Pump experts know that it doesn’t matter if your water is clean or dirty, when the temperature drops below 32° Fahrenheit / 0° Celcius, it is important to take steps to prevent serious pump damage. According Professor Martin Chaplin of London South Bank University, the world’s leading expert on the science of water, frozen, standing water in the pump can increase in volume by up to 9% and there’s no material on Earth capable of withstanding the pressures generated by expanding ice.

Knowing this, what chance does your frozen pump have without you taking steps to mitigate the worst, a cracked pump casing? Even though pumps are usually made of durable materials like cast iron or aluminum, pump manufacturers have been unable to design against this damage. As mentioned above, nothing is safe when pitted against the sheer strength of expanding frozen water.

The paradox is, while a cracked pump is the worst headache a pump maintenance professional can have, it’s one of the easiest problems to guard against. Failure to do so can lead to some costly repair bills, not to mention unfortunate project delays. The cold weather months are coming up so it’s time to make sure that your pump is ready to withstand the freeze and thaw cycle that can split a pump, costing you thousands of dollars.

Here are important steps that you can take to keep your pump safe during the cold winter months:

Drain pumps during cold weather shutdowns

If you are lucky enough to be able to be able to shut your pump down during the winter months, the easiest solution is to drain your pump right before the cold weather starts. If you do shut down during sub-zero temperatures, make sure that the pump is completely drained of water so the freeze and thaw related to cold weather will not cause a costly replacement or repair.

Add a heat source to the pump operation

Shutting down during the cold months is not an option for everyone. Greg Hibblen, BlackHawk General Manager of Pumps & Services, says there are numerous solutions, the most popular being a heating kit that has a temperature switch that automatically activates the heater when the temperature drops below the set limit. According to Greg, the heating kit is a simple set-up and you’re ready for the winter with no further work needed.

Check the oil

Sometimes it’s as easy as checking the oil. Your pump’s smooth movement can be interrupted when trapped moisture and condensation in bearings turn to ice. Check your oil’s performance against the coldest expected temperature and use the oil recommended for your weather conditions. This could mean that a synthetic oil may be a better match for your region.

Call a BlackHawk Industrial expert

If in doubt, call a BlackHawk Industrial expert who can help to make sure that your pump is ready for your specific winter weather. Or, if you have a pump sales or service question, you can contact us on our website or call us 800-375-9470.

BlackHawk Pump Distribution Center

Our distribution center carries a complete stock of pumps and parts. BlackHawk can fabricate packages to your specifications with electric motors, pneumatic drives, gasoline, natural gas, or diesel engines. As part of BlackHawk Industrial, we have access to thousands of suppliers, allowing us to customize a package to fit your needs. You can also download the BlackHawk Pumps & Services Resources Guide and find out how we can help find solutions to your fluid handling issues.