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How to defrost plumbing: advice of professionals. How to defrost a plastic tube: We cancel hiking to the hole in a strong frost how to quickly defrost plastic pipes with water

Winter frosts are a test that has to withstand not only living beings, but also engineering communications.

When violating the rules of laying pipelines in the winter time, they often occur their movement and then the problem will be in full growth, how to defrost the tap pipe?

Causes of water freezing in pipes

As a rule, the cause of the movement of water in the pipes is the elementary violation of the installation technology of the water supply. For example, if the pipes were laid without taking into account the depth of the primer of the soil in this area.

Or was ignored by the requirement to warm the pipes. It happens that the pipes will move not only in external networks, but also in the room, if there is no heating.

How to avoid moving pipes?

In order for the defrosting of water pipes, the following requirements should be taken to ensure that when installing the pipeline, the following requirements were completed:

  • When underground pipeline laying, ditch to depth, which exceeds the level of soil freezing in the area.
  • Do not lay the pipeline of the water supply near reinforced concrete structures. The fact is that the thermal conductivity coefficient of concrete exceeds the similar indicator for the soil, that is, when laying pipes in the immediate vicinity of elements from reinforced concrete, the probability of freezing water in the pipes increases.
  • It is advisable to mount pipelines complete with a heating cable.
    This, of course, will lead to the rise in price of the installation, but it will forever allow to get rid of the problem of moving.
  • In places in which the pipeline passes through the wall of the building, the insulation of glass gamble should be used to avoid direct contact of the pipe with the wall.
  • In the pipes of small diameter, the water moves more often, therefore for the water supply, it is desirable to use pipes with a diameter of 50 mm.
  • When laying pipelines in unheated rooms and on the streets it is best to use pipes from polyethylene. Such pipes are well tolerance and defrost, in contrast to polypropylene, which may be unusable if they move one or twice.
  • If the water supply or sewer is assumed to be used only periodically (for example, in the country), then at idle time, it is desirable to fully release the system from the water to stroke there was nothing.

Methods defrosting metal pipes

There are several ways. They will be described below.

But when choosing any of them, follow the following general rules:

  • When the pipes are heated, it is necessary to keep the water tap open to the outflow of water can go out.
  • It is forbidden to produce a sharp heating of the frozen section of the pipe, starting with its middle.
  • Heping is conducted from a water tap towards the riser. But if it requires to warm the pipes of the sewage, then you need to move in the opposite direction, that is, from the riser to the point of the watercraft.
  • It should be searched for heating pipes after the location of the frozen plot is evaluated. This will help you choose the method of defrosting.

All methods can be divided into two large groups, it is:

  • Methods based on outdoor exposure to the pipe.
  • Methods with an internal method of defrosting.

Consider how to defrost water pipes using outdoor exposure.

This requires the use of some heating device, it can be:

  • Blowtorch;
  • Construction hairdryer;
  • Electric heating device.

When using a soldering lamp in the room, fire safety measures should be taken.

In particular, it is necessary to install a metal screen for the pipe to protect the walls.

Using any of the listed fixtures, should be methodically affected on the pipe. The success of the measures taken will be evidenced by water, which will appear from the consumable crane.

We should not forget that when freezing the water is expanding in volume, therefore the likelihood is that after moving steel pipes will be damaged.

After the water is an impetus, it should be carefully inspecting the pipeline for the identification of leaks.

The safest and very effective way of defrosting the pipes by the method of external exposure is the use of heating electrical tape or heating cable.

In this case, it is necessary to simply wind the ribbon on the frozen plot and turn it on.

For defrosting steel pipes, this method can be used: the welding machine is taken, and it connects to different ends of the frozen area.

As a result, the pipe is heated. When using the welding machine, it takes 2-4 hours to the entire process depending on the length of the frozen area.

How to defrost a pipe from plastic?

Recently, steel pipes for the water supply device are still applied less often, they were replaced by plastic pipes. Such pipes are not subject to corrosion and are not destroyed in case of freezing of water in them.

However, if you have an ice traffic jam in them, almost all external impact methods cannot be applied to them. Naturally, the use of open fire for heating plastic will result in the destruction of the pipe, and the use of a constructional hair dryer is often ineffective, since the plastic does not conduct a heat.

Connect to such pipes the welding machine is also completely useless, since the pipes do not conduct an electric current.

