Do-it-yourself water supply and irrigation system in the country from plastic pipes - photo and step-by-step instructions
In a situation where a summer cottage serves as a resting place, one cannot do without organizing a reliable source of water supply. If you plan to grow crops in the country, you should take care of a regular water supply first.
The well can feed the water supply in the countryBased on specific conditions, the source of water can be called:
- well or well - require a submersible or other pump;
- water supply network - you need to cut the pipe of the irrigation and water supply system of the house into the central water supply;
- natural or artificial open reservoir - a pump and a filter are required according to the situation;
- an autonomous capacity as a storage device for a running, but not in constant mode, water supply system.
The volume of the container is sufficient, but an additional pump is required Possible options for arranging a water supply system
As a source of water on the site, it is possible to use a central water supply system or a pump. In this case, an uninterrupted supply of liquid will be provided by a storage tank or a hydraulic accumulator. In a situation with a tank, a reserve of moisture is maintained equal to the volume of the container, which can be of any size. It is placed at a height, due to which a slight pressure is created in the water supply system.
The use of a hydraulic accumulator is more convenient because it maintains a stable high pressure in the water supply system. By adding a pressure switch and a suitable pump to the accumulator, you can get an automatic pumping station. The hydroaccumulator is a cylinder-shaped container, divided into two volumes by a rubber membrane. In one half there is air under a pressure of about 2 atmospheres, in the other part water is supplied. The accumulator has a limited volume, and this is a serious disadvantage.
When the tap is opened, water comes out of the accumulator, which reduces the pressure in the system, the value of which is controlled by the relay. When the lower threshold is reached, the pump starts automatically, which pumps water until the upper pressure level is reached.
Accumulators come in different sizes Types of water pipes
The market offers a wide range of pipes, installation elements and valves for self-organization of the water supply system at the site. Its construction is a responsible event, the success of which is determined by the optimality of the selected elements.
One of the important tasks is the selection of suitable water pipes. A worthy alternative to a water supply made of steel is plastic pipes. Plastic does not corrode, works well at low temperatures, retains its functions for a long time. There are several types of plastic pipes, so you can choose the right option based on your specific situation.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes are notable for their low price. They are joined by cold welding. As a result of welding, the joint can withstand pressure up to 15 atmospheres, and the water supply system serves for more than 50 years. The temperature range of its operation is from -15 ºС to +45 ºС (maximum +65 ºС). Susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation is average, the pipeline becomes brittle in frost.
PVC pipes are suitable for water supply Advantages of PVC pipes:
- ease of installation;
- do not support combustion;
- smooth surface;
- oxidation stability;
- the possibility of bending.
Among the negative qualities of PVC plumbing, there is a loss of strength due to scratches. PVC pipes do not allow threaded connections. It is undesirable to use them for an open plumbing system. Plumbing should be placed in a trench or sewer.
Polypropylene pipes (PPR) are often used for plumbing in the country. Note that PPR pipes for cold water are marked with a blue stripe, for hot water - red. The connection of the water supply elements is carried out by means of special soldering irons that heat up the plastic at the ends of the pipes being welded, which quickly fasten and freeze upon contact.
Polypropylene pipes in summer water supply Polypropylene pipes do not bend, and additional corners and fittings are used when assembling the water supply. The result is a high reliability of the system, but with a large number of fittings, the cost of the entire plumbing increases.
Low pressure polyethylene pipes
Low-pressure polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are connected without glue and accessories. HDPE threaded water pipe fittings can be easily twisted by hand. Other advantages of such products include:
- operation in the mode up to -60 ºС is possible;
- resistance to chemical attack, decay;
- assembly by welding or using threaded fittings is possible;
- service over 50 years;
- use for summer and winter water supply;
- smooth inner surface, which eliminates pressure loss in the water supply and deposits on the walls;
- when water freezes in pipes, they increase their size, and when thawed, they return to their original state without destruction.
An insignificant drawback of such pipes for a country water supply is the impossibility of operation at a high temperature of the liquid. A more tangible inconvenience is that it is impossible to step on such a water supply system, unlike metal structures.
HDPE pipe as a line for drip irrigation We have already noted that HDPE pipes can be welded or joined using threaded fittings. Note that the threaded connection can withstand water pressure up to 4 atmospheres, which is more than enough in summer cottages.
