Building a shower at your dacha isn't difficult. However, all your efforts may be in vain if you don't prepare the well and pipes for the cold. A shower requires constant maintenance, even in summer. If it's not properly ventilated, mold and mildew will form. A room that's not winterized is even more susceptible to moisture damage; for example, untreated wood can rot.
Preparing engineering systems for cold weather
During the winter months, water remaining in pipes after the summer can cause serious damage to the sewer system. When it freezes, it expands, distorting the entire structure. No matter what material the pipes are made of, they will burst and separate at the bends. Therefore, before the first frost sets in, it's important to preserve your plumbing systems. To do this, empty all pipes and containers of water. If you use barrels in the shower, cover them with a water-repellent material and turn them upside down. If you have a shed or other storage space, you can store the containers there for the winter.
Modern showers are often equipped with a pump fed by water from a well. In this case, the power supply should be turned off beforehand and the tank disconnected. However, even removing moisture from the pipes may not prevent damage. The entire system must be insulated.
To prevent elements located close to the soil surface from cracking in freezing temperatures, they should be placed in wooden boxes. The walls of these boxes should not come into contact with the pipes. The empty space can be filled with soft material, such as dry leaves or fiberglass. Straw is also suitable. It is quite soft and retains heat well. Cotton fabrics, wood shavings, and paper are less suitable.
You may be interested in:Insulation ensures that pipes maintain a temperature at which any material will remain intact. Another important function is to absorb condensation, which inevitably forms during water circulation. Mineral wool, polyurethane foam, and polyethylene foam are suitable for insulating the structure. The average thickness of the insulation layer is 13-20 mm. After draining the pipes, the entire system should be shut off before the summer.
Preparation of wells and boreholes
To ensure your shower stays functional for a long time, it needs to be properly maintained. Simply draining water from pipes, wells, and boreholes isn't enough. Without proper sanitization, bacteria will accumulate in the containers. Moisture creates an ideal environment for them to thrive. Therefore, it's important to clean the well using specialized products. Suitable products include:
- bleach - it is mixed in water (10 g per 1 l) and poured into the well;
- “Whiteness” - 1 liter of the composition covers 1 ring;
- potassium permanganate - a gentle solution is applied for an hour, after which it is washed off with clean water;
- chemical tablets - "Septolite", "Aquatabs", "Ecobreeze" are diluted 4 pieces per 1 bucket.
It's not necessary to completely drain wells and boreholes if they're located below the frost line. Otherwise, pumping out the water is unavoidable. This should be done shortly before the onset of cold weather. Pumping too early will be useless, as the well will fill up again. The well should be insulated. The same materials used for insulating pipes can be used. The reinforcement must be strong enough to prevent frozen water from displacing the rings, compromising the integrity of the well.
You may be interested in:If the pipes are frozen
Sometimes cold weather arrives unexpectedly, and summer residents don't have time to carry out preservation measures. In this case, the pipes need to be defrosted as quickly as possible before they burst due to the expansion of the water, and then drained. To thaw frozen areas, use rags soaked in hot water. The faucet should be open. The defrosted water will drain freely; otherwise, it will create increased pressure, making the pipes more likely to burst.
Wrap the containers in warm cloths until they are completely empty. If you don't regularly replace the cloths, they will freeze, and the defrosting process will be significantly delayed. Meltwater can be poured under plants; it will quickly freeze and prevent the soil from freezing too deeply, damaging the roots. Warming the pipes should begin closest to the faucet, gradually moving toward the well. If they have already burst, you can seal the crack with ordinary tape while pumping out the water.
You may be interested in:Proper preparation for winter will ensure your shower lasts a long time. For example, draining the entire plumbing system in a timely manner prevents cracks and breaks. Maintaining your plumbing system yourself is not difficult. Simply sanitize it, drain any lingering moisture, and insulate any pipes located too close to the surface. All the necessary materials can be purchased at any hardware store.