Preventing small Well pump house frome freezing

[C4Ranch]

Have had freezing problems in the past during the few times it drops below freezing. Need to protect a small wood house that contains a shallow well pump and small bladder pressure tank which feeds a small occasional use cabin. I don't want to drain the entire system while I'm not there.

I've looked into that heat tape but says not to overlap and must be in constant contact with the pipe or risk fire.

Thinking about running an extension cord out there with a thermostat plug and using a chicken coup light, then shutting off the water to the cabin and leaving the faucets open.

Thoughts on this approach? Are there potential fire dangers with running the light when I'm not there?

Tia!
J

 

[Stimw]

Just a regular light bulb will put out a lot of heat if the pump house is not vented. You could start with a 60W and check how warm it stays then go up if needed.
A lot of people take an old refrigerator and put a light bulb it for a welding rod oven. When the rods come out they are almost too hot to hold with a bare hand!

 

[creekbend]

If you have the capability, is it possible to run an underground electrical to your pump house? IMHO, it would work much better than an extension cord and safer. Just a thought. Best wishes.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

I have a small plastic shed I bought from HD covering my pump and tank. I did run 110 to it and use a timer and heat lamp bulb during the winter months. So far no problems with freezing since doing this set up. The first year I put the shed up the rattlesnake liked it also he had an accident since then no more snakes but I always look first before doing any work on the pump?? :thumbsup:

 

[rekees4300]

I would avoid using an extension cord. Underground conduit would be safer. They make heaters specifically for well houses.

Amazon.com: Fahrenheat/Marley WHT500 Utility Well House Heater: Home Improvement

 

[Sysop]

I would recommend installing some shut-off valves that have a drain-cap on them so when you shut off the water to the cabin, the lines in the cabin can be drained out. I'd then use heat tape. There is no need to overlap it or wrap it around the pipes... Run it parallel along one side of the pipes with some electrical tape holding it tight to the pipe, then wrap it with pipe insulation. On the bladder tank, depending on the size of "small", one or two heat tapes secured on it and wrapped with insulation should do. There are always potential fire dangers where electric is concerned, using the proper items for the task and using them properly are the keys to safety. In my opinion the extension cord would be the most dangerous "fail point" of either a heat light or heat tape.

 

[Soundguy]

if you have power at the well house ( pressure switch? ) I'd do the chix coup lamp... ( i've used a regulr 60w here in fl on the rare freezes we have. use a gfci type plug or power tap..

 

[C4Ranch]

Thx everyone. I have power to the pump house but it's 220v, not 110. House is only 8ft away so I could probably run another dedicated line underground.

I'll look into that well house Hester.

 

[Soundguy]

just get a 220 lamp

 

[dave1949]

Some foil-faced fiberglass insulation on the inside walls and top of the box would help.