Mechanical method of impact, that is, the elimination of the ice tube using the introduction inside the steel rod can be effective with a small freezing area, however, its use creates a serious risk of damaging the pipe.

Thus, if necessary, the defrost of pipes from plastic remains the only way - the use of hot water poured inside.

Below will be several ways to defrost pipes from plastic. All of them are quite effective, however, it is advisable only on small-diameter pipelines.

The first way of defrosting is to organize hot water to the freezing site.

This is done like this:

  • For defrosting plastic pipes, a pipe or high rigidity hose of smaller diameter should be prepared.

To remove the ice plug in a pipe with a diameter of 20-30 mm, use a pipe or hose with a diameter of 16 mm.

  • If the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe pipeline is straight, it is more convenient to use the metal-plastic pipe. In the event that the frozen pipeline has turns, the use of the hose is required.

Conventional watering hoses to perform this operation are not suitable. The fact is that they strongly soften under the action of hot water, so push them further will be problematic.

For defrosting, gas or oxygen hoses should be used.

  • Metal-plastic pipes are sold, as a rule, rolled into the bay. Therefore, the pipe should first be dispersed, and then start promoting through the pipeline, pushing an ice plug before the stop.
  • Now you can pour hot water into the pipe, trying to maintain the highest temperature.
  • The exhausted water will flow at the site of joining pipes, so there should be a tank for collecting.
  • As ice melts, the plastic tube will need to push further, until the problem is completely eliminated.

This method of defrosting is good if the ice cork was formed on a plot located near the entrance to the pipe. If the pipe frozen far from home and on the pipeline section there are turns and bends, then the pipe is pouring inside the pipeline.

  • To carry out the work, it will take a hydroelectric system, the bay of steel wire, the diameter of which is 2-4 mm, and the Esmark mug, that is, the device, which in medicine is used to conduct cleaning enema.
  • We take a pipe with a hydraulic line and wind it with a wire or attach the wire to the tube with a tape or tape. It is necessary to make it so that the wire does not stick to different directions, while the tip of the tube must perform one centimeter.
  • Now the second end of the hydraulic tube is connected to the withdrawal nozzle of the circle of the Esmark and begin to push our construction into the pipe.
  • Since the hydrophurone tube is characterized by a small diameter and weight when pushing it does not arise difficulties, even if there are turns on the way.
  • Pushed the phone should be pushed until the tube is stolen into the tube from ice.
  • Now in the circle of Esmar, we pour hot water and open the feed valve.
  • As the ice cork decreases, the phone should be pushed further.
  • To collect the flowing water at the junction of the pipes, you should install a suitable container.

This method of defrosting is quite effective, but takes time. In one hour of work, you can have time to free the ice from about 0.8-1.0 m of the pipe.

So, there are several fairly effective ways to help solve the problem, how to defrost plumbing pipes. However, they are all time-consuming, so it is more correct to take the necessary measures, for example, when and preventing the movement of water in the pipeline.

Since recently, pipelines from all kinds of polymeric materials are increasingly used for external and internal highways, the question of defrosting plastic pipes is very relevant. This problem is a consequence of insufficient preventive measures to prevent their freezing, which is found quite often.

In this article, we will consider several effective ways, how to defrost plastic pipes of water supply and sewage.

Causes of frost

Before you familiarize yourself with all the options, how to defrost a plastic water pipe or sewage system, it should be sorted out for which reasons they freeze, since the likelihood is that the situation will repeat.

So there are several reasons:

  • The imposition of the external pipeline at the ground freezing level - the depth of the soil freezing is calculated using special zoning maps, however, in any case, it must be at least 600 mm. However, it is better to pave a pipeline a little deeper, especially for regions, where in the winter the temperature goes to extreme indicators. Also solve this problem can be solved by laying the heating cable and system insulation.

  • Wrong Calculation of thermal insulation or its absence may also cause the freezing of internal and external pipelines. You can liquidate the problem in the same way as in the previous case.
  • Incorrectly performed pipeline diameter - this reason usually concerns external systems. In pursuit of savings, some homeowners use pipes with a diameter corresponding to a calculated minimum sufficient for water supply of the building. However, water for small consumption is stuffed, as a result of which he has time to frozen.

Therefore, experts recommend using water pipes with a diameter of at least 40-50 mm for external systems, since the increased diameter reduces the risk of freezing and the severity of its consequences. To prevent freezing, the warming cable should be laid, perform the insulation of the pipeline or replace it with a larger diameter pipes.

