As the Arctic front approaches, ensuring your well is well-prepared for the cold weather ahead is crucial to prevent damage.
B&R Well Drilling offers a guide to well winterization, featuring expert procedures and helpful tips to keep your well protected.
Insulation of outside exterior pipes:
Hopefully your pipes are buried at least 12 inches underground whenever possible. But any exposed pipes need to be wrapped in pipe insulation and then sealed with a 2” pipe wrap electrical tape – NOT DUCT TAPE. The pipe wrap electrical tape is water proof and UV resistant so it is less likely to break down in the sunlight after a year. Where you have bends in the pipe, cut a triangle out of one side of the insulation so that it does not bunch up on the inside of the bend. Also be sure to insulate the metal fittings if applicable, such as the relief valve, ball valve, hose bib, check valve, Snifter(Schrader) Valve and pressure gauge. For the items you want to be able to get to later (such as the pressure gauge and hose bib) make a glove out of the pipe insulation that will tightly slip down over the item when not in use…..do not cap snifter (Schrader) Valve.
Well Enclosure/Pump House Insulation:
The best protection you can have for your water system is a well enclosure or pump house with good insulation and a heat source. Keep your pump house or well enclosure warm. If your well is located in a enclosure, make sure to keep the temperature above freezing (32 degrees). We recommend a space heater verses a heat lamp because you never know when the bulb will burn out. (Disclaimer: Please make sure your follow the installation and operation instructions based off of the heater you purchased)
If you do not have a well enclosure be sure to wrap your tank to avoid as much wind exposure from the cold. You can do so by wrapping it in blanket or tarp. This prevents the wind chill which causes majority of freezing issues.
Leave Water Running:
If you have a water system you need to RUN water. If you are not using a storage tank and booster pump and the water comes straight into the house, running 1 gpm through a combination of sinks in the house should be sufficient to keep circulating warm water through your pipes.
Leaving town or irrigation well:
If you have done the things above, you are probably fine. But it never hurts to turn off the breaker to the pump(s) and drain the water from the pressure tank - Recommended - for irrigation wells. Remember to drain all Vacuum breakers, cycle stops and check valves on all drain plugs for irrigation wells.
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to protecting your water system during the winter months. Don't wait until it's too late, take the necessary steps now to ensure your well stays in top condition.
For any questions, call B&R Water Well Drilling at 936-894-0781