Protecting your rainwater harvesting system from freezing temperatures is essential to ensure it operates efficiently throughout the winter months. Here are some practical tips from Lakota Water Company to safeguard your system:

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes and Tanks

Wrap all exposed pipes, valves, and fittings with weather-resistant insulation or heat tape to prevent freezing. 

2. Drain Unused Components

Drain your pipes and equipment during extreme and long-term freezes when temperatures won’t rise above freezing for days. This includes any pressurized piping, downspouts, pumps, and filter housings.  

3. Run your Recirculation Systems Longer 

Freeze protection timers will automatically turn on at colder temperatures if you have our recirculation system.  Stirring the water and circulating it through piping will help against frozen pipes. If you don’t have a recirculation system, you may also run a hose through your gutters at ½ flow to keep water cycling.  

4. Protect Your Equipment

Use a heat lamp or floor heater (at floor level since heat rises) and be sure your equipment is enclosed in an insulated building, if possible. Be careful not to melt piping or fittings. Drain water from the pump and filter housings.   

5. Monitor the System Regularly

Keep an eye on weather forecasts and inspect your system frequently during freezing periods to identify any potential issues early.

6. Winterize Rainwater Collection Surfaces

Clean and inspect your gutters and downspouts before freezing weather begins. Remove debris to ensure water flows freely and doesn’t freeze in place, weighing down your gutters.

7. The Basics

Nothing works as well as the age-old rule of dripping faucets and opening cabinets in the house to get heat to the pipes.  Capture and re-use the water in receptacles if you wish.

By following these freeze protection tips, you can extend the life of your rainwater harvesting system and maintain a reliable water source, even in colder months.