If you haven’t already, you’ve probably noticed the weather has taken a drastic turn in the last few weeks! Conditions are colder, water is freezing, and the ways of our industry are changing. With this, we must maintain and replace pumps that are suffering due to the weather, preventing them for doing the jobs they are there to do.
Even though pumps are designed to put up with a lot, cold weather can be debilitating for pump systems, especially as freezing water can cause problems. As work is likely to pick up for many businesses in the upcoming months, the last thing you need is an emergency or an unexpected breakdown that’s going to cost you time and money.
Energy wastage and pump failure can be easily avoided by professional pump maintenance services or by hiring a replacement pump to fulfil your requirements. Here at Pump Supplies, we are experts at providing all of these services. Lets have a look at the common problems you may face this winter and the options you can choose to fix it.
What causes pump problems in the winter?
With December being the wettest month in the United Kingdom and February being the coldest, it’s no surprise that systems are subjected to stress when those months arrive (December through to February). Especially with much of the UK seeing overnight temperatures of -10 degrees of late, the nights are only thought to become colder as we edge closer to the new year.
Weather and temperature have a direct influence on the quantity of fluid that stormwater and wastewater systems will have to store and pump during the colder and wetter months. Blockages or insufficient output capability can put a lot of strain on many pumping systems, leading to leakages, overflow and breakdowns. With more debris likely to be found in waterways and frozen or semi-frozen water entering filter systems, blockages can occur naturally.
Top Tip: If a pump is not required, it can be important to ensure they are turned off. Operating a pump when not necessary is an easy way to waste a huge amount of energy during the winter months.
A leaking or broken system might last a few weeks before it will eventually fail, but this is not a reason to leave your pump until it does eventually cause heavy problems. The first step to stopping any common cause of pump failure is prevention. This is the exact reason as to why we offer a hire and sales service for all of our pumping solutions. The way you maintain your pump systems will impact on the success of your business, especially if problems arise because you didn’t have your pumped checked thoroughly.
All pump stations should be serviced a minimum of every 12 months, depending on the use of the pump station. In situations where the station is in high use, it could need inspection as much as monthly. Particularly if you work within the sewage industry, we understand how detrimental a sewage pump failure can be.
The common problems you may find with your pumping systems over winter include:
- Pump not turning on – this can be caused by a number of issues, including problems with the float, debris jamming the impeller, the pump not receiving enough electricity, a blockage in the pump tripping the electrics or that the pump has broken down completely.
- Broken pipework – Broken pipework is a common problem in sewage and sump pumps and can lead to flooding of waste water. Broken pipework can be a very expensive repair job if it’s not caught in the early stages, this is why we recommend routine pump maintenance for all the pumps we install.
If you are suffering from any of these problems or are in need of pumping maintenance, you can contact us today for more information!
