Providing a private home or summer cottage with water is one of the main aspects of a person’s comfortable life. A complete water supply and proper drainage allow you to solve a number of everyday issues, and also make it possible to use all the benefits of civilization: a washing machine, dishwasher, and various plumbing fixtures.
The most common method of water supply is water supply from a well. Let's consider the main stages of arranging the water supply at home and practical recommendations that ensure the reliability and stability of the water supply system.
A well on a personal plot - the advantages of autonomous water supply
To supply water to a private home, various sources of water intake can be used: centralized water supply, well or borehole.
Water supply to a private house from a well has some advantages:
The first step is to decide on the type of well: “sand” or artesian.
The “sandy” well has a depth of 40-50 meters - to the upper aquifers of the sandy horizon. If you get to the bed of an underground river, the level of drilling a well can be reduced to 15 meters.
Advantages of a sand well:
- the quality of water is better than in a well or centralized pipeline;
- speed of well development (2-3 days);
- You can drill a well without using special equipment.
Disadvantages of a “sandy” well:
- low productivity - about 1.5 m3/hour;
- service life – up to 10 years;
- water may contain impurities;
- needs periodic pumping.
❝A “sandy” well is suitable for seasonal water supply to a dacha; for a cottage or private house it is better to equip an artesian well❞
The depth of an artesian well can reach 200 meters - it affects the aquifer of calcareous rocks. The drilling of an artesian well must be approved, since the calcareous aquifer is considered a strategic reserve of the state.
Advantages of an artesian well:
- high productivity – about 10 m3/hour;
- unlimited supply of lime water;
- service life – about 50 years;
- high water quality;
- water is supplied under high pressure.
Disadvantages of an artesian well:
- the need to coordinate the project and obtain permits;
- high cost of drilling a well (the work must be performed by a specialized company).
Autonomous water supply scheme: main elements of the system
Whatever the source of autonomous water supply for a private home, it is necessary to create a diagram indicating all the main elements of the system and the materials used for laying the water supply.
The water supply scheme for a private house includes the following elements.
- the mud filter does not allow large particles to pass into the accumulator (if the water source is an artesian well, then such a filter may not be installed);
- filter with cleaning cartridge – mechanical cleaning of small impurities of clay, sand, rust and dirt.
The water supply system of a private house can be divided into three blocks:
- Water intake system.
- Yard highway.
- In-house plumbing.
Construction of a water intake system
drilling a well and installing a caisson
The process of drilling a water well is taking soil using a special drill. Depending on the type of well and its depth, drilling can be done independently, or you can use the services of drilling rigs. The drilling method (impact, rotary) will depend on the type of soil.
❝The area around the location of the proposed well should not have any underground paths or buildings. To construct a well, it is necessary to allocate an area of 4*6 m2 ❞
For manual drilling use:
Well drilling sequence:
The next step is to arrange the caisson. This room is necessary for protection from groundwater, freezing and for well maintenance. The caisson will connect the pipe outlet from the well and the water supply leading to the house.
You can purchase a ready-made caisson body, or you can make it yourself from concrete rings or bricks.
❝The caisson must be installed so that its bottom and pipeline are below the soil freezing level, and the roof of the casing rises above the surface by 30 cm❞
The procedure for installing the caisson:
choosing the optimal pump
To ensure water supply to consumers with the required pressure, it is necessary to install powerful water lifting equipment. This could be an automated pumping station for water supply to a private home or a deep-well pump.
The pumping station includes:
- water pump;
- hydraulic accumulator;
- pressure switch.
❝The pumping station is suitable for servicing a shallow well (up to 10 m), if the distance from the water intake point to the end user is no more than 10 meters❞
An autonomous station can be used to install a water supply system at a dacha from a well, and to provide water to a cottage or private home, it is better to install a deep-well pump - a borehole submersible rotary pump.
When choosing a submersible pump model, you need to consider:
- pump pressure - the pressure force applied to push water through;
- pump flow (performance).
