Ditch Foam
Protect your infrastructure from Peace Region winters. Ditch foam insulation prevents culverts, water lines, and buried utilities from freezing damage.
Freeze Protection for Buried Infrastructure
In the Peace Region, frost can penetrate deep into the ground—sometimes over 2 meters. This creates serious problems for culverts, water lines, sewer pipes, and other buried infrastructure that can freeze and fail.
Ditch foam (spray-applied polyurethane foam) creates an insulating barrier that protects these critical systems. Applied directly over culverts and utilities, it prevents frost from reaching the depth needed to cause damage.
Applications
- Culvert Protection: Insulating culverts under roads and driveways to prevent ice blockage.
- Water Line Insulation: Protecting buried water services from freezing.
- Sewer Line Protection: Keeping sewer lines from frost damage.
- Shallow Utilities: Insulating utilities that can't be buried below frost line.
- Pump Houses: Protecting exposed piping and equipment.
- Tank Installations: Insulating cisterns and septic tank connections.
Why Ditch Foam Works
- Direct Application: Foam is sprayed directly onto surfaces, conforming to any shape.
- Continuous Coverage: No gaps or seams where cold can penetrate.
- Moisture Resistant: Closed-cell foam doesn't absorb water that would reduce its effectiveness.
- Durable: Withstands soil pressure and ground movement.
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper than re-burying infrastructure at greater depth.
The Process
Ditch foam installation typically involves:
- Excavating to expose the culvert or utility
- Cleaning and preparing the surface
- Applying spray foam to specified thickness
- Allowing foam to cure
- Backfilling with appropriate material
Common Situations
We commonly apply ditch foam when:
- A new driveway culvert is installed in a location prone to freezing
- Water lines must be run shallower than frost depth due to rock or other obstacles
- Existing culverts have frozen in previous winters
- Shallow utilities are being installed where deep burial isn't practical
If you're planning infrastructure that might be at risk, call us early—it's easier to apply ditch foam during initial installation than to dig up and retrofit later.