4 Tips to Protect Your Water Pump System from Freezing During Winter

4 Tips to Protect Your Water Pump System from Freezing During Winter

With temperatures dropping and the colder months coming, it's time to start thinking about how you can protect your Water Pump System from the perils of Jack Frost. Water pipes, water pumps, well pumps, and water treatment systems are exposed to moisture during the working process; however, when combined with harsh winter conditions, this can become problematic.

The issues start when the Water Pump System gets exposed to freezing temperatures without any protection or preparation. This makes the water in the pump and pipes freeze and expand, which can burst the pipes and crack the pump. That is how winter wonderland can turn into a disaster, resulting in equipment failure, improper functioning of a system and expensive repairs.

We know that a lot of our customers are starting to prepare for the winter season, and as you probably know, the best way to deal with pump issues is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Therefore, we decided to ask our Pump Experts to share with us a few tips on how you can “winterize” your water pump and protect your pumping system from freezing. And here is their advice…

How to keep your water pump from freezing?

 

1. Insulation is key.

Insulating your pump gives protection against the cold to stop your pump from freezing. A simple way of insulation is to wrap the pump in bubble wrap (taking extra care not to restrict the airflow around the motor). For insulating pipes that run outdoors or indoors, you can apply the insulation on the walls or directly to the pipes. Another way to directly insulate the pipes is to use heating cables, as their temperature can automatically adjust to what is required.

 

2. Keep the pump switched on.

As water pumps and pipes may have water sitting in them for a longer period that can freeze if temperatures fall very low, make sure that you keep the pump switched on. In water supply applications, allow the pump to keep running from time to time by leaving a tap partially open. This will help to protect against freezing, but you must be careful not to run your pump against a closed head as this will cause it to overheat and burn out.

 

3. Drain the system.

If you decide to shut down your water pump and system, ensure that it is water free, so it doesn't freeze and cause damage. The first step is to find the drain plug at the lowest point and ensure that the water drains from the pump. Remember that any pipework or control equipment will need to be drained too.

 

4. Heating.

If temperatures fall significantly and your pump isn't insulated. Have a small heater set up close by, which will protect the pump against freezing. Keep in mind that the cost of replacing your entire pumping system could considerably outweigh the additional energy costs used for heating the pump. However, you will need to be careful when using a heater near the pump, pipes or the water system, as if they are made of flammable materials, they can melt and cause further damage.

Pro Tips for protecting your well water pump from freezing

For water wells in particular, it is important to remember that frozen pipes or control systems can damage a submersible pump if it does not switch off. There are a few different steps you can take to protect your pipes from freezing this winter:

• Insulate - Lag the pipes and control equipment.
• Install heating – Sometimes, insulation is not enough; in this case, you will need to install heating.
• Cover up - Make sure that the well is covered up securely.
• Drain your well pump - If you cannot protect the system, drain it down.

Don't get caught out, act now to eliminate any unnecessary costs and problems during the winter months. Ensure that you follow these steps to prevent your water pump from freezing. In case you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our Pump Experts are always ready to answer all your questions.