It is necessary to determine the required power of a submersible pump to service a specific well. Let's look at the example of a private 2-story house for a family of 4 people. Let's summarize the following indicators:
- well depth (35 m);
- distance from the hydraulic accumulator to the well outlet in a ratio of 1:10 (0.8);
- distance from ground level to the highest water intake point (about 3.5 m - for a 2-story building);
- required pressure at the high water intake point (3);
- possible losses in the system (about 2).
Thus: Pump head = 35+0.8+2+3+2=44.3 m
The family's peak water consumption of 38 l/min (2.28 m3/h) determines the pump's performance.
installation of a deep-well pump
The pump must be lowered into the well very carefully so as not to damage the equipment. To do this, you can use a winch for drilling a well or cables.
Pump immersion sequence:
The next step after installing the pump is connecting the pipeline to the house and assembling an automatic water supply system.
Yard main: running water supply from a well
tools and materials
To conduct water supply on the site, you can use different types of pipes:
❝The diameter of the pipeline from the well must be 32 mm❞
Pipeline tools:
- To install steel or copper water supply:
- adjustable, gas and wrenches;
- fittings, fum tape.
sequence of laying and insulating water pipes
The pipeline can be laid in two ways:
- through a trench;
- on top of the ground.
In the first case, a trench is dug at a depth of 2 meters and a pipeline is laid. The pipe in the lifting areas must be insulated (especially near the foundation). This can be done using a self-regulating heating cable.
❝The foundation of the house to which the water supply is connected must be insulated to at least a depth of 1 meter❞
If the water supply is laid on top, then a heating cable (9 W/meter) must be connected to the pipe. In addition, the entire pipe is thoroughly insulated with heat-insulating material - a layer of insulation of at least 10 cm.
You can use energyflex and cotton wool. The joints between the insulation materials should be wrapped with reinforced tape - this will improve the sealing between the layers.
❝The pipe must be insulated along the entire length of the yard main: from the house to the well❞
The entire “pie” of the water supply is placed in a large corrugated or sewer pipe. Such measures will allow you to avoid freezing of the water supply and use the well in winter.
Along with the pipe, you can also lay the power cable for the pump. It is better to use a 4-core cable with a cross-section of 2.5.
After installing the pump and laying the water supply to the house, you need to assemble an automatic water supply system according to the diagram.
Plumbing in the house
The laying of water supply pipes in a private house can be carried out according to two schemes:
To install an indoor water supply system, polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes are used.
Recommendations from specialists for installing and configuring a water supply system
Normal operation of household appliances and plumbing is possible with an uninterrupted supply and sufficient water pressure. Here are a number of tips that will help you correctly assemble and set up a water supply system:
Before starting operation, the system must be checked for leaks and operability.
Many city residents enjoy spending time at their summer cottages, not only in the summer months, but also on winter weekends. To ensure that life in a country house does not differ in comfort from the city, it is necessary to equip your site with all possible communication systems. The most important thing for a dacha is an uninterrupted supply of water. After all, without this liquid it is impossible to grow plants, and living itself cannot be considered comfortable. This article will talk about how to organize water supply at your dacha with your own hands.
Selecting a water source
Before you start installing a water supply system, you should decide on the source of water. If the village has a central water supply, then the best option would be to connect to it. But not all dacha cooperatives have such communications. Therefore, it is worth considering other options, namely:
- well;
- open source;
- special tank;
- well.
Each of them has its own positive and negative sides. The most traditional way of obtaining water in rural areas can be considered a well. In essence, it is a simple deep hole, the bottom of which reaches the aquifer. To get water from a well, it is enough to lower a bucket there or equip a pumping station (hose and pump).
But this method has its drawbacks. Firstly, if there is no well at your summer cottage, then you need to dig it. Such work is quite labor-intensive and costly. Secondly, the quality of water from the well is not always at the desired level. Of course, using such a source for watering the garden is quite acceptable, but it is not entirely suitable for drinking (it is necessary to additionally use purification and filtration systems).
Another source of water can be an open reservoir. If your cottage is located on the banks of a river or lake, then simply lower the hose there and connect it to the pumping station. This source is great for watering, but it is not suitable for drinking and cooking. In addition, you must obtain permission to use water from a river or lake for irrigation.
