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2/19/2015 1:07:56 PM EDT
I had water dripping out of three faucets last night and my pipes still froze. Had a heat bulb in the well house, pvc pipes are wrapped, and tank is cover with a insulation and a blanket. I'm stuck, I really don't know what other type of options I have to prevent this from happening. It only does it when its really extremely cold like this. Is it possible that the pipe from the well house to the crawl space isn't buried past the frost line or is this type weather just going to do it regardless?
2/19/2015 1:22:03 PM EDT
[#1]
Is it frozen underground?  
2/19/2015 1:24:41 PM EDT
[#2]
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Is it frozen underground?  
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I have no way of knowing. But I have taken many steps to prevent this from happening since this isn't the first time.  I'm starting to think the lines aren't deep enough in the ground. This is my first house so I am learning as I go.
2/19/2015 1:32:26 PM EDT
[#3]
I'd turn the water off to the house to prevent a huge mess.



You should have a spigot in the well house just before it goes underground.  Have you checked for flow there?  
2/19/2015 1:39:28 PM EDT
[#4]
Not sure about to walk out and check it.
2/19/2015 1:43:01 PM EDT
[#5]
When my well freezes it is always the small pipe that is connected to the pressure switch. The main lines never freeze but that 3/8" pipe will every time, even with a lamp in there for heat. A hair dryer will thaw it out in a few minutes.
2/19/2015 1:47:36 PM EDT
[#6]
If that's what does it get a small heat tape kit and wrap it. Wrap armaflex around the pipe and it should take care of it.
2/19/2015 2:00:55 PM EDT
[#7]
All the pipes in the well house are wrapped and heat bulb is on. I turn the spigot but no water is coming out, and the pressure gauge is reading zero. Its all frozen.
2/19/2015 2:02:10 PM EDT
[#8]
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Quoted:
If that's what does it get a small heat tape kit and wrap it. Wrap armaflex around the pipe and it should take care of it.
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I've been meaning to do that but it falls off the list once warm weather comes around and I don't think about it again until we have our 1 or 2 nights each year that it gets cold enough to be concerned.
2/19/2015 2:13:34 PM EDT
[#9]


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All the pipes in the well house are wrapped and heat bulb is on. I turn the spigot but no water is coming out, and the pressure gauge is reading zero. Its all frozen.
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Turn the power off to the well pump. Use a hair dryer and warm up the pipes. Once you think it's all thawed, turn on the power and check for leaks.   I suspect your insulation isn't up to par. Buy a heat trace kit and more armaflex and heat trace all your pipes above ground in the well house and re insulate. Don't use the shit with the sticky tape seams, use glue together insulation. Don't leave any open gaps where air can get in.


 



Check your well house for any gaps open to the outside and fix em. Use a high wattage bulb or a small oil filled radiator for heat.
2/19/2015 2:22:10 PM EDT
[#10]
Ok I will give that a try and see how it works out. Thanks for the help.
2/19/2015 2:27:26 PM EDT
[#11]

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Ok I will give that a try and see how it works out. Thanks for the help.
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No problem. Isn't it funny how often the American Dream turns out to be a nightmare?  

 
2/19/2015 2:28:47 PM EDT
[#12]
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No problem. Isn't it funny how often the American Dream turns out to be a nightmare?    
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Ok I will give that a try and see how it works out. Thanks for the help.
No problem. Isn't it funny how often the American Dream turns out to be a nightmare?    



No Kidding, my first home and its been a nightmare and a money pit.
2/19/2015 7:21:36 PM EDT
[#14]
Fixing the air leaks will make a huge difference

Oil filled radiators are great

I use them to keep commercial properties from freezing
2/19/2015 7:44:29 PM EDT
[#15]
Get a small heater in well house. Along with lamps. And if it is only happens when it is extremely cold. I would have the two furthest faucet running not dripping....
2/19/2015 8:10:00 PM EDT
[#16]

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Get a small heater in well house. Along with lamps. And if it is only happens when it is extremely cold. I would have the two furthest faucet running not dripping....
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There ya go, run it dry. It'll never freeze. LOL

 
2/19/2015 8:43:24 PM EDT
[#17]
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There ya go, run it dry. It'll never freeze. LOL  
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Quoted:
Get a small heater in well house. Along with lamps. And if it is only happens when it is extremely cold. I would have the two furthest faucet running not dripping....
There ya go, run it dry. It'll never freeze. LOL  



lol I didn't say wide open. a weak steady stream. unless you do have a water shortage problem I would do this. This is what I do and will b doing tonight....
2/19/2015 10:55:38 PM EDT
[#18]

     That heat tape or cable wrapped around your pipes has done the trick for several people I know. The one I know about has a thermostat, so you can turn it on in December and pretty much forget about it until April. It does not raise your electricity bill very much if at all.

2/19/2015 11:02:47 PM EDT
[#19]

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     That heat tape or cable wrapped around your pipes has done the trick for several people I know. The one I know about has a thermostat, so you can turn it on in December and pretty much forget about it until April. It does not raise your electricity bill very much if at all.



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  • The one with the stat runs itself. Leave it plugged in year round.



 
2/19/2015 11:21:35 PM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:
Get a small heater in well house. Along with lamps. And if it is only happens when it is extremely cold. I would have the two furthest faucet running not dripping....
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This !! A small heater in the well house . I have tried bulbs , pipe tape , insulation etc . A small heater was the answer