When selecting HDPE pipes, you should purchase options with blue stripes (for transferring cold water). The version with yellow lines cannot be used in the garden, since they are designed for gaseous environments and contain toxic additives.
Based on the working pressure, HDPE pipes are divided into several categories:
- lungs - hold up to 2.5 atmospheres;
- medium-light - up to 4 atmospheres;
- medium - up to 8 atmospheres.
Street water supply at the site is collected from light and medium-light pipes (designated C and SL, respectively) with a diameter of 32 to 50 mm. It is necessary to decide what density of pipes you need, it can be of three options: 63, 80, 100 (the numbers indicate the density). The higher the density, the more significant the cost of the products.
Sometimes, despite the higher price, a high-density option should be chosen for a summer residence: the walls of such pipes are thinner, which ultimately reduces the weight of the structure. This can be a decisive factor when water is extracted from a well or borehole. The light weight makes it easy to fix the pipes.
Assembling the plumbing system
Before you start installing the water supply system in the country house with your own hands, it is important to determine which sides of the garden the wiring will go to, and draw a diagram of the location of the plastic pipeline. It is necessary to provide for the supply of water to the country house, as well as to the key places of the site, where regular watering is provided. A scaled plan will allow you to determine the location of the taps, the length of the irrigation system and the number of fittings.
Several points of water intake should be provided so as not to carry heavy hoses and ensure simultaneous watering in different places. It is necessary to provide a crane at the entrance to the house and in front of the main branch.
A drain valve is also required at the lowest point in the system. It will allow you to remove water from the pipes in winter and prevent it from freezing. If the water supply is installed from HDPE, a drain valve is not required. It should be borne in mind that the number of possible freezing and thawing cycles of water in the system is not infinite, and even a polyethylene pipe may eventually collapse.
The irrigation scheme will help to calculate the amount of materials. The procedure for preparing for the collection of the plumbing system is as follows:
- drawing up a pipe layout;
- calculation of the length of the system and the number of fittings;
- solution for the operating mode: winter or summer;
- preparation of ditches;
- procurement of components of the irrigation system from the selected material.
The winter and summer regimes of using the water supply differ in the depth of laying the polyethylene pipes. In the case when the dacha is visited all year round, it is advisable to choose an insulated water supply system or lay a standard one below the freezing zone. When installing irrigation pipes in the country, it is more profitable to use the summer type of water supply. If you have a greenhouse, you cannot do without a winter installation option. The insulated pipeline that goes to the greenhouse should be laid in deep ditches or pipe heating should be provided.
The issue of carrying water with our own hands to the house in the country is considered by us in a special article. Experts recommend using welded polypropylene pipes for this purpose, which are resistant to temperature fluctuations and depressurization. The place of their laying is chosen taking into account the location of the rooms and the ease of installation. Installation of filters is obligatory. An expansion tank is a good addition.
Diagram of a water supply system with drip irrigation The type of filters for a garden house is selected based on the composition of the water taken. When there is a lot of iron in it, a two-filter system is used. One of them is ion exchange, which removes iron. The other is coal, for proper mechanical cleaning. Before using the water for domestic purposes, it is important to take a sample for analysis. If the results are unsatisfactory, an additional filter is installed and the water must be boiled before use.
Do-it-yourself autonomous water supply at their summer cottage
An automatic pump irrigation system cannot operate without electricity. The supply of electricity to rural areas is possible intermittently, so you should consider a reserve stock so as not to be left without water in the absence of electricity. A tank or other container can be installed in the attic or a special area and pumped into it water from a well or reservoir.
The tank can also store rainwater, but in this case, a filtration system should be provided. First, the water must undergo coarse cleaning, and then several stages of fine cleaning. A coarse filter and a non-return valve should also be installed at the inlet of the suction line from the pump. The filter will prevent damage to equipment that is sensitive to dirty water. The valve will insure against reverse water discharge after the pump is turned off.
An autonomous tank at the dacha promotes high-quality watering of plants. In the warm season, its contents quickly warm up. Plants that are watered with warm water grow faster and produce a rich harvest. If it is necessary to create drip irrigation, a single line should be assembled. Tees should be installed on the central pipe and drip irrigation tapes should be connected.
