Insulating Pipe on Well

[hunterridgefarm]

I think I will replace the cooler, plywood, and cinder blocks with a trash can!!! It will look a little more refined until I get something built.

Until I read this I did not think it was possible for my trash can to look more refined than anything in the world, but you have me beat...

Dave,

I'll try to get a picture just for you this weekend. That way if anyone says your trash does not look refined...you can show them my pic!

 

[turnkey4099]

Should have our water on in the next day or two and I need to insulate the pipe that is above ground on the well. I have aprox 3' of pipe (PVC) that comes out of the top of the casing, makes two-three turns before going underground.

I have an outdoor receptacle at the well so I could plug in the "heat tape" but all I have found has been too long. I was think about just wraping it it the foam type insulation and some fiberglass insulation then covering it with an old box or foam cooler for a temporary fix until I can build something better.

My old well was bored so there was never a problem of freeze but this well is drilled so some of the PVC is exposed and we will still have some cold nights ahead.

Temps will be in the 20's later in the week and I don't want to take a chance of having the pipes freeze.

Any suggestions?

Never had to do this before so do you think wraping in insulation and covering it will be enough protection until I can build a better structure?

Also if anyone has a picture of your well house post it. I plan to build something small where I can remove the roof if it needs serviced but leave enough room incase I need to add a heat lamp at some point since temp can get to the single digits and low teens.

Any advice you can offer will be appreciated!!

I can get a picture if needed.

David

If that is a new well, call the company and have them come back and do it right. There should be no pipe coming out above ground.

If it is an old well, call a well company and have them put in a pitless adapter.

Harry K

 

[oscar80]

Its common around eastern NC to have the pipes exposed. Mine havent froze yet in the 2 winter we have been here. I do have a small wishing well looking cover so that helps.

Dave

 

[turnkey4099]

Its common around eastern NC to have the pipes exposed. Mine havent froze yet in the 2 winter we have been here. I do have a small wishing well looking cover so that helps.

Dave

Now that makes me curious. Why would anyone want a pipe coming up out of the ground only to double back down into the ground? What benefit does it provide? It it goes to a standpipe, perhaps but even that doesn't make a lot of sense as a 'frost free' buried one does the same thing.

Even if I were in a climate where freezing is not a problem I wouldn't want a pipe stickig out subject to being hit with equipment, etc.

Harry K

 

[oscar80]

I have no idea. I am from Upstate NY and ours we all underground. Here I one pipe split in 2 and then they go back into the ground there seperate ways

Dave

 

[Lasgambler]

Here in Western Arizona, The well drillers/pump setters always come straight out of the top. I think it is less work for them not to have to dig and bore/cut a hole in the side of the steel casing. I have never heard of a "Pitless" Sounds good to me.

We can get by with just pipe wrap on the exposed here. Thats a good Idea CurlyDave, with the cans and Thermocube.

You can always make your well house out of old barn wood and put a 'half moon in the door.

 

[CurlyDave]

Why would anyone want a pipe coming up out of the ground only to double back down into the ground? What benefit does it provide?

I think it provides a lot more resistance to surface water entering the well.

Essentially, around here the top 75' of the well is lined with 6" steel pipe, and the hole around the steel pipe is packed with a bentonite mix to produce a "water seal". The steel pipe stands 12-18" above the ground. Now if you really believe the bentonite completely prevents water from dripping down around the steel pipe, I have a bridge you will want to buy.

If the steel pipe doesn't stand above the ground, there is a path for rain water to seep through the earth above the well and travel down the outside of the pipe. Once there, it drips into your drinking water.

I would much rather have the pipe exposed than completely buried. At least the well house directs water away from the bentonite-steel interface.

 

[SpringHollow]

Here, the metal well pipe sticks out of the ground for reasons mentioned but the buried side connectors are used for the water line - nice to not have to worry about them freezing. Some people have a well house with a pump, etc. The are typically insulated with a light bulb on all the time as heat. But every so often, i hear of someone's bulb burning out or an extended power outage, and things freeze/

Ken

 

[Egon]

Here in the land of cold winters pitless is about all you will see on private water wells.

 

[turnkey4099]

Here in the land of cold winters pitless is about all you will see on private water wells.

Amen to that! In addition, another thing I find passing strange, are those who build a well house to stick the tank into and then insulate and heat it. My neighbor did just that by putting the tank into a room in a shed. Then put a lot of money into fixing it so it wouldn't freeze.

Put the tank and associated controls into the house where they:
a. Won't freeze
b. Are easy to get at for maintenance.

Harry K