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Water well repairs are common in winter, as cold weather can severely impact your water well if it isn’t winterized. From frozen pipes to low water pressure, any water disruption can slow down your day and become an inconvenience. If your pipes freeze, they may burst and cause damage. Below are a few common problems and preventive solutions.

Common Winter Water Well Issues

1. Frozen Pipes

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To avoid frozen pipes, insulate them by placing insulating sleeves or old blankets around them, securing them with heat tape. You may also use old blankets or fleece to insulate the pipes. If the majority of the plumbing is inside a crawlspace, insulating this area will help keep pipes from freezing.

If pipes are already frozen, use a hairdryer or heat lamp to thaw the freezing point, wipe the pipes dry with a towel, and then apply insulation. If you can’t unthaw the pipes, call a water well repair service as soon as possible to avoid broken pipes.

2. Frozen Pump

Another part of the well system that can fail is the pump. Submersible pumps located near the bottom of the well will be safe under the frost line. Above-ground jet pumps can be affected by temperatures under 32 F. Ideally, your pump is located in an insulated and enclosed housing, protected by an additional structure such as a pump house or the home itself. If the pump is in an unheated outdoor structure, place a heat lamp inside the area and wrap the pump housing with a blanket or insulated cover. 

3. Loss of Power

Winter wind, ice storms, and heavy snowfall can cause power outages. Without electricity, the well pump cannot bring water to the home. It’s wise to have additional drinking water on hand should the pump fail due to a power outage. If you regularly experience power failures in winter, consider buying a gas or diesel generator as a back-up, so that you don’t lose running water. Make sure to keep extra fuel on hand, in case you can’t get out to get more.

 

 

For water well repairs, service, and installation in Dansville, NY, the professionals at Dansville Water Well will thoroughly inspect your well, diagnose the issue, and fix it immediately. This full-service well drilling company provides Livingston County residents with all aspects of pump installation and repair, water conditioning, and purifiers. For help with winterizing or emergency service, call (585) 335-3356 or visit the website to see a full range of offerings.

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