How to choose and install a plastic caisson for a well. From concrete rings. Installation of a concrete caisson

The problem of supplying water to private houses located far from the centralized infrastructure was solved by equipping wells, installing pumping equipment and connecting pipes to the house. As a result, the owner of the house receives a full-fledged plumbing. A well, as a source of water, must be well protected from various negative impacts. Why is a special device installed in its mouth - a caisson.

The caisson is sealed cylindrical design, made of concrete, plastic, metal, approximately two meters deep. At the bottom of the cylinder is the base of the well. The caisson is certainly installed with a hatch for normal access to the well.

Main types, functions and purpose

To provide efficient work water supply using a well, it is necessary to provide for every little thing. For example, it is no secret that when the temperature drops to zero degrees, the water is covered with ice. Usually underground water horizons are below the soil freezing line, but the pump is on the surface and is strongly affected by negative temperatures. From a low temperature, the water in the pump freezes, pipes burst, pump equipment breaks, and the water supply system fails.

To prevent this, a caisson is installed. This is a large-sized insulated equipment with a thermally insulated cover. Inside the caisson is the following equipment:

Filters.
Pump.
Pressure gauge.
Stop valve.
expansion capacity.
Automation.

The caisson is not installed in only one case: when the well is located near a heated building. In this case there is free access to any nodes of the system, but this produces a high level of noise.

When arranging a well, the water pipe is located in a caisson at a depth of several meters. This depth water pipe creates reliable protection when the temperature drops. Additionally, you can install a pipe that is used to water the garden. The branch pipe is located on the very surface of the earth.

Main functions

The caisson has the following features:

Differences in the material of manufacture and shape

The shape of the device is very different: round, square, rectangular. Making caissons from iron concrete rings, metal or plastic.

Devices from concrete rings, bricks, concrete they are quite cheap and durable, but without expensive waterproofing they cannot protect the well from groundwater. Another thing is steel or plastic models.

Steel caisson - advantages and disadvantages

A steel model is a round or square container welded from sheets. As a rule, devices of this type are made with a narrow neck, the so-called manhole with a lid. They put a steel caisson on the water pipe, securely weld it to it and dig it in. As a result, there is only a hatch on the surface, protruding by 10–15 cm.

Steel models for corrosion protection are painted both outside and inside. In addition, the device is insulated with a coating or gluing material. It is covered with a steel caisson with a lid or hatch. The lids are attached to the hinges, they also have locking eyes.

To increase the tightness of the junction of the device and the water pipe, manufacturers weld a special sleeve into the equipment - part of a pipe with a larger cross section. Yes, when installing with only one weld. In order to provide the best protection against freezing, the steel caisson must have a height of at least 2 meters, and at the same time have insulation of the lid and working chamber. The cost of steel models depends on their height and width.

Advantages: easy access to the pump good protection from foreign penetration, strength, easy installation and low cost.

Flaws: the presence of welded joints, the likelihood of corrosion, the need for thermal insulation.

Plastic caissons - price, main advantages, difference from a steel caisson

It is plastic models that are today considered the most popular type of this equipment. They are made of plastic about two centimeters thick. Shape, color plastic device is the most varied. Price plastic models mainly depends on the volume.

Advantages:

Good waterproofing, as the container is completely sealed.
Light weight - installation can be done by hand, without the use of special equipment.
Pretty low cost.
Excellent thermal insulation: plastic caisson, unlike steel structure does not require additional thermal insulation. The temperature inside the tank is constantly around plus 5 degrees.
Durability: Unlike steel, plastic lasts much longer and does not corrode.

Experts indicate for plastic models only one drawback is the low rigidity, which sometimes leads to deformation of the tank. But solving this problem is very simple. When mounting a plastic tank, instead of backfilling the soil, a layer of concrete mortar is poured around the entire perimeter.

Do-it-yourself device and installation

It is quite possible to make a caisson with your own hands. It is desirable to choose metal as the material. For work you will need: a hacksaw for metal, a metal sheet 5 mm thick welding machine.

First, we make a cylinder with a diameter of a meter and a height of 2 meters. The next step is to weld the bottom to the cylinder. Do not forget that seams must be sealed. In the bottom part, you first need to make a hole for the sleeve. The diameter of the sleeve must be slightly larger than the diameter of the water pipe.

