Well insulation: when is it necessary and what to use

In this article, our site of advice decided to raise the topic of insulation of wells, which are the sources of water in many country houses. We will figure out exactly when the well needs insulation, what materials can be used for this purpose, and also provide video instructions on how to do it yourself.

First, let’s figure out for whom the insulation of the well becomes an urgent, urgent task:

• For everyone whose well was built of reinforced concrete rings. And these are now the majority. Our ancestors built wells from wood, which helped the water not freeze in winter. Reinforced concrete has high thermal conductivity, will freeze in the same way as the soil around;
• For regions where the depth of soil freezing reaches and exceeds 1.5 meters. In the south, this figure is only half a meter, therefore, for the inhabitants of these regions of our country, the issue of well insulation is not relevant;
• For wells where the water level is high – no more than 2.5 meters. If the water is deep, below the freezing point of the soil, the danger that it will turn into ice is zero.

Thus, it is definitely necessary to thoroughly insulate the well if it is located in regions with a temperate and northern climate, built of reinforced concrete rings and has a high water level.

Even in the southern regions, experts are sure that additional measures need to be taken to protect the well in winter. The portal wrote how to make the head of the well with your own hands and what it can be. Be sure to do this, do not leave reinforced concrete rings above the ground without protection. Build a well house with a roof and a lockable timber door. In addition, if you do not have such a house, you need to use either purchased plastic covers for reinforced concrete wells, or an ordinary wooden shield knocked down from boards, or a hatch cut from thick plywood or chipboard, for example. You need to cover the well from above.

Important! Freezing of a well is dangerous because the joints between the reinforced concrete rings will begin to diverge, the rings themselves will shift, and cracks will appear on the walls. In addition, there is a risk of ice blockage in the water supply system and damage to pumping equipment..

If the question arose about the capital insulation of a well made of reinforced concrete, then the following materials can be used:

• Styrofoam. Inexpensive, easy to use, not afraid of moisture, does not deform. Outside, you just need to protect it with soil or plaster if the insulation is located above ground level. For wells, polystyrene half rings are produced, which are very convenient to use;
• Extruded polystyrene foam. Better performance than Styrofoam, but more expensive. In addition, it is produced with plates, the joints between which will need to be blown out with polyurethane foam;
• Cellular polymer insulation. For example, isolon, which is used for floor insulation. Sold in rolls, it is convenient to wrap around the rings of the well, fixing with glue for outdoor use, if the material is not self-adhesive. The joints are glued with tape;
• Polyurethane foam. The most reliable, but also the most expensive material for insulating wells and in general for outdoor use. It is applied to well rings by spraying, you need special equipment. However, it serves for a very long time, does not require additional waterproofing.

Important! Mineral wool, a popular insulation material, is absolutely not suitable for wells! With high humidity, it loses its properties, and you have to bury the mineral wool in the soil. No waterproofing will save in such conditions of use. And why do you need extra expenses.

The easiest way is to insulate the well during the construction phase. We strongly advise you to think about it. Otherwise, if you do not solve this issue in advance, you will have to do earthwork and dig a trench around the well, which should be at least half a meter deeper than the maximum possible level of soil freezing in your area. And already in this trench, work with insulation.

Important! From the inside, only technical wells and wells are insulated.

Let us state: rather simple measures to insulate the well should be taken even during its construction. However, then, too, not all is lost, to cope with the task is within the power of every homeowner. Well insulation will extend its service life, help avoid repair costs and allow you to use water all year round.