In the photo - thermal insulation of pipes

  • Insufficient thermal insulation of the pipe or its complete absence in the field of pipeline passage through the outer wall (foundation). Eliminate a similar problem can be only a gasket of the heat insulating material. At the same time, most likely, it will be necessary to expand the hole in the foundation.
  • Fit tube to walls made of artificial stone, for example, on the ground floor or in the basement. In this case, it is necessary to simply pave the heat insulating material between the pipeline and the wall that caused the freezing.

Tip! Theoretically, the heating or hot water pipeline can be paved at a lesser depth than cold water. However, in practice, it is not necessary to count on the fact that the pipe itself will warm, since the temporary cessation of water supply can lead to its freezing.

Accord options

Selecting the method How to defrost a plastic sewer tube or water supply depends on what type of accident occurred:

  • Pipe frozen in the outer underground pipeline;
  • Freezing occurred in the outer open pipeline;
  • There was freezing in the internal pipeline;
  • Frozen pipe, located in a hard-to-reach place, for example, mounted in the wall.

In any of these cases, freezing may be accompanied by cracks in pipes or fittings.

Note! Polyethylene pipes are most resistant to freezing, they are followed by metal-plastic layers, which also contain polyethylene. But polypropylene and polychlorvinyl pipes do not tolerate frost and can burst after the first freezing.

Solution

Elimination of cracks

Before decaying the pipe, it should be examined for cracks. It is possible that the defrost of plastic pipes will not need. If the pipeline has cracks, then the spoiled area must be simply cut, and for this it is not necessary to pull the ice.

The cracking pipe is replaced by a new one that is joined with a pipeline with.

Note! When performing defrost, regardless of the method, the crane closest from the ice cork should be opened. If the removal of the plug will be performed by a mechanical manner, the crane should be removed at all, but after the elimination of the plug, you need to quickly overlap the pipe.

Outdoor defrost

If the inner pipes have frozen, for example, in the basement, to defrost them with their own hands by heating by some kind of heat source, for example, electrical heater, hairdryer or electric power.

It must be said that some craftsmen use open sources of heat for these purposes, such as gas burners and soldering lamps. However, it should be borne in mind that this method is unsafe, since insecucuraration you can just burn the pipeline.

Unfortunately, to apply a special apparatus for defrosting metal pipes will not work, as it can only work with current materials. Naturally, polymers do not belong to those.

Internal heated

If a plug arose on a closed section of the pipeline, for example, located in the ground or mounted into the wall, the outer heating is not suitable, since the price of such an event will be too high, not to mention the labor costs.

Therefore, the most accessible option is to melt the cork with hot water, which is poured into the system, from the inside of the building. However, water will simply do not pass through the pipeline to the ice tube site, since it most often contains air and water jacks. In short areas, a smaller diameter metal-plastic pipe or an oxygen-resistant hose, which is inserted into the pipeline can be in short areas.

But how to defrost the metal-plastic pipe underground or another type of pipeline, which has many bends? There is a solution and for this case - it is necessary to use the circle of Esmark, which in the people is called a bucket withdrawal, as well as the hose, on the similarity of those that are used in building water levels and steel wire with a cross section of 2-3 mm, suitable length.

The instructions for performing this work looks like this:

  • First of all, you need to open access to the frozen area, it will take to remove the crane for this.
  • Next, the ends of the tube and wire must be made up so that they are parallel to the system. The tube at the same time should act a little forward, about 10 mm.
  • Then a pair of "tube-wire" should be promoted to an ice cork. When it becomes impossible to push the wire with the tube further, it is necessary to pour boiling water through the enema. At the same time, under the open end of the pipe, it is necessary to substitute the container into which water will return.

Keep in mind that this process is not fast and can last for several hours, especially if the frozen area has a significant length. Therefore, before decaying the plumbing plastic pipe underground, it is necessary to stockpenter with sufficient amount of water.

It must be said that there is another way of defrosting plastic pipes - this is the use of a self-made heater made of a two-core cable. However, we will not consider this method, because even with the best coincidence, this process will take much longer than the defrosting of hot water.

Tip! To this operation does not damage the inner layer of the system, which is rather gentle, the end of the wire is desirable to round.

Here, perhaps, all the most effective ways of defrosting pipes. By eliminating this trouble, it is necessary to take care that it does not repeat the next season.

