Spokane winters are no joke. Temperatures regularly dip below zero, and sustained cold snaps can last for weeks. For homeowners on well water, freezing temperatures pose a real threat to your pump system — specifically to any above-ground components like your pressure tank, plumbing connections, and pump house.

The good news is that winterizing your well pump system is straightforward and relatively inexpensive. The bad news is that most people do not think about it until something freezes, and by then the damage is done.

Here is how to protect your system before the cold hits.

What Is at Risk

Your submersible pump itself is safe. It sits deep underground, below the frost line and surrounded by water. Freezing is not a concern for the pump motor or the drop pipe inside the well casing.

What is at risk is everything above ground or in unheated spaces. This includes the pressure tank if it is in a pump house, crawl space, or unheated garage. Exposed plumbing between the wellhead and your home is also vulnerable, as are the pressure switch, control box, and any exposed fittings near the wellhead. Irrigation lines, outdoor spigots, and any above-ground piping connected to your well system can also freeze.

In the Spokane area, the frost line is approximately 30 to 36 inches deep, depending on soil type and location. Your pitless adapter (the fitting that connects the well pipe to the underground supply line to your house) is typically installed below this depth. But the connection points above the pitless adapter, and any above-ground plumbing, are exposed to freezing air temperatures.

Winterize Your Pump House

If your pressure tank and pump equipment are in a pump house or well house, this is your primary area of concern. These small structures are often poorly insulated and can get dangerously cold during extended freezes.

Insulate the walls and ceiling of the pump house if they are not already. Foam board insulation or fiberglass batts make a significant difference. Pay special attention to any gaps, cracks, or openings where cold air can enter — around pipes, electrical conduit, and the door.

Add a heat source. A thermostatically controlled heat lamp, a small ceramic heater with a built-in thermostat, or an oil-filled radiator-style heater set to maintain a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit will protect your equipment. Make sure any heat source is rated for enclosed spaces and is not a fire hazard. Do not use open-flame heaters or extension cords that are not rated for the load.

Consider a low-temperature alarm. Battery-operated or Wi-Fi connected freeze alarms cost $20 to $50 and will alert you if the temperature in your pump house drops to dangerous levels. This is especially valuable if you travel or are away from home during cold stretches.

Protect Exposed Pipes

Any water pipe that is exposed to outdoor air temperatures needs protection.

Pipe insulation foam (the split-tube type you find at any hardware store) is the first line of defense. It is inexpensive, easy to install, and effective for moderate cold. Wrap all exposed pipes, including the supply line from the well to the house and any connections near the pressure tank.

For pipes that are particularly vulnerable — those in unheated crawl spaces, along exterior walls, or in areas with direct exposure to wind — add thermostatically controlled heat tape or heat cable underneath the pipe insulation. Heat tape activates automatically when the temperature drops below a set point and keeps the pipe above freezing.

Do not forget outdoor faucets and spigots. Disconnect any garden hoses before winter. If your outdoor faucet is not a frost-free type, shut off the supply valve inside the house and drain the faucet.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

Despite your best efforts, freezing can still happen during extreme cold events. If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, or only a trickle flows, you likely have a frozen pipe.

Do not panic, and do not reach for a blowtorch. Open the affected faucet so water can flow once the pipe thaws. Apply gentle heat to the frozen section using a hair dryer, heat lamp, space heater (directed at the area), or towels soaked in hot water. Work from the faucet back toward the frozen section.

Never use an open flame or high-heat source on frozen pipes. This can damage the pipe, melt plastic fittings, or start a fire.

If you cannot locate the frozen section, or if you suspect the freeze is in an inaccessible location, call a professional. Frozen pipes that are not thawed properly can burst, causing water damage when they eventually warm up.

Preventing Frozen Pipes During Extended Cold Snaps

When extreme cold is forecast for several days, take extra precautions. Let a faucet drip slightly during the coldest overnight hours. Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water, and the small cost of the water used is nothing compared to the cost of a burst pipe.

Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air circulate around the pipes.

If you are leaving your home for an extended period during winter, do not turn your heat off completely. Keep the thermostat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit minimum, and consider shutting off the water supply and draining the system if you will be gone for more than a few days.

Annual Winter Prep Checklist

Before the first hard freeze each year, run through this checklist. Inspect your pump house for insulation gaps and verify your heat source is working. Check all pipe insulation for damage or areas that have come loose. Test heat tape by plugging it in and verifying it warms up. Disconnect and drain garden hoses and outdoor irrigation lines. Verify your pitless adapter is not leaking or showing signs of corrosion. Check that your well cap is secure and sealed against moisture intrusion.

Need Help Winterizing?

If you are not sure whether your well pump system is ready for winter, or if you have already experienced freeze damage, Pump Division can help. Our fall maintenance visits include a winterization check, and we are available seven days a week for emergency service when winter does its worst.

Call us at (509) 214-9355. We serve Spokane, Spokane Valley, and communities throughout the Inland Northwest.

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