insulating buried water line

[jarhead]

Has anyone ever put the foam insulation around buried PVC water line. Wouldn't it add extra protection?

Our frost line is at 30" and I can only get the trencher to go 30" so I am a little concerned.

I am extending a current water line out to my barn. It is at 33" and has been fine for 5 years.

Thanks, Joe

 

[Junkman]

a single layer of 2" Styrofoam on top of the line prior to covering it will be all you need. If you are wanting a guaranteed frost proof line, then encase the entire line with 2" Styrofoam, and half way up the back fill, put a second layer of 2" Styrofoam insulation. Unless you are in the Arctic, this will work..

 

[kbs2244]

Frost line depths specified for construction are usually pretty conservative.
So if they call for 30 inches, and you can get the trench to 30 inches, you should be OK.
But, like junkman says, it never hurts to be careful.
The other old trick is, if you have a long cold spell, go to the far end and turn on the water a bit.
You don’t need it to be full flow, just something.
Moving water doesn’t freeze very well.

 

[jarhead]

Thanks for the replies, I will try the styrofoam!