Turn off the water supply to the house, and then switch off the power to the pump at the breaker panel. Open the faucet on the pump to drain residual water. Then, open all the taps in the house until there's no more running water powering through them.
By shutting off the breaker, there should be no harm to the well pump system, provided the pump system is in good mechanical working order. However, you should also shut off the power to the hot water heater. In rare cases, a broken water line can siphon water out of the hot water heater, causing damage to the unit.
Comments Section TURN OFF YOUR WELL PUMP. It will burn out if it starts to runs and things are still frozen. Open up all your valves. This will help release the pressure buildup from the water freezing. You need directed heat, or else, even in a small crawl space, it will take forever to heat up.
Aside from installing insulation, there are low-cost solutions, such as insulated blankets, heat tapes, and heat lamps, that can provide temporary protection. However, they are less effective for long-term freeze prevention. Blanket Wrapping: Wrap pumps with insulated, weatherproof blankets suitable for outdoor use.
Near your private well's pump and pressure tank
Check near your well's pump and then near the pressure tank. Turn both (or just the one if there's only one) clockwise to turn the water off. And remember: When turning the water back on, GO SLOW with your counterclockwise turn.
Since cold weather is the number one cause for a burst pipe, turning off your well pump will help protect your property. Also make sure that you have a well pump cover that fits securely. This will keep cold air from disturbing the pipes in and around the well pump itself.
If a building uses well water, the well is usually located near the pressure tank but may be outside in a small well house or elsewhere. The well shut-off valve should be near the well or even in a small utility box buried in the ground near the well.
However, If you have an above ground pump, it needs to be kept in an area where the temperature stays above 40 degrees in order to prevent the water in the pump and water lines from freezing. If the pump is located in an area where temperatures drop below 32 degrees, the pump should be housed in an insulated enclosure.
As temperatures continue to drop, so does the amount of time required for pipes to freeze completely and eventually burst. Depending on various factors, the water inside pipes can start freezing in just 6 hours, though it's more common to see damage and issues after one to three days of subfreezing temperatures.
Shutting off water alone will not keep your pipes from freezing. You need to take additional preventive measures, such as insulating pipes, draining them, and maintaining a warm environment. By following these tips, you can protect your home from the costly damage that frozen pipes can cause.
Once installed, the pump is turned on and off by water pressure, which is controlled by a pressure switch. If the water pressure is too low, the pump turns on. If the water pressure is too high, the pump turns off. This process of turning on and off is called cycling.
Pipes: Turn off water supply to the house and drain pipes to protect them from freezing. You can empty pipes by running the water and flushing the toilets after the water has been turned off. After draining the pipes, it is a good idea to leave the faucets open to prevent pressure build up from any water that remains.
A pressure switch is a mechanical component most commonly found at the tank tee of the pressure tank. This switch senses pressure in your home's plumbing system by utilizing a small diaphragm and spring system that causes the switch to turn the well pump on and off.
Failure and overheating will occur if you leave the pump to run continuously.
Average Energy Consumption
The average power rating of a well pump is about 700 to 800 watts. However, there is more to consider in calculating its average monthly electricity consumption than the power rating.
Turn off the water supply to the house, and then switch off the power to the pump at the breaker panel. Open the faucet on the pump to drain residual water. Then, open all the taps in the house until there's no more running water powering through them.
Because frozen well pipes and pumps can lead to significant damage, you need to take extra precautions during the winter.
Insulating your pump gives protection against the cold to stop your pump from freezing. A simple way of insulation is to wrap the pump in bubble wrap (taking extra care not to restrict the airflow around the motor).
With this in mind, expect most pipes to freeze within six to eight hours. Uninsulated exterior pipes can freeze in under six hours if the temperature is below 20 degrees. It takes at least 12 hours for unprotected pipes to freeze at 32 degrees.
If your pressure tank is exposed to the elements, you should cover the pressure tank and plumbing with large sheets of insulation ensuring no part of the system is exposed. Once covered with insulation, wrap a tarp around the system.
Prevent Unit Damage: Well pumps, like all other devices, require routine checkups and maintenance. If you plan to stay away from your home for a long time, switch off your well pump before leaving incase some type of electrical problem occurs this will not continue until you arrive home.
If you're on a private well, your system will also have a main shut-off valve to stop any leaks in the home.