You can place a tank on the site. It will collect water from the drainage system or septic tank. This source is perfect for watering the garden and garden, but not for drinking. In addition, the collected water may not always be enough even for technical needs, so it is necessary to transport it by truck.
Note! The most optimal and convenient way to provide water to your summer cottage and home is a well. This is the method most often found in country houses. The water from the well is quite clean, and if it is drilled correctly, there will be enough water for all needs.
Of course, this method is not without its drawbacks. The fact is that organizing water supply from a well requires quite large costs. Firstly, the help of specialist geologists is required. It is necessary to accurately determine the location and depth of the aquifer. Of course, costs can be reduced if your neighbors have already created such a system. You can simply find out all the parameters from them. Secondly, you are unlikely to be able to drill the well yourself. You won’t be able to do this without special equipment. In addition, the pipes for the well themselves can be quite expensive. But still, this method is considered the most reliable and popular.
Plumbing system for summer and winter
Many summer residents are familiar with such names as summer and winter water supply. Everyone knows very well that each season has its own water needs. In the summer, the need for liquid increases significantly, because plants need it.
The summer water supply can be made stationary or collapsible, it all depends on the wishes of the summer resident. In the first case, it is better to use metal-plastic or polypropylene pipes. With their help, a network of pipes is created at the dacha through which water flows to the right places. Such communications can be buried in shallow trenches so that the pipes do not interfere with movement around the site.
Note! If you don’t want to lay a large number of pipes, then you can create a collapsible summer water supply system. Ordinary hoses that are connected to water distribution points are perfect for these purposes. In this case, when the cold season sets in, the hoses are simply put away in the garage or shed.
If you live on a summer cottage in the winter (or visit your country house on weekends), then you need to equip a winter water supply. But such a system will require a lot of effort. First, you need to carefully consider the location of the pipes. It is worth considering the installation of access points to the water supply both in the house itself and on the site. Secondly, it is important to choose the right material and all equipment. In addition, you need to think about ways to insulate communications, otherwise the pipes will simply freeze.
Preparatory stage
If you decide to equip your country house or the entire site with a stationary water supply system, then the first thing you need to think about is the layout of communications. First, the owner must decide on the source of water. As noted above, a well can be considered the best option.
After this, all the necessary equipment is thought out. If you only use the water supply for watering, then you will only need a pump. If you will use the system for domestic needs, then it is necessary to provide a water filtration and purification system, as well as devices for automatically turning on and off the pumping station.
Next, a drawing of the location of all devices and pipe laying is drawn up. The location of water supply points to the premises and on the site itself is thought through. Also, at the stage of drawing up the diagram, you need to clearly define the materials used and work out a plan for the upcoming work.
If we talk about materials, then, as a rule, polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes are used for laying water pipes. Their cross-section will depend on the individual characteristics of the water supply. Here it is worth taking into account the pump power, water pressure, length of communications and other factors.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of pump. The choice will depend on the source of water and your financial capabilities. For example, if you take water from a well, then you will need a submersible pump. For a well, you need to choose a deep unit. The best, but also the most expensive option is the purchase of a pumping station. Such a unit is already equipped with all the necessary automation and water purification devices.
Work on arranging a water supply system at the dacha
When a diagram has been drawn up and all the necessary materials and devices have been prepared, you can begin the work itself on creating a water supply system. The first step is to mark the route of pipes and equipment installation locations.
Then trenches are dug for laying communications. It is important to maintain the depth correctly; it should be below the freezing level of the soil (if you are going to use the water supply in winter).
Don't forget about a place to lay the armored cable from which the pump will be powered. It can be laid in the same trench with pipes or made as a separate line. If the water source is located near the house, then it is better to make an overhead line.
Note! Connection of pumping equipment must be carried out using a separate machine, the power of which complies with the requirements of the equipment operating instructions.
Next, the pump is installed and connected. Everything will depend on the selected water source. In each case, the installation of pumping equipment, and, accordingly, the order of its connection, will be different.
After installing the pumping equipment, the water supply pipes are connected. Then the tightness and performance of the entire system is checked. After this, you can fill the trenches.
