Using above ground blue line pipe in cold climate

4 posts
Thu, 01/11/2018 - 00:29 #1

Member for

7 years 2 months
greggy
Last seen: 03/09/2019 - 21:43
Joined: 10/07/2017 - 02:38

Using above ground blue line pipe in cold climate

Hi,

 

I am in an elevated postion in cold climate that if often below zero in winter, cant seem to see the anywhere, but can blue line ag pipe survive if above ground, or will it freeze and split.

 

It has been run around one paddock fence line, but have no idea of history of use, nor if it functions as it is not connected to a pump of mine and happens to go to a neighbors.

 

I could always seup so the pipes would empty and just use it to fill troughs as block is only small, but is big enough that I do not want to truck water to troughs, existing ones were cut off by someone as one section of gal was no good underground, so it was all cut off. Ground is rocky, so not wanting to trench.

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Thu, 01/11/2018 - 08:25 #2
rolly @ fi
Last seen: 06/13/2019 - 10:17
Joined: 09/09/2011 - 11:03

Hi Greggyblue strip polly pipe is often referred to as high pressure polly. It has a thicker sidewall (approx 3 mm) than standard green strip agricultural pipe. Blue stripe is used where higher pressures are need to push water either long distances or under higher pressure. It is also used in harder, more rocky terrain as it is more resistant to rocks putting holes in it. On top of the ground, it will be a little less prone to freezing (dependant on weather conditions) but at times it still will. If you wish it not to freeze you will have to bury it underground at least 300 mm. You mentioned that the ground is stoney, a very good idea it you do bury it is to line you trench with sand or crusher dust. This is called sand bedding. Both materials are cheap and will prevent stone from penetrating the polly pipe and if done properly will last a life time. I hope this helps Rolly

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Thu, 01/11/2018 - 14:16 #3
greggy
Last seen: 03/09/2019 - 21:43
Joined: 10/07/2017 - 02:38

I do not need constant flowing water, I am only trying to work out if pipes have water and they freeze, will this split/ruin the pipe , or can it cope with this ?

 

in reality, once it is cold, the pasture and rain provides the water needs, and am on a grade where I would have pipe, so could easily have a tap at low point to release fluid from pipes, but if I forget......

 

Or I could just empty and disconnect in the cold months. But sometimes you will go below zero outside of winter too.

 

Putting them under ground is not financially viable I would say, at th emoment all animals use one main watering point and I do not even fill the other troughs, but I want to do a handful or so of internal paddocks, and want water to be in each one without me having to do much.

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Fri, 01/12/2018 - 14:15 #4
rolly @ fi
Last seen: 06/13/2019 - 10:17
Joined: 09/09/2011 - 11:03
Hi greggy, If it doesn't need to be plumbed up all the time I would empty the pipe when you are finished using it in the colder months. It won't split pipe straight away on most occasions, including snowy weather in my experience but it will eventually fatigue the pipe which with the addition of solar degradation may Geventually cause the pipe to fail. Regards Rolly
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