How to insulate a sewer pipe

To date, local sewage in the house or at the 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 experts who give a general idea of ​​how to insulate the sewer pipe correctly.

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

Consequences of pipe freezing

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

• Freezing in the pipes, the 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 may 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 do you need it

Some sources believe 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.

Visiting the restroom on the street has some advantages:

1. It takes much less time to go to the toilet.
2. Great water savings in the winter, as the toilet does not need to be flushed, and 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 start pre-warming the system in advance.

Ways of system insulation

The most popular are the three methods of insulation of the sewer system:

1. With the help of 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

For insulation outdoor sewage can use a variety of insulating materials.

Mineral wool

The material belongs 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 necessary, since the material is hygroscopic and loses its main function when moistened.

Polyurethane foam and foam

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

Easy to use material that 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

For insulation of pipes in the ground, too, there are several ways.

Pennyzole

This heater is produced in the form of a liquid, which, when frozen, 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 is expensive.

Use of heating cable

The modern method of pipe insulation 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.

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

The disadvantage of this 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 variant 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.

Wrap insulating material

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

1. At the preparatory stage they dig trenches, whose width reaches 60 cm. At the same time, the pipe diameter is 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 of 10 cm is necessary for laying a pillow 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. Perform the connection of all parts.
5. You can wear a pipe on the pipe and fix it with a special tape so that the material does not hang out.
6. The system must be filled with sand and tamped on 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 squeeze, and the surface will even out.

Among the shortcomings of this method, it is necessary to highlight the inability to repair when clogged or other pipe failures. It will be necessary to break the system, which will be very problematic in the winter.

Outdoor work

The most suitable option for insulation of sewage pipes outside in the region with severe frosts is the combined method. If the winters do not have a low temperature, you can give preference to insulation insulation material without using a heating cable.

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

The insulation of the sewer pipe is not an obligatory, but desirable, event, during which a little money and patience are required. 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: