Understanding Industrial Concerns

If this is your family's first winter living in a home that relies on well water, then there are some special actions you need to take to prevent a loss of household water caused by freezing plumbing and power failures. While most of your well's plumbing is installed well below the freeze line and is safe even during the coldest winter storms, anything that is above ground can be damaged when the temperatures drop below freezing. To prevent a loss of water due to excessively cold winter temperatures, follow each of these tips:

Tip: Use Heat Tape and Pipe Insulation to Prevent Frozen Above-Ground Pipes

All of the pipes and fixtures connected to your well's plumbing are at risk for freezing in sub-zero temperatures. For this reason, you should wrap all of your above-ground pipes in heat tape or foam pipe insulation. The insulation will keep the cold air from coming directly into contact with the pipes and drawing out their heat. When the water inside of the pipes freezes, it expands and will burst the pipes.

Where the pipes go through walls, you should spray foam insulation to keep the pipes away from freezing air. This simple step will also prevent cold air drafts in your living space. 

You can purchase spray foam, pipe insulation, and heat tape at any local hardware store or home improvement center.

Tip: Insulate the Pressure Switch Tube on Your Pressure Tank's Pump

If your well system uses a pressure tank and pressure pump to move water from a holding tank into your home, then you must insulate the small plastic tube that connects the pressure pump to its pressure switch. This small tube is susceptible to freezing well before other plumbing will have issues because of its size. To insulate the pressure tube, you can wrap it in foam rubber or a scrap of cotton fabric.

Tip: Consider Installing a Gas-Powered Generator for Your Well System

Finally, since power outages and winter tend to go hand-in-hand with each other, you should consider installing a gas-powered generator for your home's well water system. Without power, your well's submersible pump cannot get water from the well to your holding tank, and without power, your pressure pump cannot get that water into your home. A gas-powered generator can be run when you want to shower, wash dishes, and flush toilets during a power outage and will be appreciated by your family members.

If you do experience problems with your well pump due to a winter freeze, contact a company like David Cannon Well Drilling for assistance with getting the well pump repaired.