In the container we make a hole for the cable, under different kinds pipes, which implies pumping equipment to be installed.

The final stage is coloring. We paint the container inside, and outside we fix the bitumen.

Installation takes place in the following way:

Summarizing

Installing a caisson simultaneously solves many problems. The water supply at home immediately becomes safer, the owners do not have to worry about the fact that with the advent of frost they will be without water. In the country, this device can be used as a warehouse or cellar, equipping it with a reliable lock.

Now you can buy a durable ready-made plastic or metal caisson, or make it yourself. Choose only for you. The main thing is not to forget that without this equipment, the normal operation of the well is simply impossible.

If you have Vacation home, the organization of autonomous water supply is the most logical way out. No worries about the presence or absence of pressure in the central networks, problems with water quality, and most importantly, connection and payment costs. An artesian well will allow you not only to fill all household needs, but also to fully water the garden and vegetable garden without looking back at the meter. So that the system does not freeze, and you can use it even in the coldest months, you will need a caisson for the well. Plastic, metal or concrete - which one to choose? This will be discussed in our material.

Read in the article

What is it, a caisson, and why is it needed on the site?

The main threat to the smooth operation of the well is freezing. If the temperature drops below positive marks on the thermometer, the water freezes. This leads to its expansion and extremely backfire for pumping equipment and pipeline.

To save the equipment and your funds, you will need a caisson for the well. In a nutshell, what it is: it is a container made of a temperature-preserving material with a lid. It not only prevents the water in the well and pumping equipment from freezing, but also saves the residents of the house from the extraneous noise of working equipment.

How is the caisson

First of all, a caisson is not just a container. This is a design that includes a tank and equipment that provides water supply and filtration.

The caisson is located at a depth of 1.5÷2 meters and includes a casing pipe.

Advice! If you install an outgoing pipe in the tank, you can connect a hose for irrigation to it.

The caisson is made of a material that retains heat. It is clear that he should not warm, but his duty is to protect the water supply equipment from frozen ground. Polymeric materials cope well with this task, thick metal and concrete.

By what criteria are selected caissons for a well made of plastic

Plastic tanks are gaining popularity due to affordable price, long-term operation and external attractiveness. Such caissons weigh little, so lifting equipment is not required for their installation. This is not to say that these containers do not have drawbacks, and the main one is fragility.

What are the criteria for choosing a caisson:

Ease of maintenance of the tank. Infrequently, but from time to time it may be necessary to clean it and check the operation of the equipment or replace it. This means that the container must have convenient access for these manipulations.
Dimensions suitable to accommodate all equipment. In addition to the pump, a filtration system and heating can be located in the tank.
Tank tightness. Any leakage can lead to breakage and hopeless damage to expensive equipment. Concrete pools are considered the most unreliable in this regard.
Duration of operation. Water, a running pump, the impact of groundwater from the outside - all this aggressively affects the walls of the caisson. The stronger and more chemically resistant the material, the longer it will last.

How to choose the size of the caisson

The dimensions of the plastic tank must correspond to its contents. If you plan to install pipelines inside and bring them out, then containers with a height of one and a half meters and a diameter of 90 cm are enough.

But to install a filtering and automatic control system, and possibly a generator, much more space will be required. In this case, you should choose a caisson with a height of 2 meters and a diameter of 130 cm.

For your information! Many manufacturers offer the manufacture of a caisson for a well to order, according to your size. This is very convenient, because you can order a container not only of the required height and diameter, but also of a shape that is suitable specifically for your conditions.

What are plastic boxes made from?

Plastic is a durable and chemical resistant material. It is not subject to rotting and rust, does not germinate by fungus and bacteria. It is these material advantages that are so valued in water tanks. Another advantage of using plastic is that one-piece molds can be cast from it, without welds.

Caissons made of complex polymeric materials will last at least half a century and can be used in soil with any composition. Plastic tanks can be safely installed near utilities.

Tanks are made of "food" polyethylene of a high pressure. This polymer does not emit toxic substances, does not react to the aggressive effects of sewage and groundwater. In addition, PVC tanks can be found on sale, they are usually made of a sheet base and have welded seams. There are designs made of fiberglass and propylene. They are treated with an epoxy compound and are not inferior to polyethylene in strength and durability.

