thanks to this, it will be better, without delay, to move on to the next method of warming with your own hands.

Making a warm shutter

What is a warm lock?

It must be stated that this is a specialized cork with small holes made in it. One of them serves for ventilation and prevents damage to water. The second is for the intake alluvial hose. This option will be optimal for a summer cottage, which is supplied with well water using a pump.

How to make a lid like this?

1. It is necessary to make two similar rings from moisture-resistant plywood, corresponding in their own dimensions to the inner diameter of the well concrete ring.
2. One of the rings is pasted over with 5 cm polystyrene foam. All residues are carefully cut off: the foam circle must exactly repeat the shape of the plywood.
3. The second plywood circle is glued on top of the foamed polymer.
4. Final stage. We drill two 6-centimeter holes (for ventilation and for a hose), make a handle to which we attach a thick rope or chain, so that in the spring you can easily remove this plug.

There is nothing difficult in all these events, but there is also no special beauty here either.

It should be noted that the considered methods of thermal insulation with foamed polystyrene are suitable only if the water supply is carried out using a pump.

If water is taken from the well with a bucket and a collar, then it is unlikely that the cork will help. In this case, there is another, 3rd method of warming the well with your own hands.

Insulation of water wells

This is an excellent option for every occasion. There is an optimal way to insulate a well, which solves several problems at the same time: the view of the site outside the city will not be able to suffer at all, and the insulation will be done really well. This primitive and good method is the construction of a special closed well house.

Closed well house

This design solves the following problems:

• Prevents clogging of water with leaves and other small debris.A thoughtful and hermetic house with a tight lid will not allow anything unnecessary to get into the source.
• The well will not freeze in winter. In the only case, such a house will not save from freezing if the water level in the well is higher than the ground freezing level. If this is the case, then it will still be necessary to implement additional insulation of the upper wall ring with polystyrene foam.

If self-insulation of the well seems too difficult for you, you can make it easier for yourself. At a minimum, most of the work you will not need to do yourself. Styrofoam half rings, a warm shutter, and sealed good houses themselves can be purchased at household goods stores.

You only need to install such products, and this, of course, is several times easier. Well, factory-made products, in most cases, will look much very beautiful than home-made ones. Especially it concerns a house for a well. All the same, only do-it-yourself interior items will give the site an original and original look.

When is insulation required?

If the well was built according to ancient traditions (read: from wood), then, of course, it does not need any thermal insulation. There are exceptions - for example, the well cover needs to be insulated. In this case, it is necessary to make an additional cover made of wood and fix it inside the structure itself. This cover will protect the country well from:

1. snow ingress;
2. temperature fluctuations;
3. dry leaves and other debris.

Note that almost all modern wells are built using reinforced concrete rings. These wells offer numerous benefits, including:

1. strength;
2. reliability;
3. durability;
4. ease of installation and further maintenance.

Despite this, they have one significant drawback: they need to be insulated for the winter.

On a note! If the water in the structure is located below the freezing level of the soil, then the structure itself will not freeze. But if it is higher, then the installation of insulating material is required!

There are three thermal insulation technologies at once:

1. insulation of the structure cover;
2. thermal insulation of the upper ring;
3. construction of a decorative house.

Let's get acquainted with each of the possible methods in more detail.

Method two. Thermally insulate the top ring of the structure

Each specialist will tell you that in order to prevent freezing of the well, it is necessary to reduce the thermal conductivity of its upper ring. This method of thermal insulation is performed in two ways:

1. through foam;
2. through polyurethane foam.

Let's look at the first method first.

We use polystyrene foam for the ring "under a fur coat"

Here you should prepare the following consumables for work:

1. mounting foam;
2. paint;
3. plaster;
4. insulation blocks made of expanded polystyrene, which are connected according to the "thorn-groove" system.

On a note! According to this technology, the first ring from above will be completely isolated, while the second one is only partially. Now to work!

Step one. Work should begin with preparatory activities. Dig a pit 20 centimeters wide and approximately 0.5 meters deep around the ring. Then carefully clean the surfaces of dirt and install the first ball of the “fur coat”. At this time, make sure that the density of all connections is maximum! Blow out the joints with mounting foam in order to seal them. Having finished with the first level, start assembling the second and gluing it to the ring. The cracks that have formed between the layers are still blown with foam.

Step two. Next, start plastering the surface of the rings. This will protect the foam from the negative effects of the sun's rays, which, as we know, degrade the thermal insulation properties of this material.After the plaster has completely dried, apply paint on it - this will prevent the finish from soaking.

Step three. It remains only to fill the pit and carefully compact the earth.

