Water supply to the bathhouse in winter so that it does not freeze
There are many methods for building water supply in the bathhouse, from a simple rubber pipe (temporary structure), which is laid along a wire stretched between the buildings, to a serious self-regulating system with heating and automatic draining. The water supply scheme is traditionally selected according to the operating conditions, the distance of the water source and the frequency of use of the steam room. The main thing is that in winter the pipes and shut-off valves of the water supply system do not break the frozen water inside. Let's look at how to install plumbing in a bathhouse in winter.
The water in the bath freezes, why?
The question of why water in a bathhouse freezes in winter is inappropriate - because zero temperature is enough for water to pass from a liquid to a solid state of aggregation. This is understandable. But in the conditions of early cold weather and severe winter in most of our country, a practical question immediately arises: how to properly install water in a bathhouse so that it does not freeze in winter?
What is the risk of water freezing in winter in a bathhouse without heating? Firstly, water will not be able to pass through the ice plug , and secondly, frozen pipes will be broken by the ice . This is due to the fact that the volume of liquid water and ice is different for the same mass. That is, water (stationary, mind you!) fits freely inside the pipe, but ice is already cramped. And the force of his pressure on the walls is such that they cannot stand it.
Since rupture of pipes will require replacement of communications , it is better to immediately install the water supply in the bathhouse so that it does not freeze in winter.
What options do we have? For the winter, the water supply in a bathhouse without heating can be insulated with fur coats and shells , or you can use heating devices to keep the pipes warm. You can use the properties of the soil and run water supply to the bathhouse below the soil freezing level. There are other options, but first things first.
What pipes are recommended for installation?
The choice of pipes for the construction of a bath water supply system depends on a number of parameters. The most significant of them:
- period of use;
- budget;
- construction and installation skills of the owner.
So, if the bathhouse is used only in the warm season, it will be easiest to establish a water supply using flexible hoses. Such a system is quickly deployed in the spring and dismantled just as quickly in the fall. It costs the least.
If you plan to establish a water supply in winter, then metal-plastic pipes will be required. They are durable and easy to install. Their disadvantage is the presence of rubber gaskets in the connections. When used outdoors and in the ground, these gaskets quickly lose their properties. The connections themselves are made of metal alloys, which in turn are susceptible to corrosion.
Metal-plastic pipes are ideal for water supply in winter
A good option would be to use polypropylene pipes. They do not corrode, and connections between pipes and fittings are made by soldering. For high-quality connections, special equipment and acquired experience are required.
Water in the bathhouse in winter without heating
Let's start with how you can get water into the bathhouse so that it doesn't freeze in winter. More precisely, we will list all the methods, and separately mark those that are suitable for supplying water to the bathhouse in winter.
From the water supply
If in the area where your bathhouse is located there is a well-functioning main line with good pressure, then why not use it to supply water to the bathhouse?
Basically they do this: they bring water into the house, and from the house they pull a pipe to the bathhouse. There are no fundamental differences between connecting directly to the main line or to house communications, so let’s move on to a description of how exactly you can run water from the water supply (of course, you can run it at any time).
Plumbing on top (by air)
The essence of the wiring is that the pipe extends above the surface of the earth . Moreover, the method itself can be called “over the top” or “over the air”.
In order to ensure the reliability of the structure over long spans, it is recommended to use a cable to which your pipe will be attached - similar to how a wire is suspended to transmit electricity through the air.
To prevent the cold water in the bathhouse from freezing in winter, the pipes must be laid at a large or slight slope. In this case, it is enough to turn off the water from the house or on the main line, and open the tap in the bathhouse and let all the water in the pipes drain. If there is no water, there will be nothing to freeze , so even polypropylene pipes will not burst.
However, there is one trick, which you will learn about in the video below. If you use it, there will be no water left in the pipes at all:
But this is not the only way to run water supply to a bathhouse in winter from above. You can do the same thing, but use, firstly, polyethylene pipes (LDPE), because they are more elastic, and under the influence of expanding ice they are more likely to swell than break, and secondly, to ensure the protection of the pipes from the environment and heat.