Advantages and disadvantages of plastic tanks

Like anyone building material, plastic has its pros and cons, which will affect the operation of the caisson:

pros	A comment
Ease of maintenance	Such tanks are easy to clean if necessary. Built-in ladders are installed in large containers.
Long period of operation	On average, plastic tanks can last 50 years. If the tank is correctly installed and not subjected to external mechanical stress, it will stand idle longer.
Excellent thermal insulation	Plastic can withstand severe temperature changes without problems. As a last resort, if you want to play it safe, wrap it with insulation during installation, this will be more than enough even for the northern regions.
Affordable price	The mass production of plastic products made them cheap. Currently, plastic caissons for wells are cheaper than metal and concrete ones.
tightness	The seamless design does not let anything through from the outside and does not leak. Such caissons do not need additional waterproofing.
Minuses
Strain susceptibility	Lightweight and resistant to external influences, the material also has flexibility, which is not always in its favor. The plastic tank can be deformed due to soil movements. Experts advise strengthening it concrete shell 15 centimeters thick.
Difficulties in repair	If for some reason the polyethylene caisson burst or got a hole, it is not easy to repair it. Special welding will be required, and it does not work in all cases, so such a tank should be handled with extreme care.

For your information! There are types of caissons in which manufacturers have provided "pockets" for pouring concrete. Such structures are installed in areas with a high occurrence of groundwater.

Plastic, metal or concrete? Why choose plastic

Let's try to pass comparative analysis three types of caissons for wells that you can install at your home.

Parameters for comparison	Plastic	Metal	Concrete

tightness	Full tightness due to the absence of seams, no need for waterproofing	Has welds. Seams, even protected by a coating, begin to leak over time. With seasonal soil movements, the seams can burst under the pressure of the soil.	It needs to be treated with waterproofing compounds, as it does not tolerate constant humidity.
Features of installing a caisson for a well	Lightweight tank does not require the use of special equipment for installation	Metal caissons for a well made of high-quality thick steel weigh a lot, so they will have to be mounted using a lifting mechanism.	If concrete rings are used for the device of the caisson, special equipment is indispensable. Filling the tank on the formwork can also be done manually.
Strength	Plastic caissons are resistant to chemical attack, but can be seriously damaged by careless installation, soil deformation or poor cleaning. To increase the strength of the structure, manufacturers equip the tanks with additional stiffeners.	Steel is a durable material that is not afraid of deforming soil movements. At the same time, it is quite flexible, and, unlike plastic, does not burst under stress. A steel caisson can be deformed, but at the same time remain airtight if the welds are of high quality.	Reinforced concrete structures are very durable. They are not afraid of any ground movements. High-quality concrete is not afraid of soil pressure and rough cleaning manipulations.
Resistant to corrosion and dirt	Polymeric materials are immune to rust, fungi, bacteria, chemical attack.	Steel caissons are most afraid of rust. To extend their service life, containers are treated with protective compounds. If necessary protective compound you can renovate the inside, but to paint the steel caisson on the outside, you have to remove it at the risk of deformation or damage, so no one does it.	On the concrete surface fungi germinate and bacteria multiply. Such a tank will need to be cleaned periodically. special formulations, but spores can penetrate so deeply that no amount of cleaning will help. Concrete absorbs moisture and it destroys it over time.
thermal insulation	Plastic has a low thermal conductivity, so there is no need to additionally insulate or heat the tanks. Only in areas north of St. Petersburg does it make sense to additionally insulate the container from the outside, especially the lid.	Metal containers need insulation. For this purpose, you can use any building insulation, which is installed during the installation of the structure.	Concrete does not hold heat well, so such tanks need to be insulated and heated in winter, even in the middle lane.
surfacing	A lightweight plastic container will float under the influence of groundwater if it is not fixed to a concrete base.	Heavy steel tanks generally do not float. However, they are also recommended to be fixed on a concrete base.	The heavy weight of the structure leaves it indifferent to such a factor and the concrete well does not need additional fixing.
Price	The price of a plastic caisson is on average 20 ÷ 35 thousand rubles, depending on the volume.	The price of a steel caisson depends on the thickness of the walls. Prices for the tank start from 40 thousand and above.	If you fill the pool with your own hands, then it will cost you inexpensively, about 10-15 thousand.

