Avoid cold weather from breaking your pump

How to Prevent Ice Damage to Your Pumps in Winter

Winter can be a harsh season for your pumps, especially if they are exposed to ice and cold temperatures. Ice can crack your pump body, freeze your pipes, and damage your motors and impellers. In this article, we will explain why ice can harm your pumps, how to prevent it, and what to do if it happens.

Why Ice Can Damage Your Pumps

Ice can damage your pumps in two ways: by expanding and by blocking.

When water or liquid inside your pump or pipe freezes, it expands and increases in volume. This can create pressure and crack your pump body or pipe, causing leaks and malfunctions.

When ice blocks the passage of water or liquid through your pump or pipe, it prevents the normal flow and operation of your pump. This can cause your pump to overheat, burn, or break.

How to Empty Your Pumps and Pipes

The best way to prevent ice damage to your pumps is to empty them from water or liquid when they are not in use. This will reduce the risk of freezing and cracking.

To empty your pump, you need to open the nuts or screws that are located at the lowest point of your pump body. This will let the water or liquid drain out of your pump.

To empty your pipe, you need to disconnect it from your pump and let the water or liquid flow out of it. You can also use compressed air or a pump to blow out any remaining water or liquid.

You should empty your pumps and pipes before the temperature drops below zero, or whenever you expect a long period of inactivity.

What to Do If Your Pump Body Cracks

If your pump body cracks due to ice, you will need to replace it with a new one. Trying to repair a cracked pump body is usually not effective or economical.

To replace your pump body, you will need to disconnect your pump from the power source and the pipe, and remove the old pump body. Then, you will need to install the new pump body and reconnect your pump to the power source and the pipe. You should also check for any leaks or damages to your pipe or other parts of your pump.

If you are not sure how to replace your pump body, or if you need professional assistance, you can contact us at 01706 558352 or write to sales@PeelPumps.co.uk. We will be happy to help you with any pump-related issue.

Types of Pumps That Are More Vulnerable to Ice Damage

Some types of pumps are more prone to ice damage than others, depending on their design and location.

Surface pumps, such as jet pumps, multistage pumps, centrifugal pumps, and self-priming pumps, are more exposed to ice and cold, especially if they are outside or not protected. These pumps are often used for irrigation, water supply, pressure boosting, or drainage applications.

Submersible pumps, such as well pumps and borehole pumps, are less affected by ice and cold, because they are submerged in water or liquid. The ground temperature protects them from freezing, as long as they are at least 1 meter below the surface. These pumps are often used for groundwater extraction, water treatment, or sewage disposal applications.

However, even submersible pumps can suffer from ice damage if their pipes are above the ground level and not insulated or heated. A frozen pipe can block the outlet of the pump and cause the same problems as a surface pump.

Therefore, you should always protect your pumps and pipes from ice and cold, regardless of their type or application.

We hope this article has helped you understand how to prevent ice damage to your pumps in winter. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We are always ready to assist you with your pump needs.

You can also browse our website to find out more about our products and services. We offer a wide range of pumps for different purposes and environments, such as GMP self-priming pumps, jet pumps, multistage pumps, Ebara pumps, Lowara pumps, Dab pumps, and ZDS pumps. We also provide installation, maintenance, and repair services for your pumps.

Thank you for choosing Peel Pumps, your reliable partner for pump solutions.