About insulation
If you are going to use the water supply system in winter, then you should think about insulating communications and all equipment. Without such additional protection, the water supply system will not function.
In order to receive water during the winter period, the following rules must be observed during installation:
- The depth of pipe laying should be below the soil freezing level. This indicator can be obtained from construction companies or obtained information from special reference books.
- Insulate the pipes. For these purposes, various materials can be used. The main thing is that they can easily withstand exposure to aggressive environments and do not rot. Quite often, mineral or glass wool is used as insulation. Recently, a new way to protect pipes from freezing has appeared - this is a polystyrene foam shell. This material fits the pipes tightly, is easy to install and is not subject to rotting. You can also use a heating cable, but this method will require additional operating costs.
- In addition to pipes, it is imperative to insulate the equipment used, as well as the water source. If a wooden well is used as such, then additional thermal insulation is not needed. But concrete structures must be insulated without fail. As a rule, a pit is dug around a water source to a depth below the freezing level of the soil. Then it is filled with thermal insulation material.
If the entire system is done correctly and insulation is done, then the water supply will work uninterruptedly. But, nevertheless, during abnormal cold weather it is better to take advice from specialists. During this period, it is better to leave the tap open. A small trickle of water will create movement in the pipes, which will prevent the water from freezing.
There is no need to convince anyone that running water in a dacha is necessary. This is already obvious. Therefore, we will immediately dwell in more detail on how to make a water supply system in a dacha with our own hands, taking into account its operation at different times of the year.
First of all, you need to choose a water source. The cheapest and easiest way to provide fresh water to your dacha is to build a well. It can have different depths. It all depends on the depth of groundwater. Basically, it does not exceed fifteen meters, and therefore the construction of a well costs minimally. However, such a structure provides small volumes of water (up to 200 liters per hour), and it also contains various impurities (nitrates, heavy metals, bacteria).
Wells and wells: what you need to know
Well design diagram
A more acceptable option is to build a sand well, the depth of which, depending on the aquifer, can be from 15 to 30 meters.
Such a structure can produce approximately 1.5 cubic meters of water per hour, which is enough for a small house.
What is better, a well or a borehole?
Drilling a sand well is carried out using the auger method - the rock is extracted to the surface. This usually takes from 3 to 5 days. However, the sandy aquifer contains a lot of clay and sand, and therefore filtration equipment will be needed in this case.
Depending on local conditions, the source of water may be:
- local water supply network;
- water from the river near the dacha;
- open reservoir of natural or artificial origin;
- well;
- well.
Let us describe each of these sources in more detail.
Water pipes
An operating stationary water supply is far from uncommon in already established dacha cooperatives and gardening partnerships. And new elite summer cottages can often receive water from the city or village water supply network. The owners of such dachas can only connect to the laid pipes and enjoy all the benefits of a civilized water supply.
A permanently operating water supply makes it possible to do without storage tanks or additional pumps and thereby save a lot on electricity. Unfortunately, even in our time, in areas remote from large cities, the presence of such a water supply system is an unfulfilled desire. Therefore, you have to independently arrange the summer water supply at your dacha.
Water supply from the river
In places where the river is not poisoned by wastewater, industrial and domestic discharges and the environmental situation is favorable - river water can be used not only for watering plants, but also for cooking. For dirty water, there are modern filters and installations that can purify it until it is drinkable.
Installation of water supply from a spring or reservoir
Spring water is a source of vital energy. Such a water supply for a dacha is a real treasure. With a sufficiently large flow of water, the spring can become the source of a small man-made lake. Such water is equivalent to river water and can be used to meet dacha needs.
Well
It’s easiest to make a water supply system at your dacha from a well with your own hands - this is the most common option for water intake in villages. As a rule, it is dug by hand to a relatively shallow depth. The well is fed by upper groundwater (overwater), so its water regime depends on the amount of precipitation.
In arid areas, the depth can reach more than one and a half tens of meters, but today, under such circumstances, it is more economically profitable to drill and equip a water intake well. Water from a well is not always suitable for drinking and then it should also be filtered, boiled, or disinfected by other methods.
In places remote from civilization, in ecologically safe areas, the water in wells is particularly clean and is comparable in quality to spring water. In such places, well water can be safely drunk and used in cooking without further purification.
