First year with my land having an uncovered water well...curious what I need to do for freeze protection? Located in Victoria and supposed to be down to about 20F on Monday/Tuesday nights for a couple hours.

No concrete pad or anything underneath the pressure tank. I can't get a picture right now being at work, but well is about 2 feet away from pressure tank. Pressure tank stands to about 5 feet tall with ~2ft diameter. Main pipe tees for two supply lines but no piping running anywhere yet. Have a couple hose spigots teed off one of the supply lines. Total area is probably about 5ft x 4ft. Is it safe to wrap the tank and piping in self-regulating heat tape?

Any suggestions are welcome. My electric is 10 ft away and I have multiple heat lamps ready to go.

Septic pump well 5ft deep here that gets two (in case one burns out) incandescent lamped mechanic work lights under the hood.

While shopping waterproof blanket for top/hood, ran across a lot of Amazon offerings specifically designed for what you describe.

That said, it's EZ to agree with Kitten Feet FIL solution as ideal/best,
even if this project begins with a pop-up tent ...
which we used for plants in-the-day ..
less than $60 (less heat/mechanic lights) & 10min setup-popup

This was my first thought, but didn't know if there was a quick, one-time solution so I can build the outhouse the right way. Not sure I can get it done the right way in four days...

Could this pop-up tent be a simple tent like you get from the outdoor section at Academy/Walmart? Or is it something specific to freeze protection?

You would be OK to just tarp it - hold the tarp down with bricks or something similar. Then, put one of the heat lamps under there. Be careful to keep the heat lamp away from the tarp. I used to do something similar with a 100W light bulb (incandescent).

Edit: It also doesn't hurt to run some water before you go to bed that night (maybe a couple of pump cycles worth) to get that tank water full of 70 something degree water to head into the overnight freeze.

https://rebrand.ly/gx2jpqs two-day delivery

is our 5-year old "greenhouse"

but you will want to cut the waterproof floor out of it

and yes, years ago Academy/etc used to carry them in stock

nooo not isulated but used heat lamps in this case


Agree with above, as well = tarps well tied/weighted down but cannot advise as to heat or not required in your case

Tractor Supply also has helpers to guide you to farm & well solutions that are in stock.

This and a heat tape. Wrap the tape around the pipes, then cover with insulation or even newpapers, then plastic. Well head should have a pop off valve that will release if the pipes freeze and the pressure drops enough to kick on the pump. Also trickle the faucet furthest away from the tank. If you do freeze, but no busted pipes, take a hair dryer to the nipple under the pressure switch. That 1/4" nipple has made a many of well service companies rich.

THERMO-CUBE Thermostatically Controlled Power Outlet, On at 35F / Off at 45F: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

25FT Heat Tape for Water Pipes Freeze Protection 7W/FT 110V BDDFOTO Water Pipe Heat Cable With Thermostat Self-Regulating Pipe Heater for House Garden/RV Camper - Amazon.com

I would do everything in this thread but ultimately kill the breaker to the well. My above ground piping a year ago shattered when the water coming up form my 5hp well slammed against the plug of ice in the line. It would have melted and been fine in a few hours but I didn't think about.


I would see if you could snag some BIG A$$ blankets and pin them down tight if I could. I can't emphasize enough the importance of making your "electricity free" preparations your first priority. The power shouldn't go out for this but you know how that goes. If it stays on, no problem.

AgEngr16 said:

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First year with my land having an uncovered water well...curious what I need to do for freeze protection? Located in Victoria and supposed to be down to about 20F on Monday/Tuesday nights for a couple hours.

No concrete pad or anything underneath the pressure tank. I can't get a picture right now being at work, but well is about 2 feet away from pressure tank. Pressure tank stands to about 5 feet tall with ~2ft diameter. Main pipe tees for two supply lines but no piping running anywhere yet. Have a couple hose spigots teed off one of the supply lines. Total area is probably about 5ft x 4ft. Is it safe to wrap the tank and piping in self-regulating heat tape?

Any suggestions are welcome. My electric is 10 ft away and I have multiple heat lamps ready to go.

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If it's not connected to anything, just shut off the power and leave the spigots open. That will drain the pressure tank and should relieve all the pressure.

Anyone ever tried this? Seems like a simple solution, but so is TxAg20 suggestion of just draining the pressure tank.

This is what I'm doing tomorrow night.