ᐅ Protecting the Freshwater Supply Line on a Building Plot from Freezing
Created on: 25 Oct 2021 17:23
A
AlleFrei
Hello,
I’m looking for suggestions or advice regarding the following concern:
My driveway was very steep, and I wanted to level it. During the work, we found that the water pipe was positioned too high, and lowering it by another meter was not an option. 4000 euros. I decided to leave that part of the ground as it was so that the pipe would remain unchanged and partially leveled the driveway.
This resulted in a sort of land tongue. Unfortunately, when building a small stone wall, we didn’t pay close enough attention and excavated so much soil for the adjacent stone wall that now there are only 40cm (16 inches) of soil protecting the pipe from frost up to the wall. The depth below is already about 80cm (31 inches), but laterally it is not.
On top of this wall, a staircase was built. This removed even more soil, and I know that directly under the stone stairs there is only about 50cm (20 inches) of vertical soil mass and even less on the sides of the steps.
I believe the pipe under the stairs could freeze and burst if we have a week of continuous subzero temperatures, which is very likely to happen within the next 10 years here in the Lüneburg Heath region.
Since this damage would involve the water supplier’s pipe, the repair would cost at least 4000 euros, possibly more, including a penalty for indirectly damaging the pipe due to negligent construction work. I want to avoid this risk at all costs!
Should I move the wall 20cm (8 inches) back, fill the gap, cover the staircase with soil again, and build a new staircase? This would result in losing only three steps.
Or am I overreacting?
Thank you for your tips and experiences. I have also attached pictures. The red marking shows where the pipe lies in depth, with the staircase visible in the background.
Thanks again
I’m looking for suggestions or advice regarding the following concern:
My driveway was very steep, and I wanted to level it. During the work, we found that the water pipe was positioned too high, and lowering it by another meter was not an option. 4000 euros. I decided to leave that part of the ground as it was so that the pipe would remain unchanged and partially leveled the driveway.
This resulted in a sort of land tongue. Unfortunately, when building a small stone wall, we didn’t pay close enough attention and excavated so much soil for the adjacent stone wall that now there are only 40cm (16 inches) of soil protecting the pipe from frost up to the wall. The depth below is already about 80cm (31 inches), but laterally it is not.
On top of this wall, a staircase was built. This removed even more soil, and I know that directly under the stone stairs there is only about 50cm (20 inches) of vertical soil mass and even less on the sides of the steps.
I believe the pipe under the stairs could freeze and burst if we have a week of continuous subzero temperatures, which is very likely to happen within the next 10 years here in the Lüneburg Heath region.
Since this damage would involve the water supplier’s pipe, the repair would cost at least 4000 euros, possibly more, including a penalty for indirectly damaging the pipe due to negligent construction work. I want to avoid this risk at all costs!
Should I move the wall 20cm (8 inches) back, fill the gap, cover the staircase with soil again, and build a new staircase? This would result in losing only three steps.
Or am I overreacting?
Thank you for your tips and experiences. I have also attached pictures. The red marking shows where the pipe lies in depth, with the staircase visible in the background.
Thanks again
Hi, I have to agree with you here. Yes, I’m a computer scientist and had hoped my craftsman friend would pay attention to frost protection, but as you can see, that didn’t happen. I really don’t want to mess around with heating or insulation under the stairs. I’d rather have a new staircase and properly fill it in. Now I have to convince the rest of the family, none of whom are skilled in construction.
S
Smialbuddler1 Nov 2021 19:40Good decision. You will have some work now, but afterwards peace and good nights.
Happy New Year everyone,
Now to conclude this forum thread so future users facing a similar challenge can see what we did and why.
Conclusion:
The soil around the pipes was increased. Period.
The wall was moved by 20cm (8 inches).
Problematic stairs, 3 steps, were buried and covered.
A new staircase was built.
And now I can sleep peacefully without worrying about the pipes.
Yes, it cost me 400 euros more, but the pipe would have eventually burst within the next 15 years, so the renovation was the lesser evil. A photo will follow for comparison. Thanks to all of you.
Now to conclude this forum thread so future users facing a similar challenge can see what we did and why.
Conclusion:
The soil around the pipes was increased. Period.
The wall was moved by 20cm (8 inches).
Problematic stairs, 3 steps, were buried and covered.
A new staircase was built.
And now I can sleep peacefully without worrying about the pipes.
Yes, it cost me 400 euros more, but the pipe would have eventually burst within the next 15 years, so the renovation was the lesser evil. A photo will follow for comparison. Thanks to all of you.
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