Well
This is the only possible source of water supply in places with poor environmental conditions and in arid areas. The drilling rig is capable of reaching the deepest aquifer located in the artesian calcareous soil horizon. Often, artesian wells provide such water pressure that there is no need for an additional booster pump.
Types of summer water supply
Modern technologies provide a wide selection of materials and methods for creating summer plumbing. Water at the dacha can be supplied using permanent (stationary) communications or collapsible (temporary).
Portable (temporary) water supply system made of polyethylene pipes
It’s very easy to make a collapsible water supply system at your dacha with your own hands. It is quite capable of satisfying the needs of its owners. For this option, thick-walled PE (polyethylene) pipes are used, connected with a collet threaded fitting.
The main advantage of PE pipes is their low cost. The main disadvantage of such a system is the expensive connecting fitting. In addition, the tightness of the connections may be compromised by any movement of the pipes. Therefore, for the summer, polyethylene pipes are laid in shallow grooves, which can be covered with suitable boards. For installing water supply in a house, a PE pipe is inconvenient and is usually not used there.
Stationary water supply made of polypropylene pipes
Unlike collapsible, non-removable water supply is assembled from PP (polypropylene) pipes, which are tightly soldered into a single system using a special soldering tool. Polypropylene plastic pipes for water supply in the country are somewhat more expensive than polyethylene ones, but the cost of this fitting is a very small fraction of the total cost of creating a pipeline. Since the PP water supply system is a stationary system, to protect it from frost it is dug into the ground below the freezing level (at least 30 cm deep for a water supply system operated in winter in the Moscow region). If necessary, they are additionally insulated with polystyrene foam, cotton wool, polyprene, or any other suitable insulation material.
Important! If the water supply is not intended to be used in winter, the insulation will not protect the water in the pipes from freezing. The only protection in this case is to lay the pipes deep enough (see table).
Hose surface water supply for irrigation
When the owners come to the dacha quite rarely, and the summer water supply is used mainly for watering plants, its role can be played by a thick garden hose connected to any convenient storage container - a barrel, for example, or directly to a well pump. The hose on the reel is quickly rolled out for use, and just as easily retracted after finishing work.
Pump and filters for water supply in the country
When planning water supply at your dacha with your own hands, you should take into account that it is based on the use of external (vacuum) or submersible (vibration, rotary) pumps. The vacuum pump is located above ground level, which allows it to be installed directly in the house.
The power of the pump is determined by its performance. According to the laws of physics, any vacuum pump, regardless of the motor power, lifts water to a height of no more than 10 m. Therefore, this option is not applicable for deep wells and boreholes.
Submersible rotary and vibration pumps provide significantly higher water lifting heights.
Unlike rotary pumps, vibration pumps have a simple design, high maintainability and a much lower price. However, due to the transmission of vibration into the water, they contribute to the rapid siltation of the water source.
Multistage rotary turbopumps are the best in terms of performance and water lift. The dimensions of such mechanisms are associated with the diameter of the casing pipes of the water well, therefore they are most often used for individual water supply. Rotary pumps are more expensive than vibration pumps and consume more electricity.
Organizing water supply at your dacha with your own hands is only half the battle. Water can be used for irrigation, hand washing and technical use. But, for preparing drinks and food, the water needs to be further purified. During filtration, all mechanical impurities are removed from the water, its salt composition is brought into compliance with the requirements of the SES. If the water does not pass the test for bacteriological contents, such water can only be consumed after boiling.
Reducing water hardness has a beneficial effect on the performance of irrigation systems. When using soft water, nozzles and droppers do not become clogged with deposits and do not require cleaning for several years.
Preparing summer water supply for winter
Freezing of water during winter frosts can break even a metal pipe. Therefore, summer dacha water supply is usually dismantled, cleaned, washed, dried and stored in a barn or outbuilding. The exception is soldered water supply from polypropylene pipes laid below the freezing line of the surface.
