Frozen pipes

[Cabin owner]

I have a log cabin in the woods in the mountains where it gets very cold. As it is a weekend place and sometime there are weeks between use, I drain all the pipes and leave vaulves open between trip. However, sometimes the pipes from the submersible pump and the water tank which is in the house get frozen. Someone told me there is some type of heating device that goes down into the well/pump that keeps the water from freezing. Do you know what it is and were I can get info on installing it?

 

[Valveman]

A bleeder orifice down in the well would let the water drain to that point. Then it should not be able to freeze.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Gary Slusser]

I have a log cabin in the woods in the mountains where it gets very cold. As it is a weekend place and sometime there are weeks between use, I drain all the pipes and leave vaulves open between trip. However, sometimes the pipes from the submersible pump and the water tank which is in the house get frozen. Someone told me there is some type of heating device that goes down into the well/pump that keeps the water from freezing. Do you know what it is and were I can get info on installing it?

I think you're asking about a heat tape. I don't like relying on them and if the power goes out you freeze things up anyway. And you have to pull the pump to install one so you might as well go the bleeder.

 

[NHmaster]

Heat tape... Bad idea, very bad idea.