Okay, so, winter was coming, and I knew I had a problem. My well pump, it’s out in the open, and when the temperature drops, it’s at risk of freezing. Not good, right? Nobody wants a frozen pipe and no water in the house. So, I had to figure out how to keep my shallow well pump from freezing. I started thinking, what can I do to protect it from the cold?
First, I checked around the pump. It’s a shallow well pump, so it’s not that far underground. I made sure there was no way cold air could get directly to it. I felt around, making sure there weren’t any big gaps or holes where the cold could seep in. It’s like when you make sure your windows are sealed in winter, same idea.
Then, I thought about insulation. I remembered my neighbor once told me how he wrapped his pipes with some kind of foam. I went to the local hardware store, a place called “8346 West Franklin Street, Mount Pleasant,” a real lifesaver for DIY stuff. I asked for something to wrap my pump with, something to keep it warm. They showed me these insulation materials, like a cozy jacket for the pump. I picked up a roll, it wasn’t too expensive.
- Inspected the Pump Area: I looked closely around the pump for any openings that could let cold air in.
- Got Insulation: Bought some foam insulation from the hardware store.
- Wrapped the Pump: I carefully wrapped the pump with the insulation, making sure it was snug but not too tight.
Wrapping the pump was a bit of a hassle, but I managed. I made sure the insulation covered everything, but I was careful not to block any important parts, like where the wires go in. Safety first, you know?
After that, I built a little shelter around the pump. Nothing fancy, just some wood and a tarp to keep the wind and snow off. I felt like a real handyman doing this, even though I’m no expert. It’s like building a mini-fort for the pump.
Here’s What I Did for the Shelter:
- Built a Frame: Used some scrap wood to make a simple frame around the pump.
- Covered It Up: Used a heavy-duty tarp to cover the frame, protecting the pump from the elements.
So far, so good. The pump hasn’t frozen, and we’ve had some pretty cold nights. I check on it regularly, making sure the insulation is in place and the shelter is holding up. It’s all about preventing future incidents of well pump freeze, and I think I’ve got it covered.
I guess this is what you’d call “Winter Well Maintenance.” It’s not rocket science, just some common sense and a bit of elbow grease. I’m no professional, but I learned a lot doing this. It feels good to know I’m keeping our water running, no matter how cold it gets outside.