If the terrain allows, you can organize the slope of all sections of the water supply system to one point to drain the water. When making a water supply system with your own hands, it is important to take into account that water intake from an open reservoir (pond, river, reservoir on the site, well) should be carried out below the maximum permissible ice thickness. That is
Pipes for a stationary water supply must be laid according to the scheme indicated below, and must be insulated from water with waterproof material. The leveling layer under the pipe must be at least 50 mm and carefully compacted to prevent subsidence. After laying the pipe, it is covered with sand or gravel 2-3 cm from the bottom of the trench, including the leveling layer. The total height of the trench (indicated H in the diagram) must be at least 0.5 meters.
If winter operation is not expected, submersible pumps are removed from the wells to the surface, dried, and cleaned of sand and deposits. Inspection, necessary maintenance and preservation with special lubricant are carried out. The preservation process is always described in detail in the operating instructions for the specific product.
Bottom line
Since the water supply conditions of different summer cottages are very different, there is no single universal recipe for creating a water supply system. But now you know how to make plumbing in your dacha with your own hands, and you can easily solve this issue in a way that is accessible to you.
A lot of water is consumed in a country house: for irrigation, household and household needs. A source with a good flow rate is required. Seasonal or permanent residence affects the water supply system at the dacha.
Do-it-yourself plumbing in the country.
Selecting a water intake source
In rural areas, drinking water can be obtained from a public main, a well or a borehole. The first option is extremely rarely available, so summer residents equip their own source.
water well
A well is the best option for supplying a country house with water. The construction is more expensive than a well, but the flow rate is much greater and the water quality is higher. They hire drillers with equipment or do it themselves using homemade devices.
The depth of the well is from 15 m, where it is possible to detect an aquifer. It is predominantly sandy, so the water may contain mechanical impurities, which are removed by simple filters. Nitrates and household waste do not penetrate to such depths, so the water quality is high. The well produces 1.5 m³/h of water – enough for a suburban area. It is more difficult to maintain than a well. Regular cleaning, rinsing, and preventative maintenance are required.
Water supply from a well
Most sites have a well. Its depth varies, depending on the location of groundwater. If it does not exceed 15 m, they dig a well: construction is cheaper than drilling a well. The flow rate does not exceed 200 liters; there is a risk that the water will be contaminated with nitrates, bacteria, and heavy metals. You will need to arrange high-quality filtration.
The well is easy to maintain and is maintained in good condition without significant costs. The main disadvantage is that the source cannot always provide the required volume of water. 200 l/h is an indicator of the best well; more often it turns out to be less. It is necessary to calculate how much water is needed and whether the source can provide such a volume.
Water supply from a well.
Winter or summer water supply
Plumbing in a dacha is not always used all year round. In some cases, it is needed only from spring to autumn, so a simplified summer version is arranged. There is no point in spending money on an expensive capital system when no one lives in the house in winter. The summer water supply will provide watering, a shower is connected to it, and it is used for other household purposes. It can be permanent or collapsible, but in both cases it is not used in winter.
Temporary water supply hoses are laid out on the ground and connected with adapters made of plastic or galvanized metal. Special latches are also used. A hose is put on them on one side, and on the other there is a connector with a spring. Connection and disconnection occurs instantly, the joint is reliable.
The hoses used are silicone or rubber, which have thick walls reinforced with nylon. Plastic is cheap, but short-lived under the sun. Rubber is more expensive, but will last at least 15 years. At the end of the season, the hoses are disconnected, twisted, pouring out the remaining water, and sent for winter storage.
Permanent summer water supply is laid in shallow trenches so as not to interfere and so that no one is tempted to steal. Only water taps lead to the surface. The difficulty of the construction is that it requires maintaining a constant slope. It goes from the connection point to the lowest point where the drain valve is installed. Water is drained through it before frost.
Arranging winter water supply is more difficult. They take into account the slope of the relief, soil freezing and other factors that are taken into account when constructing a capital water supply system. In this respect, the dacha option is no different from what is done in private houses with permanent residence.
Water pump.
The plumbing system includes individual elements:
- water pump;
- pipes with shut-off and control valves;
- pressure control and regulation devices - pressure gauge and relay;
- hydraulic storage tank;
- drain device.
