How do I thaw the ground?

The problem

Ice in the soil! Know Your Dirt! Ice Content of Frozen Soils

	Gravel 5 to 7 lbs in 1 cu. ft. Up to 1,001 Btu’s required to melt ice.
	Sand 14 to 18 lbs in 1 cu. ft. Up to 2,574 Btu’ required to melt ice.
	Clay 16 to 22 lbs in 1 cu. ft. Up to 3,146 Btu’s required to melt ice
	Silt 15 to 52 lbs in 1 cu. ft. Up to 7,436 Btu’s required to melt ice
	Melting ice requires 143 Btu's per pound!

Frost Facts

• Soil does not freeze
• Water in soil freezes
• Ice binds soil

Using a Ground Heater to thaw ground is greatly more efficient at thawing than using a heater tent. Ground Heater thaws the ground by conducting heat directly into the soil rather than into the air.

How to use the Ground Heater System

1. Prepare Site Scrape snow and ice from thaw site.
2. Position Heat Transfer Hose Space hose 2 feet on center over thaw site area. A closed system, only heat goes into ground.
3. Lay Poly Vapor Barrier Place minimum 3 mil poly vapor barrier to contain water vapor.
4. Prevents loss of heat
5. Keeps soil moist for better heat conduction
6. Keeps hoses and blankets clean
7. Place Insulation Blankets
8. Prevent heat loss and direct heat into ground. Requires 2 to 3 layers of high R value blankets.

Interested in purchasing or renting? Groundthaw.com is the source for Ground Heater Units!

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