There are numerous advantages to owning a private well pump. From the ability to select the type of filtration system that’s appropriate for the drinking water of your family, to the superior taste and the lower utility bills, wells constitute an excellent asset for your property.
Are there any downsides to it?
However, as it happens with all good things in life, the advantages come at the cost of certain responsibilities. The authorities are no longer responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure, which includes the pipelines, the extraction unit and the appliances connected to the water supply. Therefore, in order to ensure that the water is safe, you will have to address issues that develop on your own or with the help of a specialized well drilling and repair service.
For instance, power outages that prevent the water pump from extracting the groundwater or freezing temperatures that stop the circulation along the ductwork are your job. True, unless your well is equipped with a backup generator for this type of emergency, there is little you can do apart from waiting for the power to come back on.
What can you do when the water freezes in the pipes?
A freezing issue can be addressed in several ways:
• Keeping faucets running
It is common knowledge that flowing water requires substantially lower temperatures to freeze solid. To prove this assertion, you only have to look at how much faster still bodies of fresh water like lakes become frozen compared to rivers, and even streams.
Apply what you’ve learned to prevent the contents of your pipelines from turning solid by allowing a few water outlets to trickle when the temperature outside is below freezing. Even when the water is already frozen, running the faucets accelerates the melting process. Word to the wise, never run hot water through the ducts for this purpose; you might burst the pipelines due to the temperature difference.
• Applying flameless heating sources
Flameless heating sources are generally recommended because a) they don’t run the risk of melting the pipes and b) they won’t set any potentially flammable materials on fire. This category includes electrical blankets, space heaters, lamps, heated pads, etc. The heating source should be located at the junction between the pump unit and the pipe infrastructure. In the event that you can’t run an electrical cord all the way to the pump, then you can employ hot towels; replace them frequently for best results.
• Contacting a well maintenance and repair service
When the temperatures reach freezing level, standing outside with heated pads and hot towels, waiting for the ice blockage to melt is not exactly a picnic. A better solution to your problem would be to contact a plumbing service that specializes in dealing with wells and other extraction units. They have the necessary tools for the job – not to mention the expertise – to get the job done in a matter of minutes. When neither of the two aforementioned DIY tricks does the job and the temperatures are dropping fast, it’s better to pay for the service than to risk damaging the pump, pipes and your health.