Severe Weather and Frozen Water Supply

T

Tomjim

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For the last 2 years my water has frozen in the path outside the house in the severe weather. The water pipe is just under the concrete path ie 4 inches underground. When I put fires on the path I got it going as this thawed out the path/ pipe.

Now I have cut the path and am going to dig the pipe down a bit into the ground.

What depth should the pipe be inder the path, note there is mostly gravel under the path.

Is there anyting I can put on the water pipe to provide it with protection from the frost.
 
The recommended debt is 18" afaik but should you not be getting the council to do this.
 
It may well depend on how much play you have on the pipe as to how deep you can go down, unless you are going to cut in a section.

I would insulate the pipework with as much External Grade Insulation as you can get round the pipe, ensuring a minimum insulation wall thickness of at least equal to the diameter of the pipe and do not leave anywhere with missing areas including joints. What I mean by external grade insulation is insulation that does not soak in moisture as this will freeze and you will be back to square one.

Most suppliers such as Heatmerchants will stock external grade insulation. Armacell is probably one of the best manufacturers.
 
Tomjim said:
For the last 2 years my water has frozen in the path outside the house in the severe weather. The water pipe is just under the concrete path ie 4 inches underground. When I put fires on the path I got it going as this thawed out the path/ pipe.

Now I have cut the path and am going to dig the pipe down a bit into the ground.

What depth should the pipe be inder the path, note there is mostly gravel under the path.

Is there anyting I can put on the water pipe to provide it with protection from the frost.
Click to expand...

I had this problem a year ago, Tomjim. The stopcock froze and the underground pipe probably froze also. Anyway, we had no water for over a week.

This year I bought a "stopcock cosy." It's like a small dome, made from heavy insulation, and it fits over the stopcock and you simply close the cover when you've put it on.

I also got 4 x 2 sheets of 50mm insulation and laid them on the ground, starting at the stopcock and going all the way over the pipe to where it enters the house. Solved the problem completely. :)
 
The recommended depth of a mains water service pipe entering a building is at least 760mm.
The problem is that many of the water services entering buildings are too shallow under ground level. Wait until meters are fitted, cosy wraps and all the insulation in the world will not stop penetrating freezing tempersatures interrupting water supplies.
Many water services have been fitted by groundwork crews on many of the housing estates in this country. Many of these contractors( not plumbers) did not understand the importance of burying water services deep enough.
 
Yes, but if the stopcock out by the road is only just below the ground, as in my case, burying the mains pipe deeper won't necessarily solve the problem. And I disagree with you about the insulation. It worked for every house in my park that used it this year. Those who didn't use it had frozen pipes.
 
The stopcock out on the pavement/footpath should be 760mm below ground level meaning that the service pipe will be that depth also
My point was that in many estates these pipes/valves were not installed to the correct depth as they were installed by people not qualified to do same.
Glad to hear that you and your neighbours have no freezing probems but many people have.
 
Hi. Just spotted this thread while looking for ways to plan ahead for this winter. Someone mentioned covering ground with insulation to insulate underground pipes. Just wondering - what kind of insulation did you use? And how do you know what route the pipes take from the stopcock to the kitchen? thanks!
 
It'll normally be in a straight line from the road/path to the point the pipe enters the house, often via the side garage or side passage, under the path or driveway for protection.


ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matter at hand.
 
Thanks for this. Do you mean that the pipe is likely to go all the way around the house under the path to the kitchen, or it will go under the house at the nearest point to the front gate and from there to the kitchen?

Tomjim - when you say you put fires on the path to thaw it out, what do you mean exactly?

Lex - we used the stopcock cosy last year too but it didn't make any difference. Would like to try the insulation on the ground trick though. What kind of insulation did you use?

thanks everyone. Here's hoping we have a soft winter this year though.
 
Treen said:
Thanks for this. Do you mean that the pipe is likely to go all the way around the house under the path to the kitchen, or it will go under the house at the nearest point to the front gate and from there to the kitchen?
Click to expand...

Its difficult to say Treen.

You'll have to trace it back from the stopcock.


ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matter at hand.
 
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