Alright, so you wanna know how to keep that there well pump house from freezin’ up, huh? Listen up, ’cause this ain’t rocket science, but it’s important if you want water when it’s cold.
First off, that little house where your pump sits, it needs to be snug as a bug in a rug. That means insulation, y’hear? Stuff it full of that pink fluffy stuff, or whatever they sellin’ these days. Thick as you can get it, all around the walls and roof. Think of it like puttin’ a coat on your pump. You wouldn’t go out in the cold without a coat, would ya? Well, your pump don’t wanna be cold neither.
- Insulation is key, I’m tellin’ ya. Don’t skimp on this part.
- Make sure there ain’t no cracks or holes where the wind can whistle through. Seal ’em up good.
Now, insulation alone might not be enough if it gets real cold. You gotta have a heat source too. Some folks use them electric heaters, the kind you plug in. They work alright, but they can cost a pretty penny to run. And if the power goes out, well, you’re outta luck.
Others use propane heaters. They burn a little gas, keep things toasty. But you gotta be careful with them things, make sure they’re vented right so you don’t gas yourself. And you gotta keep an eye on the propane tank, make sure it don’t run out. Nothin’ worse than a frozen pump and no water on a cold mornin’.
Now, here’s a trick my old man used to do. He’d put a good old-fashioned light bulb in that pump house. Not one of them newfangled curly ones, but a real light bulb, the kind that gets hot. A 100-watt one, he’d say. Just hang it up near the pump, and let it burn. It ain’t gonna heat the whole place up like a furnace, but it’ll keep the chill off. Just make sure it ain’t gonna fall over and start a fire, ya hear? Safety first, always.
But listen, the best way, the only way to be absolutely sure your pump don’t freeze, is to drain it. Yeah, you heard me right. If it’s gonna get real cold, and you’re worried, just shut off the power to the pump, and let all the water out. Then there ain’t nothin’ to freeze. It’s a bit of a pain, I know, havin’ to drain it and then fill it up again, but it’s better than a busted pump, that’s for sure. You gotta know what you’re doin’ though, so if you ain’t sure, get someone who knows to show you.
So there you have it. Insulation, heat, maybe a light bulb, or drainin’ it all together. That’s how you keep that well pump house warm and your water flowin’ all winter long. Don’t go forgettin’ now. Water is life, y’know, and you don’t wanna be without it when it’s cold.
And remember, regular checks are important too. Don’t just set it and forget it. Go out there every now and then, especially when it’s real cold, and make sure everything’s workin’ right. A little bit of prevention can save you a whole lot of trouble, and money, down the road.
One more thing, if you got one of them fancy well pits instead of a house, most of this still applies. Insulation is still important, and you might be able to use a heat lamp or somethin’ to keep it warm. But drainin’ it is still the best bet if it’s gonna get real, real cold.
Alright, I think that’s about it. Keep your pump warm, and you’ll have water. It ain’t hard, just takes a little common sense. Now go on, get to it.
Tags: [well pump, well pump house, winterize, heating, freeze protection, insulation, heat source, water pump, cold weather, DIY]