Output

The defrost of the frozen sewer or water pipe can be quite complex and troublesome task. Therefore, it is much easier to prevent this problem at the installation phase of the pipeline. However, if a similar situation still happened, you need to act according to the scheme described above.

From the video in this article you can get more information on this topic.

In winter, a common problem is moving pipes and heating pipes. This may occur if the required standards have not been met when laying the pipeline and technological standards are violated. Regardless of the root cause of the occurrence of the problem, the question arises: how to defrost the plumbing pipe?

Consider some reasons for the occurrence of ice traffic jams in the water supply:

  • the water supply is laid at insufficient depth;
  • incorrectly performed works on pipe heat insulation;
  • the diameter of the pipes is chosen incorrectly;
  • worn pipes.

How to prevent the freezing of the water supply

  • locking pipes of the water supply must take into account the depth of the soil freezing in this area and dig a trench below this level;
  • place the pipeline follows from concrete and reinforced concrete structures, as they are susceptible to freezing is stronger than soil;
  • in places of pipe entrance to the building, good thermal insulation should be done, most often, mineral and glass gamble is used;
  • better if the outer pipe diameter is more than 50 mm - the more water in the pipe, the longer it will freeze;
  • the pipeline laying can be made with an electrical cable that will heat the pipes at dangerous low temperatures.

If you failed to prevent freezing, it should be proceeded to defrosting the water supply.

This can be done in several ways, all of them can be divided into two categories:

  1. Impact outside.
  2. Heated from inside.

Regardless of the choice of a method for defrosting pipes, you must follow several rules:

  • it is necessary to determine as accurately precisely as possible area of \u200b\u200bthe pipe and its length;
  • all shut-off valves should be opened so that the water has been outlined;
  • it is necessary to start to warm the pipe and further to the riser;
  • sewer pipes, on the contrary, heated from the riser in the direction of the septica.

Methods for defrosting the water supply through the exposure outside

In such cases, prolonged heating of the surface of the pipe and further heat exchange between the pipe itself and ice inside is carried out.

Boiling water or just hot water. The frozen section of the pipe is winding with a foam rubber or a rag, absorbing water, and is poured by boiling water, constantly maintaining the high temperature of the vehicle or foam rubber, and, accordingly, the pipes. This method is used in open areas of the pipeline: in basements, at the entrance to the building, etc. Well suitable for metal pipes, as the metal is an excellent thermal conductory.

Construction hairdryer. The pipe is heated under the influence of hot air. Throw the pipe from all sides. In order not to lose heat, there can be something like a pavilion around the pipe, for example, from a plastic film. When the plastic pipe is heating in this way, it is important to carefully monitor the heating process so that the pipeline is not melted. If the pipe freezing area is small, a regular fan heater or household hairdryer is suitable. If the pipe has bends, narrowings, entrances to fittings - they also need to warm them.

Soldering lamp or gas burner. This method requires special attention due to the high risk of fire.

Electric heating cable or electric heating tape. The safest and no less effective way to defrost pipes. The cable must be climbed onto the pipe on the spiral and connect to the power source. This method is suitable only for open pipes.

Unit for defrosting or welding transformer. Two wires plus and minus connect to different ends of the moving section of the metal pipe, the electric current heats the water and the ice plug melts. The time spent on the heating of metal water pipes with a welding transformer is minimal.

Methods for defrosting the water supply through the impact from the inside

All methods described above are good for metal pipes, but little is suitable for plastic. Therefore, there are methods "from within." The most important thing is to find the nearest detachable connection to disconnect the frozen area from the remaining highway.

Two-housing copper wire. The principle of operation is similar to a boiler. Wire veins are separated and shaped. Then each need to twist in a small spiral (from 3 to 5 turns), it is better to make one living just in short, so that the spirals do not come into contact, and there was no short circuit. Next, the wire must be started in the pipe and turn on the plug into the outlet. Electric current passing through water, it will warm it well.

Hot water. The laborious process requiring patience, but with minimal cost. The hose must be thinner than the pipe. It is inserted into the disconnected pipe until it stops into the ice tube and is filled with hot water. As ice melts, the hose is moving forward. Be sure to need a container for taking water. In rectilinear areas of the pipeline, it is better to use a pipe from metal plastic, with bends, a flexible hose is more suitable: gas or oxygen.

