When cold weather hits, pipes and the well pump can freeze, causing them to crack and leak. Not only will this require well pump repair, but it can also cause some nasty effects on the water pressure inside your home, such as no water pressure at all.
If you use well water to supply your home with necessary clean water, you cannot avoid winterizing the well pump and equipment. Even if your area is not prone to harsh winters, winterizing your well pump ensures that everything will flow as normal.
Luckily, winterizing your well pump is actually pretty easy. By only getting a few basic supplies, you can do this job yourself, and rest easy knowing that your well will continue to work despite the weather.
Winterize Your Well Pump in 3 Easy Steps
1. Insulate Pipes
Begin by making sure all exposed piping in crawlspaces, well pits and any outdoor piping is insulated. If you only winterize around the well, the water still may not reach your home if the pipes are not winterized as well. Insulation helps to keep the water within the pipes warm so that they don’t freeze.
Protect your Manassas pipes with 6 foot closed cell foam tubes. Select a foam size that best fits your pipe. Order enough foam to cover all of the outdoor pipes. Simply slip the foam over the pipe through this slit on one side of the foam. Every 6 inches, secure the foam down with zip ties.
2. Install Heat Strips
If you live in an area with extreme winters, you may frequently find yourself with no water from well during the winter months. Install heat strips to piping and water system components to prevent them from freezing. Keep the heat strip directly on your pipes and equipment. Use pipe wrap tape or zip ties to keep the heat strips in place.
If you do not have severe winters, then insulation should be enough. You can skip this step if that’s the case for you. This will likely be the case for most Leesburg and Fairfax citizens.
3. Cover Up the Well and Backflow Preventer
For those who have above ground water connections at the well head, make sure there is fresh insulation in the pit and to do a visual check of the concrete casing to ensure there are no cracks to allow drafts.
Additionally, insulate the back flow preventer of your Fairfax home. These parts are especially prone to freezing and they may cost a lot to repair. Simply add an insulated cover to your backflow preventer to keep it from freezing during harsh winters.
Get Help
Even though you can insulate your well pump system yourself, you may want to contact a well pump emergency or well pump repair service. With the help of a professional, you can ensure that your well pump withstands the entire winter.
If you notice that your well pump isn’t working quite right this winter, contact Monticello Pump Services for free troubleshooting.
