Frozen fill dirt on water line?

[Nic3456]

I trenched a waterline a couple of months ago but left a pit open where I made a connection going from a 2 inch to 1 inch pipe. The water is getting turned on next week but the ground is fairly frozen. I will backfill that same day as soon as we test the line but is that going to provide any insulation/protection if using frozen backfill? In central Ohio and current daytime temps for the 15th are expected to be a high of 19/low of 9

 

[Raspy]

If the pipe is not below the frost line and the dirt can't thaw and dry out, it seems like a problem, unless water will be flowing in the new pipe enough to keep it from freezing.

 

[Nic3456]

It will be flowing a bit, but not sure how much. should leave it running? We won't permanently move into the house for at least a week after the water is turned on.Plumber that made the connection didn't seem worried about it, but didn't seem right to me based upon everything I've read /learned about freezing pipes.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Cover it with some stone first. How deep is the line? May want to leave the water running abit just for insurance until the ground has a chance to warm the backfill up a bit.

 

[Streetcar]

Do not use stone, cover with 6" of sand minimum. Stone can wear through pipe. Frozen soil will settle as it thaws

 

[Nic3456]

Line will be about 38-40" deep - I have some leftover sand from septic - will that work better?

 

[Streetcar]

Sand from septic will work as long as it is not frozen
How big is the hole
I have covered area with plywood before for insulating purposes

 

[PILOON]

Just keep the water flowing as running water won't freeze.
Strips of foam board like 12" wide B4 back filling would be a great insurance. I have done so on water lines that were merely10-12" deep in a zone that we consider frost line to be 18". eat insurance for the cost. (use pink or blue foam board)

 

[Nic3456]

Hole is probably 2 ft long by 3 ft wide - might try the sand and the insulation

 

[s219]

The main thing you need to insulate against is the ambient air. Even frozen dirt will do that to a certain extent. Assuming the pipe is below the frostline, it's going to have a giant source of ground heat below. Insulate all of that from ambient air and you're good.

That said, frozen dirt is hard to work with and may not insulate well if you can't spread and pack it. If you can dump some of that septic sand over the pipe and get it distributed and packed to 2' depth, then I think you're in good shape. Follow that with your frozen dirt if more fill is needed.

How deep is the frost line where you are? Basically, you want at least that much dirt above the pipe as a minimum buffer against ambient air.