"Mug of Esmark" - in popular enema.In addition to it, rigid wire and hydraulic hose. The wire is attached to the tube (scotch tape, tape, as you like), the Esmark mug is connected to the hydraulic tube on one side, and the other is pushed into a tap pipe to the ice tube. Next, the circle is raised higher and poured hot water into it. As ice is thawing, the hydroeer hose must be promoted further until completely defrosting. This method is suitable for underground pipes.

Special equipment for preventive flushing of water and sewer pipes. There are communal services, you can call specialists to the house.

All methods of defrosting pipes have their advantages and disadvantages and take a lot of time. To avoid possible problems with the water supply, it is better to adhere to all technological standards for laying pipes.

Video

In this video, it is shown how defrosting the pipes burner:

See how you can unwind a water pipe:

Why do pipes freeze? Causes may be very different: pipes are laid at insufficient depth, it is ineffectively insulated, too small volumes of water are transported, the pipes are operated at extremely low temperatures. It must be borne in mind that if sparkling pipePassed in the available places, does not cause special difficulties (for example, it is possible to warm up using an ordinary household hair dryer), how to defrost outdoor when underground gasket? "Successful" if the pipe frozen at the entrance place - in this case, you can simply warm the walls. And if the freezing point is a few meters from the structure? Is there a solution to the problem or need to wait for heat? There is a solution to the problem!

If the pipes are metallic, then the defrost process is quite simple. To do this, take an ordinary welding machine and connect it to different ends of the pipe. Such a simple electrical method eliminates the problem within two or four hours. The frozen section of the pipe is longer, the longer the defrost lasts.

But what to do if frozen Plastic trumpet? Currently, networks are used primarily made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), which withstand pressure up to 10 atm. They are not subject to corrosion processes and are not destroyed when freezing. In terms of its properties, polyethylene is not a conductor of an electric current, so defrosting with the help of the welding machine is impossible. Removing the ice tube using a steel rod is also fraught, you can damage the pipe. Thus, the output one is to use hot water for defrosting.

The proposed three ways of defrosting of polyethylene pipes are "know how" folk craftsmen. However, despite its some eccentricity - they work. The only disadvantage is that they are only suitable for pipelines of small diameters.

Method 1.

It should be borne in mind that the ice tube in the pipe will not allow hot water to get inside if it is easy to fill it. So you need to find a method for feeding hot water into a frozen zone. To do this, you can use a hose or a pipe with a smaller diameter. For example, if you need to defrost a water pipe with a diameter of 25 or 30 mm, and the frozen stretch is straight, then the most effective will be the use of a metal-plastic pipe with a diameter of 16 mm. First, we straighten the metal-plastic pipe (m / n pipes are usually rolled into the bay), and then you by moving it into the frozen pipe until it reaches the ice. After that, we feed on it to the place of freezing the most hot water. The exhausted cold water will be poured on the gap between the plumbing and metal-plastic pipes. By the way, if the supply of water is restricted, you can use the fatty water: to warm up and go to the place of freezing. In this case, the ice cork will melt, and you can push the metal-plastic pipe further.

But what if the frozen section of the tap pipe has bends and turns? Use a rigid metal plastic pipe in this case will not be possible. Is there a solution? In such a situation, you can use a hard hose. Note that the usual watering hose does not fit, it will soften from hot water and push it impossible. Oxygen hoses and hoses for connecting gas cylinders turned out to be effective in such a situation. Such hoses are hard enough, but, nevertheless, they can be poured no more than 10-15 meters from input. In addition, they are sufficiently heavy and pushing them in the pipe with a significant effort.

Method 2

Akak to defrost the pipe of the water pipe, if it happened in tens of meters from the house and the pipeline has bends and turns? There is an effective and economical way. To do this, you will need a set of hardened steel wire (2-4 mm), building hydroeer and circles of esmark (banal enema). The cost of such a set is small, and many have all its components in the farm.

First, it is necessary to align the hydraulic tube and wire, and then fasten the electrical end of the wire to the hydrorevel. To ensure a greater hardness at the end of the wire, you can make a loop. The coam of the wire should not be stitching, and the end of the hydraulic tube should perform 1 centimeter before the wire. After that, the other end of the hydraulic level must be connected to an esmarm mug and push the wire with a tube to the pipeline until it stops into the ice tube. Due to the fact that the hydraulic tube has a very small diameter and very low weight, it easily moves through the pipeline, overcoming all turns. Next, fill hot water, making the frozen water supply "the enema". To collect the outflow of water under the tap pipe, it is necessary to substitute a container, because how much hot water is poured, so much cold - it turns out. As the ice melts, we continue to push the wire with a pipe of a hydraulic system. This method of defrosting pipes is quite long, approximately an hour can be deflated to 1 m of the pipeline, i.e. During the working day, it is possible to free the ice from ice 5-7 m. At the same time, it should not be in a hurry, before pushing the tube / hose, it is necessary to pour at least 10 liters of hot, with minimal cost.