The circuit may include a storage tank, filtration devices, and water heaters. In pumping stations, the main elements are not located separately, but are united by a common frame.
Pump selection
To select a pump for a water supply system, consider:
- depth of well, well;
- volume of fluid consumed;
- source flow rate;
- water pressure.
There are 2 types of pumps available: submersible and surface pumps. The latter are used only for drawing water from wells. They are installed outside and are capable of lifting water from a maximum depth of 8 m. This type of pump is not suitable for wells or deeper wells. A variation is stations that work on the same principle. These are compact units that include, in addition to a pump, a hydraulic accumulator, a pressure switch, and a pressure gauge. They are completely ready for use, configured - you just need to connect.
Submersible pumps - centrifugal or vibration - are lowered into wells with a depth of more than 8 m. They look like a long narrow cylinder. The working body of centrifugal pumps is blades, which, when rotating, suck in water and push it into the pipeline. This is a reliable, low noise and high performance design.
A vibration pump pumps liquid by constantly changing the position of the membrane. This is a part that is sensitive to the purity of water - sand impurities disable it. The damage can be fixed, but repairs are expensive.
What pipes are suitable for country water supply
Plastic water pipes.
Almost no one uses metal pipes now - they require welding, they rust quickly. Modern water pipes are made of plastic and are not susceptible to corrosion. There are several types of plastic pipes, the characteristics of which are determined by the properties of the material.
Made from low-density polyethylene (HDPE) – they are attractive due to their ease of assembly using special threaded fittings that are tightened by hand. The connections can withstand pressures of up to 4 atm - pumps do not create more at the dacha. Other positive qualities of HDPE pipes:
- serve for 50 years;
- are not afraid of rust, aggressive chemicals;
- can withstand temperatures down to -60°C.
The material is rare in terms of frost resistance. If the water inside freezes, the pipes will stretch but not burst. After defrosting, they return to their original shape. The surface inside is smooth, without the slightest roughness, which is why deposits do not accumulate - there is nothing for them to catch on.
When dismountable summer water supply is installed from HDPE pipes, use it with caution. If you step on such a pipe, which is lying on top of the ground, you can damage it.
They also make pipes for water supply from PVC - polyvinyl chloride. They are cheaper than HDPE, but some characteristics are lower: they break when frozen, and are less resistant to ultraviolet radiation. Other indicators are on par with PND.
Fittings are not used for installation. The surface is easily scratched, this breaks the tightness of the connection. They use special glue - a strong seam is obtained that can withstand 12 atm. Application for external water supply is undesirable due to insufficient strength. When laid in a trench, it is covered with a protective shell.
Polypropylene pipes can be used for country water supply. They cannot be dismounted on the surface - the connections are permanent, the pipes do not bend. For installation you must have a special soldering iron. Connecting elements are special fittings that are tightly soldered into pipes.
Water pipes made of polypropylene will cost more than those made of other materials. It's all about fittings, of which you need a lot - to connect pipes and make turns. An undeniable advantage is high reliability and resistance to mechanical damage.
Dismountable and shut-off valves
Valves made of cast iron, bronze or axle box are installed outdoors. There are faucets indoors that are not suitable for outdoor use. Open air ball valves are not recommended. They react sensitively to temperature fluctuations; the housing can collapse even during frost if there is little water left in it.
A water distribution unit is a complex set of valves that shut off branches in the system. In addition to them, it includes filtration devices, instruments for measuring, monitoring and regulating pressure.
System pressure monitoring
System pressure control.
For normal operation of the system, a constant pressure of 2.5-4.0 atm is maintained in it. Higher or lower is not desirable. These parameters are provided by a pressure switch and a hydraulic accumulator. They prevent water hammer, and if the upper threshold is exceeded, the pump is turned off.
A hydraulic accumulator is a cylindrical tank into which water is pumped. Pressure monitoring and control is carried out in conjunction with a relay. When the container is filled with water, the hydraulic tank membrane pushes the rod, which causes the relay contacts to open. When water flows, the pressure drops, the rod returns, the contacts close, and the pump turns on. A pressure gauge is used to visually monitor pressure and adjust the relay.