For your information! Sometimes a plastic caisson is used for a cellar. In a container placed outside, on the site or inside the house, in the basement, it is convenient to store vegetables and other products.

Popular manufacturers of plastic caissons

Among the manufacturers of plastic caissons for wells, the Onyx company is popular. The price for the products of this manufacturer is very affordable, and the quality has earned numerous positive reviews from buyers. Caissons "Onyx" are made of polypropylene, are lightweight and easy to install.

In addition to this manufacturer, users note the products of Triton, Alta and Rodlex. All tanks of these companies are equipped with convenient hatches, ladders and additional equipment, which greatly facilitates the operation of the caisson.

How to install a caisson for a well with your own hands

The price of installing a plastic caisson for a well

Self-installation of the tank is not an easy task. If there are no assistants, one cannot cope with such a thing alone. For professionals, such work will cost about 40 thousand, the same as the caisson itself. So you think about it, maybe you can still call old friends and deal with this matter under a liter of intoxicant? But, keep in mind that the work here is not for one, but for at least two days, so a liter is not enough.

Photo	Description of works
	Before buying a tank and starting work, carefully measure and calculate the dimensions. Check the groundwater level.
	Experts recommend buying a PFRK sealing sleeve. It is durable and has a good fit. Not all couplings that are attached to the caisson can boast of such data.
	Tanks are sold with a solid bottom. It needs to cut a hole in inner diameter couplings. The tightness of the structure depends on how correctly you made the calculations and selected the coupling.
	The hole is cut out with a regular one.
	Holes for fasteners are drilled around the hole in the marked places.
	Before installing the coupling, all surfaces are thoroughly degreased with a solvent.
	The coupling is treated with a sealant. For installation, a paronite gasket is used.
	It is more convenient to install the coupling with a partner. One works outside, the second - inside.
	While the sealant hardens, you can start digging a well under the caisson. The diameter of the well should be 20 centimeters larger than the diameter of the caisson.
	Outside, the coupling is coated with a waterproofing compound. It will keep metal elements from corrosion and ensure the tightness of the structure.
	The cover of the caisson should protrude 7–10 centimeters above the ground, and under it you will need to arrange a concrete pad about 2 cm thick. Keep this in mind when digging a pit.
	The bottom of the pit is reinforced with reinforcement. A concrete-sand mixture is poured on it. For the formation of the "sole" will take a day.
	Before planting the caisson, the casing pipe is cut to desired height and slightly process the edges so that they do not tear the sleeve.
	Professionals recommend pouring a concrete-sand mixture at the bottom of the caisson with a layer of about 5 ÷ 10 centimeters. It will strengthen the bottom and will not allow the caisson to float.
	After installation, pipes are brought to the caisson and connected using couplings. Further, the walls of the pit are poured with concrete in two stages: first to a height of 30 centimeters, then to the top. If you try to immediately fill the entire space with concrete, the container will float.

Already on initial stage construction country house the issue of water supply must be resolved self potting foundation water will be required in significant volumes. When there are no other sources, the decision is often made to drill a well. But this is far from the only problem to be solved. Great importance should be attached to the arrangement of the wellhead. Water distribution should be carried out at a level below the freezing depth of the soil in order to avoid freezing of the water pipe in the winter. For these purposes, various engineering solutions are used, but most often the choice is stopped on the use of a caisson for a well.

Why do we need caissons for a well, their types

In order for the water not to freeze, the place where the water intake pipe exits the casing should be below the GPG. To do this, they dig a pit above the well, the dimensions of which are sufficient to place a sealed tank in it - a caisson. The caisson serves as an auxiliary room for the well, ensuring the normal temperature of the mouth, its protection from precipitation and groundwater. The use of such a container is also convenient because, with appropriate dimensions, it allows you to place pumping equipment, a hydraulic tank, various filters, etc. in itself. - all this will not take up space in the house and create unnecessary noise there. As a raw material for the manufacture of factory caissons, polymer material(plastic) or steel. Independently, such a structure can be welded from metal or assembled from reinforced concrete rings. V Lately more and more developers prefer to install - there are a number of good reasons for that.

Caisson or downhole adapter - which is better?

