Private wells provide a steady supply of clean water to homes for drinking, bathing, and cooking. However, when outdoor temperatures plummet, the pump and pipes can freeze and malfunction. With a handful of cold-weather precautions, you can prevent these untimely interruptions. Here’s how to get your submersible pump and pipes ready for winter.

How to Get Your Well Ready for Cold Weather

1. Run Water Often

When water becomes stagnant in plumbing, it may freeze, expand, and crack the pipes. Run your faucets and fixtures a few times per day to keep fluids flowing. This generates friction and warmth throughout the system. When temperatures drop below freezing, open faucets to a slow drip to keep water moving overnight. 

2. Add Insulation

Most of a well’s casing and components lie underground, where the earth’s natural temperature keeps them warm during the winter. However, exposed areas of the system come in direct contact with freezing rain, air, and snow, making them more vulnerable to cracking and bursting.

Insulate pipes and any exposed pressure tanks and switches by wrapping them with polyethylene foam or heating tape. Open bathroom vanity and kitchen cabinets to allow warm air to circulate in areas with plumbing. 

3. Enclose the Pump

Well houses prevent the casing and other components from becoming exposed to cold air and icy conditions. Build a well house out of wood, brick, or stone around the casing, pressure tank, and switches. Make sure to leave enough room to access these components for maintenance. Insulate the walls with foam and seal any cracks to the outside with caulk to keep the interior temperature above freezing.

4. Inspect the Seal

Check the area where the well meets the ground. If you notice gaps or recessed earth, add soil and mulch to prevent cold air and moisture from making contact with the casing. Insulating the casing will also keep the submersible pump warm enough to continue moving fluids into your home. This component should remain in the water throughout the wintertime.

Enjoy the year-round benefits of a private water supply with well drilling from Everetts Well Drilling & Irrigation LLC. This licensed contractor is located in Quitman, GA, and their team provides commercial and residential well installations to clients throughout southern Georgia and northern Florida. Call (229) 263-4192 to get an estimate on wells and submersible pumps. Visit them online to learn more about their irrigation and deep well services.