Diagram of the process of defrosting pipes with wire, hydroeer and circles of Escam

Method 3.

Consider the situation when we have a frozen polyethylene plumber of small diameter (20 mm) with a length of 50 m with a laying depth to 80 cm. We note that this is the lack of depth of the water supply laying, so it is frozen. A distinctive feature - the plumbing passes under the roadway. Communals in a similar situation, as a rule, advise waiting for thaw, but, nevertheless, there is a way to do without them.

We will need the following "equipment": a copper two-tier wire (length and thickness of the section, select the length and diameter of the frozen water supply), the plug for the socket, the compressor and the hose for blowing the outflow. For example, for a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm, you can take the wire of 2.5-3 mm and the automotive fuel hose with a diameter of 8 mm, a conventional car compressor (as a pinch, you can use the pump).

We warn that using this method it is necessary to observe special care, since the work is performed using high voltage.

Now it is necessary to prepare all this to the defrost process. From a small area of \u200b\u200bthe wire, you need to remove the outer insulation, divide it into two wires and one of them is screamed (remove the inner insulation), which remains in the insulation of the wire gently bent in the opposite direction along the wire. It is necessary to ensure that the insulation is not damaged.

Then almost next to the fold of the wire you need to make 3-5 turns of the bare wire (as close as possible to each other) and crop its remaining end.

After that, to retreat 2-3 mm from the reels made, barish the second wire and crush it around the wire in the same way. The turns of the first and second wire should not touch, otherwise there will be a short circuit in the future.

To another end of the wire, connect the plug and the "unit" for defrosting the pipe is ready. In the people, this device is known as the "Bulbulator": if you put it into the water and connect to the power grid, then when the current passes through the water, a reaction occurs with the highlight of a large amount of heat. In our case, such a device is ideal, because only water is heated, and the wire remains cold, i.e. Plastic tube will not even pay randomly.

The assembled device must be checked. To do this, it must be placed in a jar with water and connect to the power. If air bubbles are departed from contacts and a slight buzz is felt - the unit works. Once again we remind you that when you contact with water while the device works, you can get a blow to the current.

We proceed to the process of defrosting the water supply. The wire must be carefully pushed into the pipe so that it does not be bent. Therefore, it is preferable to take a large cross section. When the wire rides in the ice cork, you need to turn on the "Bulbuiler" and wait one or two minutes. Now you can try to push the wire further: the ice began to melt. When it is dropped around the meter of the pipe, it is desirable to blow off the water with the help of a compressor, it is necessary to reduce the volume of heated water, and that the water supply is not freezing again at the already frostbed site.

If there is special equipment, then it is advisable to screw the crane on the pipe. When water goes through the pipe, the wire is pulled out of it, and the crane is closed, i.e. Fixing the place of the defrosting procedure (for example, basement) will not happen.

So that plastic pipes do not freeze should be remembered:

  • pipe laying should be carried out at a depth below the level of soil freezing of a particular region. In the northern and eastern regions of Ukraine - Lugansk, Kharkov, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernigovsky - the depth of the primer of the soil does not exceed 100 cm, in the southern - (Nikolaev, Odessa, Kherson) - 60 cm, in the remaining-80 cm . Water and sewer pipes are desirable to lay at a depth of at least 120-140 cm.
  • you should not lay the water supply and sewage near the reinforced concrete structures (supports, beams, foundations, woodworks), since the thermal conductivity of the concrete is much higher than the thermal conductivity of the soil, i.e. The probability of ground freezing from the side of the structures is rising. In this case, it is necessary to make insulation of pipes (for example, placing between the pipeline and the stove structures of the plates of extruded polystyrene foam)
  • if finance is allowed next to the pipeline, you can pave a warm cable. Currently, the production of self-regulating heating cables, including only if necessary
  • pipeline Passing Places Through the walls of buildings and structures, it is desirable to warm the glass wool, mineral wool and the mounting foam to prevent direct contact of the pipe walls with walls of buildings
  • when adjusting the water supply in the country area, it is desirable to use pipes with a diameter of at least 50 mm, the pipes of smaller diameter are more susceptible to freezing
  • choosing between different polymer tap pipes should be aware that polyethylene pipes are well transferred to the multiple process of freezing and defrosting, while polypropylene pipes after two or three defrosts can burst
  • if the water supply or sewer in winter is used irregularly, then it is better to completely drain the water from the system.

