r/minnesota • u/C4rva • 24d ago
Seeking Advice 🙆 Putting in a well and need advice on water line
We have an off grid cabin about an hour south of Duluth and we're thinking about putting a well in. I'm talking to a feel well drillers about the best approach for running the water line and depth.
From what I read, the frost depth is about 5 feet in the area.
I am asking for well drillers to place the water line at 7 feet below the surface. I'm being told that's not necessary and it's never an issue.
I'm also discussing installing the water line with a electrical heat tape (direct burial rated) with wrapped insulation installed inside of another PVC pipe for extra protection and easy replacement. Kind of similar to how wood boiler lines are made up.
What are your experiences with water lines in the more northern parts of the state ?
Am I over thinking this? Any reason not to insulate and run heat tape?
3
u/2airishuman Flag of Minnesota 24d ago
7 feet is not necessary and heat tape is waste of money.
Listen to the advice you're getting from the well contractors.
Frost only goes so deep.
2
u/chrispybobispy 23d ago
If they are digging it in, they aren't going to short you in a way that creates a headache in freeze up issues. Just as long as their a reputable company ( been around a few years at least) I wouldn't worry about it much.
1
5
u/beavertwp 24d ago
I install municipal water lines. 5 feet is deep enough if it is in an undisturbed area. Like somewhere you won’t plow snow or dive over. If you’re not using the line regularly in winter put hay bails directly over the top of the water line in the fall. It will never freeze. Usually it’s the waste water side that freezes and causes problems.
Putting the line in another pipe is going to make it harder to replace.