Watch the following video to get an idea of exactly how protection and insulation is provided:
If you understand that the only reason why pipes can be torn by ice is the water remaining in the pipe, then you can make your life extremely simple by carrying water into the bathhouse by air in winter and never having to deal with the fact that it has frozen. In this case, neither heating nor insulation is required - it’s enough just not to place a tap at the end of the pipe:
From the well
We will assume that you already have a well. In order to power a bathhouse from it, you will need the following:
- Lay a trench from the bathhouse to the well, and the desired depth of depth is one that exceeds the depth of soil freezing in your area.
- Place the pipe in the trench. And for insulation, “fur coats” made of foamed polymers are put on.
- Make a hole in the wall of the well and insert a pipe into it, connecting it to the pump that you intend to use. You can use a flexible hose to make the connection, and also install a check valve so that water from the system does not return to the well.
- Insulate the walls of the well. But this is done at the stage of its construction, so let’s just say that the protective house must also be insulated - this is necessary so that the water surface does not freeze in winter.
- Since part of the pipe is inevitably brought to the surface for installation in the bathhouse, you need to take care of insulating this area, in particular, it can be equipped with a heating cable, because the polymer “coat” may not save this area from freezing.
Nuances of thermal insulation of a well
If the well is built using traditional technology and has a log frame, the water in it does not freeze even in the most severe frosts, since wood is an excellent natural heat insulator.
But concrete rings, which are being used more and more widely, conduct heat well, transferring cold from the frozen ground. Wells with a high water table are at particular risk of freezing.
To insulate a concrete well, you will have to dig out rings to the freezing depth for a given region (plus a small reserve in case of a particularly cold winter). Next, the rings are covered with narrow strips of penoplex so as to ensure maximum adherence to the concrete. The gaps between the sheets and rings and the joints are filled with polyurethane foam. Polystyrene foam is not suitable for this purpose; it will crumble when filled with soil. Mineral wool will inevitably become saturated with moisture and lose its heat-shielding properties.
The house above the well should also be insulated with polystyrene foam; this material is not afraid of moisture.
How to run hot water
If you have a hot water supply line, then there should be no problems with hot water in the bathhouse in winter. Of course, if the highway is functioning normally.
Everyone else will have to fend for themselves. At worst, there is a stove in the bathhouse, the heat of which in large quantities simply “flies down the chimney” in the literal sense - the gases in the chimney do not have time to give off heat and escape too hot.
But you can also install a boiler so as not to wait for the stove to heat the water in the tank. However, first things first.
How to install plumbing in a bathhouse so it doesn't freeze
Well, the method itself and the necessary set of elements for wiring hot water supply do not differ from those for cold water.
The only difference will be in the pipes - after all, pipes for hot water should not be deformed from high temperatures, so polyethylene ones are not suitable. Take those marked for DHW .
Polypropylene pipe for hot water supply. Photo by Petrovich.
But since we are talking about a bathhouse, that is, about a building with periodic use, then with the taps closed, of course, the water in the system will cool down, and in cold weather it will turn into ice and burst the pipes.
Therefore, the owner must decide exactly how he is going to supply water to the bathhouse and ensure complete drainage of water from the bathhouse in winter.
There are two options: on top and underground . In both cases, the water is shut off in the house or at the point of connection with the main line, and what remains in the system must be drained.
In order not to repeat ourselves, we will not describe the drainage device in detail here (it is common to all water supply systems); instead, we suggest going down to the corresponding heading in this article.
Boiler or water heater in a bath without heating
We have already said that an alternative to the main hot water supply can be an autonomous boiler or water heater. Moreover, in this case, you don’t even have to wait for the stove to heat the water, because gas or electricity does it for it in a separate installation.
any are now called boilers . In fact, the choice is made between three options:
- wood-burning water heater of instantaneous or storage type;
- gas water heater of instantaneous or storage type;
- electric water heater of instantaneous or storage type.
As you can see, the difference lies in what kind of fuel will be used, and whether it will be a storage tank, or water will only flow through it.
In a large bathhouse, a boiler is a necessary thing in winter. However, we can immediately say that at this time of year, instantaneous boilers may simply not cope with the task. Therefore, in a bathhouse without heating in winter, it is better to use a storage type water heater.
Since we are talking about rooms with periodic use, it is important to know how to protect equipment from low temperatures during the cold season.