If all these conditions are observed when laying a water supply, you do not have to think how to defrost pipes.

The water supply is called water lifting system to consumers to provide drinking water and water for technical purposes. The extensive network passes throughout the village and provides for the necessary taps for supplying water to private, apartment buildings and industrial facilities.

Fig. 1. Water supply system

Plastic water pipe system

Water pipelines are divided into 2 types:

  • external;
  • internal.

Internal systems are held inside residential and industrial buildings. External pass outside: underground and above it.

Outdoor water pipers are often exposed to external factors. They become winds, minus temperatures, natural disasters. Minus temperatures lead to the fact that the pipes freeze. This prevents fluid on them and complicates consumption opportunities.

Types of polymers

Plastic water supply is performed from a polymeric material, which is characterized by properties having dependence on the type of polymer:

  • Polyethylene pipes. Used for external type drainage, they proceed to drink water and economic needs.
  • Polyvinyl chloride pipes. Different service life, use with relatively easy installation and dismantling. After the expiration date is recycled.
  • Profiled pipes. Produced from polyethylene and propylene combinations. The advantage of such products is considered to be resistance to high temperatures.
  • Spirals. Made on the basis of a profile with hollow walls of polyethylene. A feature of the application is considered assignment for non-pressure flow.

Fig.2 Polymer pipes

Advantages of using polymer structures:

  • high tightness of the compounds between the plots;
  • resistance to corrosion processes;
  • ease of mounting water pipes;
  • small cost;
  • long use;
  • sustainable indicators relative to the effects of chemical reagents;
  • lack of formation of salt sediments.

The problem of freezing of plastic water supply

The base of all products are polymers that can be unstable to temperature indicators. It is often a problem that employees of utilities or owners of private residential buildings are facing, the freezing of outdoor water supply.

In order to prevent the appearance of such a problem, the owners of private houses are recommended to foresee such risks in advance and prevent them. For this you need:

  • take into account climatic conditions, type, condition of the soil;
  • take into account the specifics of the local highway;
  • take measures to protect the water supply from low temperatures.

Polymer pipes are subject to damage due to the specifics of the material:

  • non-compliance of the quality of products, the installation of products provided for internal use, under the ground;
  • use occurs without taking into account the technical characteristics of the material;
  • the use of low-quality elements for compound and bonding;
  • rigid attachments that do not meet the requirements;
  • finding a water supply in places where the track passes, the load on the soil is improved and has technical features.

Causes of freezing

The main reason, which leads to the freezing of the pipeline in winter, becomes an incorrect product laying. This means that pipes are underway at insufficient depth. If you pave them above the specified mark, then the soil will freeze.

The design of the gasket must be carried out in accordance with the climatic conditions of a particular region. Examination and analysis of hydraulic works helps to find out the possible depth of laying.

There are special cases when the gasket at the depth specified by the specialists is impossible. In this case, it is necessary to provide systems for heating such gaskets.


Fig. 3 frosting of the tap

The reason for the freezing is the insufficiency of the pressure in the pipeline. Small turns lead to ice growth.

The diameter of polymer pipes becomes a factor affecting the formation of outflow. Too large diameter contributes to the freezing due to lack of water flow, too small diameter leads to interruptions from water supply and also becomes the cause of freezing.

Checking the integrity of plastic water supply

To find the place of freezing and defrosting it, it is necessary to determine the places where there are frozen plastic pipes of the water pipeline:

  1. Pipes inspect. In its physical properties, water has the ability to expand during freezing, so the pipe becomes wider in the place where freezing occurred. The water cork is moving plastic, it increases in size.
  2. This method provides for a partial dismantling of the pipeline. The plot to which access is cut is cut, carried out a flexible cable inside and turn it to the place where it rests on the ice cork. In this way, it is possible to defrost a tap plastic pipe that is underground.
  3. The ability to generate pipes over the entire length is not always realized. If you can do this, then where the frozen pipe is detected, crackling.

Fig. 4 Damage to the water pipeline

Methods of defrosting of polymer pipes conductive water

To defrost on its own water pipe underground can be several available methods. To do this, you will need additional equipment that can be used at low temperatures.

