From an overload of melted snow to burst pipes, your sump pump will be standing guard to protect your property from winter’s worst threats. However, how can you ensure the mechanism itself doesn’t fall victim to the freezing temperatures? To keep your sump pump from freezing over, take advantage of the following tips.

3 Tips to Prevent Your Sump Pump From Freezing

1. Check on the Basin Regularly

At least twice a week, head down to your basement or garage and peer inside the sump basin where water collects. Make sure there is no snow, ice, or other debris crowding this reservoir, and pour some water into the basin to ensure it starts pumping right away. While you’re there, make sure the room is free of drafty spots, such as those caused by broken windows or worn weatherstripping.

2. Get a Thicker Discharge Line

After the wastewater moves through the discharge pipe, it must move through a line or hose, which carries the liquid away from your house. Since these pipes are usually 20 to 30 feet or longer, it’s easy for the water inside them to freeze up as it moves across the cold ground. Ice will buildup in layers along the inside of the pipe over time, and if the channel is only a couple of inches thick, it will prevent the flow of water altogether. With a thicker discharge line, you can allow wastewater to move faster and avoid freezing in the first place.

3. Insulate the Discharge Line

In addition to increasing the diameter of the pipe, it’s important to shelter the discharge line from the freezing ground. You can do this by investing in pipe insulation, which resembles foam tubing, and wrapping it around the sump pump’s discharge line. Once it’s insulated, bury the line further underground to shelter it from the freezing air. 

If you’re worried about your sump pump making it through the winter, get in touch with Gary’s Pump Service of Danbury, CT. Their team has spent over 40 years catering to homeowners throughout Fairfield and Litchfield counties. Whether you need a well pump installation, water treatment services, or sump pump repair, they’ll take care of it for you. To schedule an appointment, call (203) 744-7826 or visit their website to learn more about their offerings.