building on piers - water line/septic line

[cbc58]

how do you protect water/septic lines from freezing if you build on piers? 

[glenn kangiser]

There are so many different locations covered here on the forum, you will get lots of different answers.  For me it is no problem - it doesn't freeze hard enough.

If you could fill this in per Don's tutorial - just takes a few minutes, we will know your location on all postings and others can help you with more relevant information.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=4973.0

That makes it much easier for all.

[cbc58]

We would be building in New Hampshire, but we currently live in NC.

I couldn't find reference to this in the forums through my search... though I am sure it's been asked before.  Tks.

[glenn kangiser]

We have discussed it quite a few times.  There are several searches here including a Google one.  Above are 3 search functions and all give  different results.



Two on the left - one on the right - make sure all dates and forums are searched on the advanced - the box above only searches the current forum I think.

[rwanders]

I'm nearing completion of a cabin on sonotube concrete piers in Alaska----to avoid freezing the water line from the well, I have a "bleed back" setup at the pressure tank---the only time the line will actually have water in it is when the pump is charging the tank. As soon as the well pump turns off, the line (buried 10' deep) drains back into the well casing. Drain lines are seldom a freezing problem since they will drain rapidly into the septic tank. Winter temperatures at my cabin site often drop to 30-35 below zero. Almost any good plumber can provide the setup for you.

[Redoverfarm]

There was that topic in a previous post. It has been a couple of months ago and I am not sure who brought it up.  Might take some looking.


I think this was one part of it.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=5169.msg65271#msg65271

Thos was another portion.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2525.msg54901#msg54901

I think it really boils down to whether you are going to live there year round or only during the summer months.  If year round then a insulated box maybe with a heat tape,  The old timers used a wooden box filled with saw dust.  But with the age of insulation that is probably long gone.

[glenn kangiser]

rwanders, that is a great way to do it, thanks. 

Pumps using an air charge to a tank use that valve also -  and drain right back into the well- a black rubber flapper. The valve is inside the well a few feet down-mounted in a tee.. 

A  Schrader with the spring cut off is used to let air into the line above ground - or could be in the house.  They also use an air bleed down valve to get the air out of the system when there is excess.