Is it possible to construct a well without a caisson? Of course, if you bet on a downhole adapter. This simple product consists of two parts, one of which is mounted in the casing pipe at a level below the GIP, and the second is attached to the water intake pipe and then using a sliding joint in the " dovetail» is fastened to the first part of the adapter, but already inside the well. Those. The well adapter is a common plumbing adapter that is compact in size and easy to use. Compared to a massive caisson, it is favorably distinguished by the price (from 3 to 5 thousand rubles). At the same time, preventive inspection and repair of the well is difficult, and with this approach, all equipment servicing the well will have to be located inside the house. Therefore, we will leave the choice between the caisson and the downhole adapter to your discretion.

Making a caisson with your own hands

Without the involvement of heavy equipment, the caisson can be made with your own hands only from steel sheets. As a rule, steel with a thickness of 3-4 mm is used for this purpose. To begin with, they are determined with the dimensions of the caisson for the well, which largely depend on what equipment is planned to be placed in it. Convenient to use standard dimensions, which can be easily found on the website of companies involved in industrial production caissons. Welding should be carried out in a double seam, it is desirable that the worker has experience in carrying out such work. Subsequently, the outer part of the caisson is treated with bitumen or other liquid waterproofing material, and the inside of the tank is primed. Another option is the manufacture of concrete rings. Determined with the number of elements, the rings are installed in a pre-dug pit, provide for rigid mount and waterproofing of the structure. The bottom of such a caisson is concreted. It should be noted that these designs are the most problematic - they often leak when high level groundwater, it is difficult to avoid displacement of the rings relative to each other. If such a caisson leaks, then eliminating it will not be as easy as in the case of steel or plastic products.

Installation of a caisson for a well

Regardless of the type of product, their installation is carried out in approximately the same way: digging a pit, cutting a hole for a casing pipe, installing a caisson, adjusting the length of the casing pipe, waterproofing joints, laying pipes and placing equipment. But it is worth remembering that the technology may differ depending on the soil conditions at the site. So, before installing plastic containers, the pit can be reinforced with a reinforced concrete box, which will serve reliable protection from movements in the ground that can crush a plastic tank. often set "as is", without additional device boxes. In some cases, the space between the walls of the tank and the pit is filled with concrete. As ventilation, a system of two pipes is used to carry out natural circulation air, which is a necessary measure to prevent the formation of condensate.

Average market prices for caissons

The cost of the products we are considering is largely determined by the cost of the material from which they are made. Steel is more expensive than plastic, and therefore the prices for metal caissons for a well are higher than for plastic containers. Prices are indicated in a separate article (for information, follow the link).

Estimated prices for caissons for a well

Material	Overall dimensions, mm	Wall thickness, mm	approximate price
Plastic	950×2000	10	from 16 thousand rubles
	1240×2100	25	from 21 thousand rubles
	1500×2500	25	from 46 thousand rubles
	2000×2500	40	from 80 thousand rubles
Steel	1200×1200×2000	3	from 18 thousand rubles
		4	from 23 thousand rubles
		5	from 25 thousand rubles
		6	from 28 thousand rubles
		8	from 45 thousand rubles
		10	from 48 thousand rubles
	2000×1000	3	from 10 thousand rubles
		4	from 15 thousand rubles
		6	from 20 thousand rubles
		8	from 25 thousand rubles
	4000×1500×2400	3	from 75 thousand rubles
		4	from 80 thousand rubles
		5	from 90 thousand rubles
		6	from 95 thousand rubles
		8	from 155 thousand rubles
		10	from 170 thousand rubles

Which caisson is better for a well - choose from 4 options

Have you drilled a well in your area and do not know how to equip it? So, in such cases, either an adapter or a caisson for the well is installed. The adapter is not suitable for everyone, while the caisson is considered a capital structure and can be installed on any well. In total, there are 4 options for caissons and further, we will analyze each of them and try to find the best one.

Caisson or adapter

First, let's understand the terms.

Adapter- this is a special adapter that cuts into the casing pipe of the well and through it water pipe from submersible deep pump lowered into the well. The price there is small and the installation instructions are quite simple.

