Underground water pipes are an essential part of any home. They transport water when and where it’s needed and frankly, many homeowners take this process for granted. Until something goes wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in a part of the country where freezing temperatures occur, insulating underground water pipes is an essential part of keeping the water flowing when you and your family need it. In addition, insulation also helps to prevent condensation, corrosion, vapor leaks and it helps to regulate the temperature of the water flowing through those pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Underground, moisture and corrosion are a constant threat to your pipes. Even with resistant coatings, the constant exposure to water and chemicals in the soil can easily create problems. Insulating the pipes helps to provide an additional measure of protection for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bottom line is that insulating underground water pipes will help to lengthen the lifespan of your water pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inserting your water pipes inside a larger pipe that is insulated is the most watertight system for underground pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step #1 – Minimum of 30 inch Trench<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The water pipe should be placed in a trench that is at least 30 inches deep. Depending on where you live, you will want to dig a trench that is below the frost line which can sometimes be as little as 18 inches or as much as 4 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #2 – Gravel and Heavy Plastic Wrap<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Place about 3 inches of gravel in the trench and then a large heavy plastic wrap. Make sure it’s large enough to eventually wrap around the large pipes that you will be using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #3 – Large Pipes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The large pipes that you will be inserting your smaller water pipes in need to be large enough to not only accommodate the water pipe but also to accommodate insulation that you will be stuffing into it to help protect the water pipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #4 – Foam Board Insulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Add strips of the foam board insulation or polystrene into the large pipe and push the water pipe through it. By now the large pipes with the smaller water pipes and insulation should be sitting in the trench on top of the gravel and plastic sheeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step #5 – Wrap The Pipes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fold the plastic sheeting around the insulation and the water pipes. Go ahead and tape the edges of the plastic sheet to help keep it in place and insulated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n