How to Keep Water Pipes From Freezing
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How do I keep the water pipes and pressure tank from freezing in the winter? |
Frozen Water Pipes
Electrical Question:How do I keep the water pipes and pressure tank from freezing in the winter in my pump house?
Justin in Michigan asks:
I have a pressure tank hooked up in my pole barn and run a light bulb to keep it from freezing in the winter. The light bulbs usually burn out once or twice during the winter resulting in frozen pipes letting me know it went out. my question is, is there a way to wire 2 or 3 fixtures up in a way that only one bulb is on at a time and if it burns out the next one will automatically turn on? That way the water would not freeze if one bulb burnt out and I would be able to check and replace a bulb periodically if needed.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Justin.
How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes
Application: How to keep water pipes from freezing.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, or Certified Electrician.
Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester, and appropriate Safety Gear.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety: Identify the electrical power source to the Light, turn it OFF and Tag with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials: Electrical parts and materials for the Light should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections: Installing or changing home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes as adopted in Bark river, Michigan. A permit and inspections may also be required.
How to Keep Pipes from Freezing at a Pressure Tank
This electrical wiring project is about how to keep water pipes from freezing in a pump house.
Prevent Frozen Water Pipes
- Justin, you may want to consider Rough Service Light Bulbs which will last much longer than standard light bulbs. The rough service light bulbs are typically a 130volt rated lamp which has a heavy duty inner filament which will be a long life bulb which will last longer.
- You may also want to consider installing freeze protecting heat tape that has a built in thermostat which typically turns on at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of heat tape is self regulating which can prevent water pipes from freezing and save on energy as well.
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