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Horizontal trench filling

Last Post 13 Nov 2008 09:46 AM by joe.ami. 2 Replies.

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fred peck

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Posts:7

12 Nov 2008 10:59 AM
So the trenches are dug and the pipe is being laid. The guys are using duct tape to space the slinkys, which I thought was a pretty generic/unscientific way to do it. When we started the backfilling, the dirt was hammering the slinky too hard and we decided to go with sand to cover the entire slinky. Is this going to affect the efficiency of the system? Should I be using crusher rock instead? Please advise, thank you.

Green_Giant User is Offline

New Member

Posts:8

12 Nov 2008 03:19 PM
Crusher rock is not neccesary for this installation. If the pipe is laid in small trenches, it is best to start filing the hole with shovel to cover up the pip[e before using a machine. If it is a large pit, a backhoe could still work to backfill the hole. The proper way to backfill is to start where there is no dirt, and make it slant into the area where the pipe is laid. This method allows the dirt to fall easier onto the piping instead of straight down. Additionally, dirt on the bottom of the pit is not a bad thing, just be sure there are no large rocks or sharp rocks as you do not want to puncture the tubing from dropping rocks on it.

joe.ami

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13 Nov 2008 09:46 AM
Good operators are fun to watch, but excavation itself is just dirt work and not pretty. You just discovered the unsexy part of geo. Zip ties and tape among other things are commonplace. Crusher dust is required of DX loops but HDPE transfers heat more slowly and doesn't need it. Nor does the care of back fill need to be the same for plastic as it would be for copper. Just make sure rocks are out and that you do a good pressure test. You can fill with pressure before the backfill if you like so that a hiss would appraise you immediately to leaks. Good luck, Joe

Joe Hardin www.amicontracting.com We Dig Comfort! www.doityourselfgeothermal.com Dig Your Own Comfort!