Water storage tank
Instead of a hydraulic accumulator, it is possible to install a water tank. Place it at the highest point in the house or on the street. Use barrels or other plastic containers. For summer water supply, there are no problems with installation: you can build a platform on poles and at the same time you will have a shower.
It is more difficult to prepare a water tank for winter water supply. It must be hidden indoors, for example in the attic. Reliable thermal insulation made of polystyrene foam or mineral wool is required. You need a good lid, otherwise small particles of insulation will get into the plumbing system.
Drain valve for system preservation
For repairs or when leaving for a long time, water is drained from the system. For this purpose, a drain valve is used, which is installed at the lowest point after the pump. When the pump is turned off and the valve is opened, the water flows back down the pipe. In deep wells and wells, a bypass is installed bypassing the main pipeline.
How to organize a sewer system for water disposal
Organize sewerage.
At the dacha it is necessary to construct an autonomous sewerage system. A cesspool does not solve the problem - it does not meet sanitary standards, and the relevant services may prohibit its use.
A septic tank is constructed in which the water is purified in several ways: mechanically and with anaerobic bacteria. Build at least 2 rezes
rvoira. In the first, the wastewater settles, the heavy fractions fall to the bottom. The slightly clarified liquid flows into a second container without a bottom, from where it is filtered into the soil.
This is the simplest septic tank design, although there are more complex 3 tanks. They build from well rings, bricks, tires, and adapt Eurocubes. You can buy factory-made septic tanks. The advantages over a cesspool are obvious: there are practically no odors, and you have to call a sewer truck less often.
Step-by-step installation guide
Self-construction of a water pipeline requires preparation.
Drawing up an action plan
The plan takes into account:
- depth of soil freezing;
- at what distance from the surface is groundwater;
- relief;
- underground communications;
- buildings on the site and its boundaries;
- points of consumption (home, bathhouse, summer shower, watering, etc.).
Draw a site plan and a profile image of the water pipeline to take into account its slope. The pipes are laid 20 cm below the soil freezing depth. Outline where and what fittings will be needed. According to the plan, the number of each type is counted and a list is made. They calculate the total length of the pipes and buy them with a margin of 10%.
Preparing the necessary tools
To install a major water supply, you will need tools, including special ones. You can buy a plumbing kit or separately:
- scissors for cutting plastic pipes;
- gas and adjustable wrench;
- sealant gun;
- knife, sandpaper;
- tape measure, pencil.
If so, you will need a welding machine for them. A shovel and crowbar are prepared for excavation work. If you plan to install the electrical part yourself, stock up on electrical tape, screwdrivers, a tester, and pliers.
Water supply installation
First, dig a trench of the required depth. Further actions are performed in the following sequence:
- Install the pump. Surface - next to the well in a caisson, pit or warm room. The submersible is lowered into the well.
- The water supply pipe is connected to the pump and laid in the trench. If the depth is insufficient, insulate or lay a heating cable. Lay the power cable.
- The second end is connected to a fitting with 5 outlets. A tank, a pressure switch, and a pressure gauge are mounted on its free outlets.
- Before entering the pipe into the house, a shut-off valve is installed so that it is possible to turn off the water if necessary.
- They test the system to make sure there are no leaks. They fill up the trench.
- Install internal wiring, connect plumbing fixtures
At the entrance of the water supply to the house, a filter is installed, at least a coarse filter. If the quality of the resulting water is poor, more subtle purification may be necessary.
Selecting a water heating device
Hot water for the bathroom and washing dishes is obtained from flow-through heaters or storage heaters (boilers). In terms of speed, performance, and ease of use, geysers take the lead. It makes sense to buy if the house is connected to natural gas. It is irrational to use a cylinder to heat water. The column is connected only by gas service specialists.
You can install a flow-through electric heater yourself, but in terms of heating speed it is inferior to a gas water heater. A boiler powered by electricity heats water even more slowly. But if you use it constantly, do not turn it off, but set the thermostat to the desired temperature, there will always be hot water in the house. The boiler is inexpensive and anyone can install it. The capacity varies and is selected depending on the needs of the family.
The video will help you understand the intricacies of laying a water supply system in your dacha.