But the adapters are placed underground below the freezing point, in Russia it is from 1.5 m. Plus, every 2 years you need to dig it out to make prevention and change the gaskets. I'm not talking about the fact that the adapter is installed on a well, which is located no further than 5 m from the house.

A caisson is a completely different matter, such a tricky word is called a kind of tank, which is arranged underground, clearly above the well and is hermetically connected to the casing pipe. This tank is insulated and pumping equipment and control automation are installed in it. There are practically no restrictions on its installation.

Choosing a good caisson from 4 options

Similar designs are plastic, metal, concrete and brick. Conventionally, I would divide all the caissons into 2 directions - these are those that you can do with your own hands and purely factory models. The latter include only plastic products, we will start with them.

Option number 1: plastic caisson

Plastic tanks appeared on the market about 20 years ago. Now there are several varieties of these structures. More affordable models are made of PVC, polypropylene and polyethylene. Slightly higher price for fiberglass products. Some of the real benefits here are:

Absolutely all types of plastic are indifferent to corrosion, plus it does not matter for these tanks chemical composition groundwater, because they can withstand everything, up to aggressive acids and alkalis;
The weight of the tank is quite lifting for a couple of strong men, which means that you can easily install it yourself;
The price of plastic is relatively low, but there are cheaper options, I would call its cost - a confident middle;
If you do not take into account the time of digging the pit, then installation can be completed in 1-2 days;
The tanks are monolithic and if the joint with the casing is properly arranged, then nothing will happen to them even in the “swamp”;
The warranty on most plastic tanks starts at 50 years.

The only serious disadvantage of plastic is the likelihood of deformation. There is nothing to be afraid of on dry soils, but on wet soils, in order to protect yourself from the forces of frost heaving, you will have to pour a “shirt” of reinforced concrete thickness from 100 mm.

Manufacturers' assurances that a plastic tank does not need insulation is not entirely true. You can do without insulation only in relatively warm regions, from middle lane and further north, it is desirable to insulate all caissons.

Option number 2: steel

The metal tank is good because you can make it yourself. Naturally, for this you must have a welding machine and a welder skill. For those who do not have such a set, there are factory models. Their quality and, accordingly, the price mainly depend on the presence of an anti-corrosion coating and the thickness of the metal.

To be honest, a thin-walled inexpensive tank can only be placed on dry soils. For heaving soils, the thickness of the metal should be at least 5–7 mm, otherwise it will simply be crushed. But, as in the case of plastic, there is always the opportunity to pour a concrete shirt.

It is advisable to insulate all steel tanks from the outside, otherwise you will get constant condensate on inner walls caisson.

Also, do not forget that the steel caisson is a heavy thing and it is almost impossible to install it manually, so you will have to pay for the crane. For those who are thinking about buying a plastic or steel caisson, below I have placed a table with supporting characteristics.

The prices in the article are current in autumn 2017.

Option number 3: concrete

Here we have 2 options:

Pure concrete tank- poured in place of reinforced concrete;
Caisson from concrete rings- it is equipped with the help of factory reinforced concrete well rings.

The first option is considered the cheapest in terms of cost. If you have a concrete mixer, you need to buy cement, sand, crushed stone and rebar. Then you dig a pit, reinforce it, construct a formwork and fill it with mortar. The video in this article shows the process step by step.

It is much easier to build a structure from rings. Here you can go two ways:

First, dig a pit around the casing pipe, then pour a concrete pad from below and, by calling a crane, install the concrete tank body;

22222If there is a problem with the crane, then cut the casing pipe above the ground, then push the concrete ring over it and select the soil from the inside. When the ring sinks to the ground level, push the next one and continue to dig. For a caisson, 2 - 3 rings are enough.

It is advisable to insulate a brick caisson with foam plastic 50 mm thick.

First, a pit is dug;
Further, at the bottom of the pit, a sand and gravel cushion with a thickness of about 100 mm is filled up and rammed;
A reinforcing mesh is laid on top of the pillow and concrete with a thickness of 50 mm or more is poured;
After a week, the concrete will get a little stronger and you can lay out the walls;
For the vault, you will have to make a formwork, reinforce it and pour a concrete slab.

Conclusion

Each of the technologies described above is good in its own way, you need to choose depending on specific conditions and, of course, on material possibilities. If you have any questions, write in the comments, I will try to help.

November 17, 2017

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!