Penoplex, we insulate the foundation reliably and correctly

We advise you to read our article on self-insulation of the foundation. Find out more here

We use polyurethane foam for the ring "under a fur coat"

If you chose polyurethane foam as a heater, then follow these steps. First, dig a similar pit (as in the previous method of warming the well for the winter), and then build a wooden frame around the first ring. But this is in general terms, we will analyze the procedure in more detail. Prepare the following materials for work:

1. paint;
2. dowels;
3. polyurethane foam sprayer;
4. collapsible metal formwork;
5. plaster;
6. a piece of plastic film;
7. wooden bars.

Step one. Traditionally, start by digging a pit, but narrower (maximum 10 centimeters). After that, around the first ring, install the bars in increments of about 40 centimeters. Surround the edges of the trench with formwork made of thin sheet steel, which will exactly follow all the contours. Cover the formwork with prepared foil. For what? This is explained by the fact that the adhesion of the foam is very significant, and therefore the dismantling of the formwork is impossible.

Step two. Having finished with the construction of the formwork, you will notice that a void has formed between it and the ring - then it needs to be filled with insulation. At the end of the pouring, the polyurethane foam will increase in volume, and the trench will therefore be filled as tightly as possible.

After that, you need to wait until the material is completely dry. As soon as this happens, dismantle the formwork. Plaster the finished surface and apply a layer of paint on it. Fill the void left after the formwork with earth and carefully tamp.

On a note! It is also desirable to cover the well with a lid, which was described in one of the previous paragraphs of the article.

Construction of a decorative house

The advantages of the house are that it not only insulates the well, but protects the source from dirt and decorates the site as an element of landscape design. Types of well houses:

• a roof mounted on the shaft rings;
• a log cabin, similar to a gazebo;
• large 2-pitched roof covering concrete rings;
• with a canopy;
• with winch.

Materials for its construction:

1. Brick, building blocks or concrete. With their help, the structure can be given any shape. It is durable and inexpensive, but needs lining.
2. Metal. This option is chosen by lovers of high-tech style. The metal frame is sheathed with sheet iron.
3. Natural stone. It is easier to lay flagstone, as it is flatter. The house from it looks natural.
4. Tree. Due to its high performance and aesthetic appearance, it is chosen most often.

Too thick walls will make the structure bulky, and thin, lightweight structures will not withstand wind and other loads.

The house should not stand on the ground, but on a concrete platform. Therefore, work begins with it, given the following:

• the site must be reinforced;
• concrete layer - at least 15 cm;
• it is necessary to make a slope for the flow of water;
• if a project with a canopy and a winch is selected, the racks for them are installed before the site is poured.

The stages of building a house depend on the materials chosen, but installation always begins with the construction of a frame. After that, the space between the walls of the house and the well is insulated, for example, with expanded clay. The structure is decorated with carvings, painting parts in different colors, artificial aging of wooden surfaces, and the installation of figures made of wood or plaster.

Prevent well freezing

So that with the onset of winter, the well structure does not freeze, thermal insulation should be taken care of even during its construction.If the suburban area will be visited occasionally (for example, exclusively on weekends), then, in principle, it is not necessary to insulate the well. In such cases, it is only necessary to clean it and treat it with some kind of disinfectant (such as chloramine) before leaving.

After that, completely pump out the water and close the structure with a lid. Lay a polyethylene film over the lid and cover it all with leaves. Now you can go to the city with a clear conscience, because with the onset of heat, the well will again provide clean water.

But if the well is operated regularly, then the measures should be more serious. For example, pipes to the house must be located below the freezing line of the soil, the structure itself must be protected by the house described above, or by other available means.

Method three. Construction of a wooden house

If your site is located in an area where the temperature is not too low in winter, you can build a protective wooden frame over the mine. To do this, prepare:

1. wire;
2. nails;
3. waterproof film;
4. logs;
5. plywood sheets;
6. expanded polystyrene.

Step one. First of all, paste over the top ring from the inside with a pre-prepared film. Next, take the foam and cut six rectangles out of it. Make the dimensions of the latter such that as a result of the lining of the ring an even hexagon is formed. Such a little trick will significantly increase the density of sticking foam.

Step two. Then you need to fix the foam. To do this, wrap it with ordinary wire in at least three rings. It is advisable to use aluminum wire for this, as it does not rust and is quite soft. As a result, it will be easy to manipulate it, and there will be no corrosion on the surface of the insulating layer.

Step three. After that, build a log house from logs of small sizes. The height of the log house must be flush with the well itself, and its shape must be hexagonal. Lay a cover consisting of several layers on top of the finished house (as described in the first method of insulation). Then you can paint the design so that it is not only functional, but also aesthetic.

