Well Pit Heat

[jampg]

What is the best way to heat a underground well pit. I have 220 only in there now. It is about 4X6. Thanks.

[multibeard]

If the well pit is totally under ground no heat should be needed. Mother nature will keep it from freezing. It wouldn't hurt to put straw bales over it and cover them with a tarp if it is in a wind blown area.

In an above ground well house we have I hang two heat lamps and there are times when it is warmer in the well house than in the house. I also put a remote thermometer transmitter in the well house so I know that the light bullbs have not burnt out.

[multibeard]

If the well pit is totally under ground and fairly deep no heat should be needed. Mother nature will keep it from freezing. It wouldn't hurt to put straw bales over it and cover them with a tarp if it is in a wind blown area.

In an above ground well house we have I hang two heat lamps and there are times when it is warmer in the well house than in the house. I also put a remote thermometer transmitter in the well house so I know that the light bullbs have not burnt out.

[Steve]

Mine is 6' deep and I cover it up with a cover that has some styrofoam insulation and have never had a problem.

[greydog2000]

Make sure the lid is good and no air can get in (on those cold, blustery days). If the lid is good, you should be in good shape.

You could always wire in a pit heater from your pressure switch. I always tell people its good insurance. The heaters run about $25 and they are thermostatically controlled.

I make a lot of money during those bitter cold snaps from people "thinking" their pits were okay.

Shane
Licensed well driller

[Ausable Junkie]

A 75W light bulb will do the job if the pit is enclosed good.
Make sure to put the heater a couple feet up from the floor.
Your lid may fail one day and let water into the pit. Not good to
mix electricity & water.:)

[jampg]

The lid is cracked and in three pieces.:bloos: Our cabin is ten miles N of Hale. Do you know where I can get a new lid?

[Backwoods-Savage]

Our pump is just below ground level and fully enclosed. We still surround the pump with styrofoam and also put styrofoam over the top. Then when the temperature gets below 10 degrees, we still turn a light on (75 watt).

One time we did have the pump freeze. We had been gone for 4 days and an unexpected cold front moved in dropping the temperature to -20. With the water not moving and with the light bulb burned out, it froze, but just barely. It took about a minute to get it going again.

As for a lid, you should be able to make one in a very short time. Use styrofoam in the center with a double air space and you should have no problem.

[Ausable Junkie]

As Backwoods said, you'll need to repair it or build a new one. You said ur
pit is approx. 4'x6' so make sure it can hold the weight of a kid on it. alot
of people just throw a chunk of plywood over top and don't strengthen it
with framing underneath.

A kid can step on it and end up in the hole and injured. I'd use 2x4's at
24" spacing running the 4' way to make sure this can't happen. It would
also handle the snow load that we see here sometimes. Bernard Building
Center is right in Hale and has everything u need.

10 Miles N of Hale puts u pretty close to me. I live across the road from Jose Lake.

[jampg]

Thanks guys,
The actual opening is only obout 2x2. The lid I have is cement and just the corners are cracked off. Maybe I can bond it back together or just get a new one.

[kal03amsd]

Greydog2000 mentioned that you can heat your well pit with a " Pit Heater" attached to your pressure switch. Does anyone know a mfg or store that sells this type of heater ? Thanks

[stevevdw]

I would make a new cover out of Pressure treated 2X6 & glue some of that hi-density foam underneath 6-8" thick. Might have to use a couple layers. Make the foam protude down into the opening as tight as you can get it. You might consider making the frame big enough to cover the whole box & insulate it with a door in the center. Cover it with tin or something to shed water.
You can check at tractor supply for a cattle tank heater. They use them to keep the drinking tanks unfrozen during the winter. I think some have thermostats to automatically shut off if it's not needed. Good luck.