How To Protect Water Wells From Freezing Weather
While the weather doesn’t get too cold in Northeast Florida, water wells can freeze during winter. The most obvious sign that a well pipe has frozen is no water. While this is usually caused by a burned out well pump, frozen pipes could be the problem if it happens during the winter.
This is the time of year to wrap and protect water well systems along with other plumbing parts that could freeze. If you aren’t sure how to prevent your water well from freezing, our team of professionals can tell you how.
Inspecting The Well Plumbing & Pump
Get to know your well water system. Open up that box, go inside the pump house or lift up the faux rock that houses the well pump. Some well pumps are more exposed to the weather while others are better protected.
You will want to take note of the information on the tag located on the well pipe. This is a metal plate that lists the depth of the well, the water level, and more. You need that information if you have problems with the well.
Check the pipes and connections to the well for dripping. Remember that if you find a wet pipe or wet spot on the ground, the actual location of the leak could be further up the line. A leak will drip down the line of a pipe as it flows downhill. If there’s a leak, make sure to have it repaired because the pipe will freeze easier.
Make sure that the housing of the well pump system is sealed at the ground level. Otherwise, air will get in and the system will be exposed to freezing weather.
Every plumbing system, whether on a water well or not, needs to be professionally maintained and inspected. Call 904-203-7468 for a professional well pump inspection before winter hits us full-swing.
Wrapping & Protecting The Well Plumbing
There are several steps to protect the well plumbing system. Wrap the pipes with insulation inside the well house and outside wherever it is exposed. People use different things to wrap the pipes, but the foam insulation that is made for the job is the best to use.
If you don’t have a well cover, now is the time to get one. There are insulated well covers that you can get to house the well system. You can build one from brick or wood and even insulate between two sizes of trashcans and put it over the pump system. Be sure to bury the lip with soil at ground level.
Hang a heat lamp inside the well house if there’s room. This will help to protect the plumbing from freezing.
Do Drip Your Faucets
In spite of the wrapping and protecting you did for the well system, you do still need to drip the faucets. Keep the water flowing through the pipes from the well to prevent freezing. This is especially important at night when temperatures drop. The water will be about 58 degrees as it comes out of the faucet, so that will help to keep the pipes from freezing.
Protect your water well system from the harsh weather so you can count on reliable fresh water. If you do wind up having a problem, remember that we are on call 24/7 to help with well repair service. Advanced Pump Service has been the leading well repair specialists for 30 years in Northeast Florida.