How Deep
Hi Madspeed,
We installed an uninsulated 3/4 inch underground water line from the house to the barn, a total of 200 feet, buried 36 inches in 1998 here in WPA. It has never frozen and we have never had a problem, so when we installed the insulated pex piping for the OWB, we only went down to 24 inches to top of pipe/conduit. The electrical conduit was placed just above the water pipe, about a 2-4 inches. It is only 65 feet from the house. There is no temperature drop. We also placed masonry sand around the pipe before backfilling. Someone on here on another thread said that should also help keep the pipe warm. Did the same with the barn water line. I have also read about putting rigid insulation above the pipe; not sure if that would help. Also, the comment about ground water (and drainage water) is correct. Try to keep the pipe in dry soil. Good luck digging!