  1. Heated polymer pipes with a construction hairdryer. The lack of such an approach is that plastic does not conduct heat. This means that the use of such a fund will not bring a quick result.
  2. Impact hot heat. The pipe is wrapped with rag and watered boiling water. This method helps to heat water and get rid of ice growth in a plastic pipe. For this, the water is allowed through the pipes. The pressure is chosen as low as possible.
  3. Start of hot water. This is an internal way of defrosting pipes. For him, they find the nearest place of the connection, put the flexible hose in the hole and put hot water over it.
  4. Application of the steam generator. A special sleeve of the steam generator is introduced into the connection site. Couples are served from the moment when the sleeve rests on the plug. The flow is carried out slowly, gradually increasing the rev.
  5. Use of electricity. For this method, the twist of thick twilight wires are suitable. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the wires are not connected to avoid closure. Wires are carried out to the plug place include electricity. Heating is slow.
  6. Cleaning the hydrodynamic machine. The method provides for the processing of a place where the product is discharged, pressure. As a breakdown, the plug is shifted and decreases. The hose with the nozzle promotes it further. This technique is effective, but requires cash investments.

Fig.5 Hydrodynamic machine

After the work comes the following step: inspection and evaluation of damage. The house opens the crane, descend near the liter of water, the crane is buried. This method allows heating heating.

Under the sections of the compounds or at the site of the excavation, which managed to free from the soil, expect water to appear 20-25 minutes. If the water appears, it indicates damage to the pipe where it was possible to remove the ice cork.

In this case, it is necessary:

  • excavation;
  • find damage;
  • replace the site.

If there is no water after half an hour, this means that the site does not need to be replaced. It is necessary to insulate the pipes, then close the soil.

Damaged areas are repaired in winter, taking into account the fact that the main work will be carried out at more favorable weather conditions. Places where the pipe frozen and occurred, cut out, replace on new with the strengthening of special compounds or fittings. Often use welding if conditions allow it. After connecting the sections, the water is allowed and check the connection density. If the products were cleaned of water residues, sand, foreign objects, and the connections are fixed in accordance with the standards, the water supply will start working properly.

Prevention of water freezing in water supply

So that water in the plumbing system does not freeze, it is necessary to take measures in advance or carry out the repair of an existing system in the warm season.

If in a private house there is no regular use of the water supply, then the water is descended, the cranes overlap. Start is carried out gradually, increasing the volume of water used.

Builders and utility specialists recommend to take into account some points in the design, installation and use of water supply systems:

  • designers reveal the levels of freezing in a particular region, the laying is carried out in accordance with these measurements;
  • do not produce gasket pipes for water near reinforced concrete structures, which have a higher degree of thermal conductivity, thereby taking heat to themselves;
  • for installation, insulating materials are used in cases where the owners are confident that the freezing is quite possible, it may depend on the climatic conditions of the region or from the impossibility of laying to a depth of more than 2 m;
  • for thermal insulation, pieces of foam, mineral wool, clamzit, vermoculitis, rags are used;
  • places where the entry of the system is occurring into camshafts or residential premises are considered the most defenseless, so they are insulated with special cases, the filling of the construction type, mineral wool;
  • the plumbing pipes are wrapped with special cables that are connected to the heating system at low temperatures, strong frosty winds;
  • where the water pipes are most susceptible to freezing, it is recommended to use products with thick walls, with a cross section of at least 5 mm.

In contrast to plastic water supply, metal structures have a longer service life. This is explained by the physical properties of metal pipes of water pipes. They are also prone to freezing for several reasons:

  • use for mounting various products with excellent manufacturers;
  • the appearance of corrosion inside the pipe;
  • use of incorrect fasteners, details of poor quality;
  • the appearance of rust, condensate;
  • salt-type deposits inside due to the characteristics of physical qualities, which is why the risk of formation of a land in a weakened place increases.

Fig. 6 Metal water pipe

After the season is completed, the following activities are carried out:

  • remove all heating elements to prevent overheating of the system in the hot season;
  • inspect the system to identify damage;
  • conduct reconstruction to prevent freezing in the future.

Competent design and timely repair work will avoid problems with the freezing of water in the water supply and lack of water supply.

If the cork formation occurred inside or outside the water pipeline, it is necessary to take measures to heat the plastic tube, and provide ways to protect the water supply system in the ground.