Big snow storm/freeze prep

Most have probably seen the weather for this upcoming weekend. Big/monster storm coming for the southern half of the country. No biggie for lots up north, but this will be crippling for many parts of the south.

Trying to get things in order. On top of the snow, they're showing very cold temps for us days after, with a couple am temps being in single digits, maybe bumping close to 0 F, and some highs in the mid 20s. Realizing some of you just laugh at that...that's crazy cold for us. We're not 'built' to handle this much snow and cold temps, and it's somewhat hard to be ready as a standard for this....

That being said, my main question is regarding my well. It's out in the pasture, has the concrete well casing around that, and some simple blanket style insulation around the guts (my pressure tank is 60 yards away closer to the house, in a small shed that I can heat - electric assuming power or generator if out).

My dad always wrapped plastic around his well when I was growing up. I'm thinking about doing the same, as some kind of protective layer and to hopefully help block some air/wind. I bought some clear plastic and some black plastic yesterday. I am arguing with myself over what will work best...
Just the black (I think I have enough to double it over) to block wind and perhaps get 'solar heating/gain' with the black?

Or do I put both black and the clear for 'doubling up' of the plastic? If so, which orientation of the two types will give me the most protection/gain? Black under the clear (clear on outside) to maybe 'get solar'? Or clear under the black (black outer heating the clear underneath)? Keeping in mind that as of now, we may be getting 12-20 inches of snow, maybe some sleet near the end, with well below freezing temps for days afterward. Power is obviously a big concern. Do I use snow as extra "insulation" like an igloo? Or do I go clean snow off in case sun shines for whatever 'solar gain'...if that's such a thing when it's that cold? If the sun is out....

At this time, I do not have a way to have an electric option inside for a light or heat tape. And there's pretty much zero chance of making that happen before the event.

I know some may think I may be over thinking, but this is gonna be a big deal for folks down here.... Thanks for any help yall can throw my way.

 

Do you water lines come out at the surface of your well head or are they buried underground? The water line typically exits the well casing deep underground before making it's way to the house, in these parts anyway. Enters the house at about 6 1/2' below grade in my case.

If your water line does not exit through the top of your well head, maybe the only place to be concerned about is the pressure tank shed?

Snow does act as an insulator.....perhaps wrapping plastic around the well head isn't necessary? I don't know is there is anything to be gained from the plastic. Depending on setup of course.

How deep are your septic lines buried? They can freeze too......

 

Snow is an insulator, in live in trailers water pipes exposed you pile snow up to protect think igloos

run extension cord and run high watt light bulbs in it

 

If you have straw, build a "house" over it with bales.

 

Water lines come up out of ground to pressure gauge and switch, in the cement casing. Then go back under ground to the pressure tank shed, and out to the waterers. Nothing here is 6.5 ft down, everything 'should' be below our freeze line, which I've heard considered to be about 18" (iirc).

I've thought about running the cord and light bulb. Concern with that is the cord will have to go under the lip of the concrete lid, which is a problem cause 1) it's heavy and causes a pinch/cut conern and 2) that then creates more of a gap for cold air/wind to get into the casing...

 

It's supposed to be 20 degrees here in my area Monday morning. So I will be doing the three P's (pipes, plants and pets). I hope everyone here at FHC makes it through the next few days without major problems.

 

We have wrapped all of our “frost free” outside upright water spigots with black plastic years ago and secured with baling wire. Have never had one freeze. Also wrapped the well head with black plastic and covered it with a fake rock. So far never a problem for 28 years. The loss of electricity is the biggest issue….well pump won’t pump We are also not used to these unusual weather conditions so it may be dicey.

 

Exactly what I was gonna suggest...its common to see even up here in NEO for people that have freezing issues in extreme storms...both water wells and gas meters.
I'd wrap with plastic to block wind, then stack said bales around/over as needed...should do the trick.

 

If I can get my hands on Straw bales....are we talking about one bale 'deep' around/on top of it? Or double stack?

 

Just make a perimeter around the well casing and top it off with more bales. 1 deep is plenty.

 

If it’s just this weekend let the water run at a trickle. Flowing water can’t freeze.

 

Hay bales work too...but straw is better because it will dry out after getting wet, hay doesn't. Wouldn't matter for just a couple days though.
And yes, 1 bale deep is good.
If you have or can get some quantity of sawdust, partially filling some large trash bags with sawdust and piling them strategically may work too...might hafta tie off or weight down somehow though...not sure what you are going to get for wind...

 

Go ahead with your plastic wrap to keep cold and wind out (orientation won’t matter much) and pile the snow over the top if you have the snow. Snow is a great insulator. The straw bales are a great idea and work very well if you can get em. Wish you the best!

 

And/or....place the straw (or hay) bales and then cover those with the plastic wrap?

 

Wrap the casing in black plastic, straw bales would very helpful, if you can't get them start bagging up leaves, fill enough bags to surround and cover the structure.

 

If you cannot get straw then wrap it multiple times with bubble wrap. Then cover it with thick black plastic. I use it in my greenhouse and it makes a difference. The suggestion of a trickle is good too.

 

Pretty much what I was thinking. Also running water does NOT freeze. You can always leave a real small trickle running. It doesn’t take much, a rapid drip is almost enough. If you have a suitable toilet, just forget to jiggle the handle. Ground temperature takes a lot of extended cold to freeze very quickly and very deep and a good layer of snow will help. It’s after the snow melts and there’s moisture coupled with intense cold that will drive the frost in the ground.

 

This - the neighbor was just insulating his trailer skirt yesterday this way (actually, he probably brought in extra layers getting ready for the sustained negative digits at night, and single digits during the day).

With the hay fort around/over, and snow insulating that, the well should be good.

 

Be sure to buy enough milk bread and eggs to last at least a month!

 

Milk sammiches are already checked off the list!