Despite your fondness for freezing temperatures, it does offer challenges sometimes. People living in such areas frequently complain about their well water pumps freezing. Freezing temperatures for the water system are dreadful because they not only block the water flow but can also cause the system to burst and crack. Before it happens to you, be prepared by learning how to unfreeze the well water pump.
Water is a basic necessity, and there is no life without it. For this, we have to ensure we have access to clean water for our daily use. When a well water pump freezes, it will stop working, preventing water flow. Surely, we are not going to wait for summer to arrive. In the meantime, we have to be careful that the pump is not damaged during the unfreezing process.
So, let’s get to know the right process and do the unfreezing yourself.
How to defrost well water pump
When using a well as a water source, it is crucial to be familiar with how water lines run through your house. The cold temperature will not only freeze the pump but will also affect the water lines. You have to find out all the freezing points so that water can flow without any disruptions. You will be able to locate the freeze only if you are aware of the water lines.
Discover the freeze
The first step in unfreezing the well water pump is to trace down the freezing points. Turn the taps on, and you will have an idea where the icing is. In case no water comes out from any of the taps, the problem might lie with the pressure tank, pump, or within the well.
If pipes are frozen, you can feel the cold by touching, or you will also notice a patch of ice on the exterior. We will be melting the ice of the pump, as well as of the other freezing points in the water lines.
Thaw out
Supplying heat is the only way forward when it comes to melting, but as we are dealing with a well water pump, we have to supply limited heat so that no part of the pump gets damaged.
Before you supply heat by any means, open all the taps so that pressure can relieve through the pipes. Also, the water will start flowing, and you will know when you have to stop supplying heat.
So, how do you provide the heat? Torches had been used previously, but we would not recommend that. Instead, you can choose a heat gun or a hairdryer for this purpose. Not only will you be able to use them effectively, but also you can manage the heat intensity.
Using this way, not only can you thaw pipes, but also you can get a well water pump unfroze.
Remember not to supply too much heat, or you may damage the system. Once you are done, the water must flow as usual.
What causes water well pumps to freeze?
Nothing but the cold temperature, water well pumps are frozen when exposed to cold temperature. But how cold is too cold? Generally, when the temperature falls to 20 degrees, it starts showing its effects. You will get cold water in the pipelines. If the temperature goes down further, it will start the freezing process.
How do you know the water well pump is frozen?
The question is important because we have no idea what the outside temperature is when we are inside. It is necessary to know the symptoms so that you can take action before the water lines start to crack, causing more damage. The earlier you take action, the higher the chances you have to save the well water pump from getting malfunctioned.
There are a few signs which tell you to get ready to save water well pump beforehand. That includes:
- Temperature is the most obvious sign as it is what causes the pumps to freeze. If it lies within the range of 20s and is expected to go down below, you have the time to do something.
- A patch of ice on water lines and pipes gives you a clear indication of what is about to happen.
- You have turned on the faucets, but there is no water. It’s a clear signal that pipes are frozen.
- You must have studied during school that water expands when it freezes. Considering this, if the water in pipes freezes, it will put pressure on pipes, and you can clearly see the bulge.
How to winterize the water well pump?
Can you prepare the water well pump so as not to get frozen in winters? Not 100%, but you can always make preparations for it. It all begins from the very start by installing the pump below the frost line. In addition to that, the components that are placed above the ground should be insulated, and water lines should also be covered with foam insulation, especially in winter seasons. The use of heat tape is also valuable in this regard.
Other than that, do not let the water sit in pipes for too long. In short, keep running the taps so that water keeps flowing. It will freeze only if it remains in place for a long time.
Conclusion
At times it happens that with all our precautions, the well water pump freezes, but we cannot let it like this for long. We need to have water for daily use. For that, unfreezing is the only option we have left. The only method that works for melting is to supply heat, and as we are dealing with a water pump, we do it carefully, either with a hairdryer or heat gun.
Anyways, enjoy the winters and keep yourself hydrated throughout and unfreeze the water pump just like the way you have read.