Tips on Preventing Your Well from Freezing

September 23, 2020

Winter weather will be here before we know it, and that means it’s time to start preparing your home for the freezing temperatures. One of the biggest worries homeowners often have during the winter months is having their well freeze and losing access to running water in Columbia, TN. With this in mind, one of the top questions we get is, “Can you prevent your well from freezing?” Luckily, you can if you follow the tips below:

  • Insulate the pipes: Since the well pump is located below ground, it’s typically safe from freezing temperatures. Your pipes, however, are not. To protect them from the cold, wrap them with pipe insulation or even old sweatshirts and towels. Whatever material you choose, be sure it’s thick and surrounds the pipe on all sides. Use heat tape to secure the insulating material to the pipe.
  • Cover the well: You’ll also want to protect the well itself from the cold. Manufacturers make pre-constructed fiberglass covers that can protect from the elements and are also aesthetically pleasing. However, if you’re simply looking to prevent your well from freezing in Columbia, TN, covering it with a trash can might suffice.
  • Install a heat lamp: Setting up a heat lamp inside the well house is the best way to keep everything nice and toasty throughout the winter. Unless there’s a particularly cold day, you probably don’t need to keep the heat lamp on 24/7. We advise turning it on at nighttime when temperatures drop.
  • Run water on cold nights: Finally, make a habit of turning on the faucets at night. A slow trickle of water coming through your pipes will prevent them from freezing and possibly bursting. Trust us—the small cost of running water throughout the night is nothing compared to the headache of dealing with a burst pipe or a frozen well.

What to do if your well freezes

The answer to the question of whether you can prevent your well from freezing in Columbia, TN is “yes.” However, accidents happen, and your well or pipes might freeze even after you’ve made steps to prevent it. Follow these steps to set everything straight:

  • Open a faucet: Your first step if you have a frozen pipe is to turn on a faucet. Though you won’t get any water, opening the faucet relieves a ton of pressure and reduces the chance of the pipe bursting.
  • Try warming the pipes: If you can find the frozen part of the pipes, you may be able to warm them up yourself. Grab a hair dryer and slowly warm the frozen pipe until it begins to thaw. Keep in mind that this could be a time-consuming process!
  • Call a professional: The two steps above probably won’t be enough to save your pipes or your well, so hire a professional plumber to handle everything. A professional will ensure your well and pipes are all thawed out and that there’s no long-lasting damage.

Hire our team to fix your frozen well

If you’re unable to prevent your well from freezing in Columbia, TN or you have any other well issues, call our team at Action Electric Motor & Pump Repair. In addition to providing emergency repairs, we offer new well installation, general maintenance and much more.

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