4. Water Service Protection and Maintenance
Insulation and Heat Tracing
Pipes are protected in many ways, they require protection from a variety of things including extreme hot or cold temperatures, heavy objects, sharp rocks, condensation, vibration, wear, water hammer and several other hazards. It’s very important to cover the water service pipe with the appropriate backfill to prevent damage to the piping system. These specifications may vary depending on the type of backfill and pipe used.
Pre-Insulated Water Service Pipe
When installing water service pipes it’s important to bury them below the frost line (approximately 4’ deep), this isn’t always possible due to shallow bed rock in some areas. Cottages in Muskoka Ontario only have about 1 foot of ground cover before bed rock, in these areas it’s important to install some type of freeze protection. Below is an example of a water service pipe that is insulated with a type of Styrofoam and then has a jacket on the outside of the insulation. This specific type of pipe and insulation comes as an assembled package and is normally quite expensive. Similar products can be bought and assembled on site costing less.
Self-Regulating Heat Cable
Heat tracing is a popular option to use with or without insulation, it should be known that this heat releasing cable operates using electricity and is subject to failure. Some versions of this freeze protection are available at local hardware stores in pre-cut measured lengths made easy for homeowners to install while others are available for commercial and industrial use are delivered to the jobsite in large coils that are cut to custom lengths and made to the specific requirements of each job.
Products have been made that are far more reliable and durable than in the past. The product is only as good as the person that installs it, close attention should be paid to the instructions because not installing this product properly can cause freezing, damage or fire.
Insulated Pipe with Heat Tracing Installed from the Factory
The freeze protection shown below is another example of a product that is pre- assembled from the manufacturer. Although it’s quite expensive it is a pre-assembled system that is ready to be installed and can save labor costs on the jobsite and prevent construction delays.
Whenever applying heat trace to pipe always read the directions to confirm that a specific heat trace is approved for use with different types of pipe.
Curb Box (Frost Box)
A curb box is installed on the homeowner’s property, normally located somewhere within the first 5 or 10 feet of their front yard. The curb box is intended to be an extension of the curb cock, a valve that is provided to turn the water on and off (from outside) without access to the water meter.
The curb box or frost box is also designed to act as an expansion device in shifting soil conditions. It’s designed to slide up and down to prevent the pipe buried below from damage. There is a brass plug in the top centre of the curb box that can be removed, and a long metal rod (key) can be inserted to turn the water on and off.
Image Credits
- Groundbreaker Systems. (n.d.). Shalloduct pipe protection in 94mm twin wall pipe. https://groundbreaker.co.uk/products/shalloduct/
- Heat-Line. (n.d.). 2300 Series self-regulating heating cable. https://heatline.com/cut-to-length
- Heat-Line. (n.d.). Cut-to-length. https://heatline.com/cut- to-length
- Heat-Line. (n.d.). Insulation. https://heatline.com/insulation
- Mueller Co. (n.d.). Extension type with arch pattern base. https://www.muellercompany.com/water-works/service-brass/curb-valves- boxes/curb- boxes/title-not-provided-4/