So, you can purchase a water heater with the function of constantly heating water, but this is convenient for those who use the bathhouse quite often in the winter. Because if during the period of absence the air temperature in the bathhouse drops below plus 5 degrees, then heating will occur under conditions for which the manufacturer is not responsible.
Methods for defrosting hidden underground and other inaccessible sections of pipes
Using hot water to remove ice plugs is suitable for communications made of any material:
- The pipe is disconnected from the tap;
- An Esmarch mug (“pear”) is attached to a hose of smaller diameter than the frozen part of the water supply on one side, and steel wire of the required length on the other;
- To drain, place a bucket or other container under the pipe;
- The hose with the wire is inserted into the water supply until it becomes clogged;
- Hot water is poured through Esmarch's mug into the pipe using a hose, which is moved forward with a wire as the ice melts until the plug is completely removed.
Using electricity for defrosting:
- The two-core wire is separated and, after removing the insulation, both conductors are tightly twisted separately;
Attention! The cores should not come into contact during operation - this can lead to electric shock!
- The wire is inserted into the pipe up to the ice plug and connected to the network;
- Due to the potential difference, the mash heats up and begins to melt;
- To pump out the resulting water, the use of a compressor or pump is required;
- The wire moves inside the pipe until the plug is completely thawed.
Plumbing diagrams
Despite all the variability of the task facing you, it can be typified. This will reduce many details, but, on the other hand, it’s hardly worth taking on the task of installing a water supply system in a bathhouse in the winter without heating without experience. Schemes will not replace it.
We will give one scheme for each case described above. By the way, the decision about the need for a heating cable in each specific case is up to you. It may not be labeled, but remember that such a solution exists.
Winter water supply from a well (with temporary accommodation in winter)
Winter water supply from the well of a bathhouse with temporary residence.
Regarding this scheme, it is worth adding that the pumping station can also be located in a bathhouse, and a caisson in a well is not at all necessary.
From home to cold bath
Conducting the main water supply to the bathhouse through a trench.
You can bring main water into the bathhouse either from the main itself or from home. In the latter case, it can also be carried out by air.
Well water
Water supply diagram for a bathhouse from a well with a pump. Photo from the site sib-bur.ru
Despite the fact that the pipe and cable are shown here separately, running even at some distance from each other, in fact they go together, inside one protective pipe, while the cable is wound to the water pipe.
Water supply for a bathhouse in winter without constant heating
Above we showed only diagrams for adding water to the bathhouse. But we should also talk about how to take care of the main water supply points: the shower and toilet.
How to turn on the water so it doesn’t freeze: shower in the bathhouse
Since the bathhouse is an unheated room, in the absence of the owners and the heating of the stove, the temperature in it becomes the same as outside. And water freezes at zero. Internal communications are bursting with ice just as much as external ones .
The basic rule for showering in a bathhouse in winter is that if the hose is flexible with a watering can, then it must be placed on the floor or at the bottom of the shower stall before leaving. This will ensure that the water that is inside the hose drains out.
taps must be left open , because when draining, air enters through them instead of draining water.
Everything else concerns the general drain, which will be discussed further.
How to run cold water into a bath toilet
Frost breaks toilet bowls with remaining water in the same way as pipes. Therefore, you can’t just leave the toilet in the bathhouse in winter. Care must be taken to ensure that ice does not form in the toilet.
This can be achieved by various means. You can fill the toilet seat with antifreeze or other liquid that changes the freezing point.
Alternatively, you can use a solution of table salt made at the limit of dissolution, that is, when more salt simply does not dissolve. Its freezing point is minus 21.2 degrees.
If frosts below this mark are expected, use another liquid - based antifreeze , for example. But keep in mind that this is poison for humans! Alternatively, it would be possible to prevent it from evaporating by using an oil film on the surface, but we do not know how oil will behave with ethylene glycol.
However, let’s remember why we need liquid in the toilet siphon - to prevent odors from the sewer from entering the toilet. There is another option - without poisons. You need to completely dry the toilet seat (using a rag, for example, or using the clever device described in the video below:
After draining, you can place an inflated balloon or even just stuff a rag - this is done to prevent the flow of air from the sewer. We think this is better and easier than leaving the liquid.
Well, don’t forget to first drain the water from the tank completely.
To conclude the topic, there is a video that says, in principle, the same thing as we said above, but you can check