Video - Installation of the house

For a more detailed acquaintance with the technology, we recommend watching the thematic video.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=zFxBdPaUM

Why freezing wells are dangerous

It is a mistake to assume that well insulation is only necessary if it is used all year round. Many summer residents and seasonal residents of country houses sincerely do not understand why insulate a well, which no one uses in winter anyway. Meanwhile, such seasonal wells also need effective thermal insulation!

Otherwise, a variety of problems may arise that make the operation of the well difficult or even impossible:

• the formation of an ice plug in the plumbing system;
• the displacement of the rings resulting from the expansion of frozen water in the enclosing soils;
• failure of the ice plug and damage to pumping equipment;
• divergence of joints of reinforced concrete rings when water gets between the seams.

Wells that are not protected from low temperatures are much more likely to require repair work. And in terms of financial costs, repair measures are often more significant than one-time insulation work.

If a water supply system based on a well is installed on a suburban area, then in addition to the mine itself, it is required to insulate pipes to protect the supply line of the system from low temperatures.

Method one. Cover insulation

This technology is not complicated and consists in mounting an additional cover inside the structure itself at the soil level. We remind you that water from a well can be obtained in two ways - in the old fashioned way, that is, with the help of buckets, and by means of an electric pump. This article deals exclusively with the modern method.

You should start by preparing everything you need. Get ready for work:

1. plywood sheet;
2. glue;
3. wire;
4. a plastic pipe, which is necessary for ventilation;
5. insulation, the thickness of which will be at least 5 centimeters (polystyrene is ideal for this);
6. mounting foam.

After that, proceed directly to the construction process.

Step one. Take a plywood sheet and cut out a pair of even circles of a diameter similar to the diameter of the structure itself. In each of the circles, make two holes - one for the hose and the other for ventilation.

On a note! Ventilation in this case is mandatory, because without it, the water will soon begin to smell unpleasant, and its taste will noticeably deteriorate.

The diameter of the drilled holes is insignificant - no more than 6 centimeters, otherwise frosty air can penetrate through the cracks formed. Holes are more convenient to drill at one end. Next, along the perimeter of the second circle, make 4 more holes for the wire.

Step two. We continue to warm the well for the winter. Cut out a third circle of the same diameter, but this time from Styrofoam. Glue it on the bottom circle using quality wood glue, and fix the third circle on top. Once the glue has dried, place the ventilation pipe in the prepared hole. You can use polyurethane foam as a joint seal.

Step three. The work is almost finished, it remains only to make a special ring out of wire. To do this, take it and wrap the first ring, thereby fixing its circumference. After that, attach the wire to the ring, fixed in the four holes of the lower ring. Pass the hose through the desired hole, and then lower the finished "sandwich" to the ground line. The lid will be held with wire, the well will be properly ventilated, but the water will not freeze.

Well cover and wooden house

To ensure the best protection of the well from freezing, in addition to the insulation of the well shaft, it is also necessary to carry out work on external insulation. They consist in arranging and insulating the cover of the well and / or erecting a wooden house above the well.

The cover for the well must be installed taking into account the maximum water level. The movement of the lid is provided with a cable or rope. The best material for making a lid is wood. Also an excellent option would be a three-layer cover of two layers of thick plywood with insulation between them.

As a heater, it is advisable to use expanded polystyrene or polystyrene.

If you decide to use a reinforced concrete well cover, then it must also be insulated by attaching a layer of foam or other insulation. Fastening is carried out using glue for outdoor work and dowel-nails for concrete.

Installing a house over a well is a more expensive way, however, it has its advantages:

• reliable shelter of the well shaft from debris, precipitation;
• the ability to use the well in any weather (rain, strong wind);
• aesthetic appearance, a wooden house is perceived as an element of landscape design.

You can make such a wooden house yourself or buy a ready-made version. In any case, it is worth knowing that the house is not simply installed on the surface of the earth. He needs a foundation, which is done as follows: the area around the well is leveled and a blind area is made, on which a layer of fine gravel is poured or tiles are laid.

After that, a wooden house is mounted, and the space between it and the reinforced concrete ring is filled with insulation. In this case, expanded clay, an inexpensive bulk material, can be used as a heater.

Why is it necessary to carry out insulation

By insulating the well, it will be possible to maintain a satisfactory temperature inside it, allowing water to remain in liquid form even at high frosts, without forming ice on the surface.

The appearance of an ice layer makes it difficult not only to collect liquid, but can also lead to cracks in concrete circles, or damage wires or pipes that are located in the well.

Circles prematurely begin to collapse and age. As a result, their service life is significantly reduced. If pipes freeze or cables are damaged, repairs will be necessary, which will not be cheap and will require labor-intensive processes.