Keeping Your Well Safe in the Winter

December 14, 2022

Wells can be a useful part of your property. However, with the winter coming you may be wondering: How do I get my well ready for the cold? In getting ready for the winter, it’s important to prepare for winterizing home wells found on your property. Luckily this process isn’t too difficult, and proper preparation keeps your wells safe.

Why You Should Winterize Your Wells

If you have a well on your property, it is likely an important water source. Without proper winterization, the water collected in the pump in your well can become frozen and damage the pump. When a well pump freezes, the casing is damaged, and further harm can also be caused to the entire system. Winterization is important because a well pump can freeze very quickly even if you use it regularly. Proper winterization protects your well’s pump and the attached pipes.

Preparing Your Well for Winter

When preparing your well for winter, the critical areas of focus are the well pump and pipes.

  • The Well Pump: If your well pump is at the bottom of the well and safely submerged, it is unlikely to freeze. But if you make use of an aboveground pump (jet pump), you have to prepare it for the cold winter weather. Your pump should be located in a part of your property that is both protected from the elements and heated. Avoiding drafts caused by windows or doors can help keep your pump safe.
  • The Pipes: For aboveground pipes, you can take several measures to keep them safe. You can insulate your pipes with blankets, foam pipe sleeves, or even sweaters if you need to. Applying heat tape along your pipes can also help protect them from the cold.

Preparing for Day Trips

If you plan to go away for the weekend or travel for the holidays, the following tips can protect your well.

  • Turn off the water supply to your home to prevent any freezing, and cut your well pump’s power from your breaker panel to ensure that no unwanted water flow occurs.
  • Open your pump’s faucet to drain out any water residue. Also, open all the faucet taps in your home to remove any excess water from your plumbing system.
  • Disconnect your draining pipes and associated wiring from your well pump. This prevents your pump from being used or activating.
  • An air compressor can blow out excess water that draining does not remove.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can keep your well from freezing this winter.

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B&M Pump Irrigation Sales & Service, Inc.