Unable to remove pump/fountain from pond for winter?

Legacy_user

Earlier this year, we had an electrician install outdoor cabling for our garden patio pond pump/fountain. We now understand that the pump should be removed from the pond during the winter and kept in a bucket of water (in the shed) in case of freezing.

This we accept, however, the plug is in the outdoor waterproof socket and the cable runs through a protective outer casing which is attached to a wall, the cable appears from the casing close to the pond.

So, because we are unable to remove the complete thing, we are left with a couple of options. One is to risk it and leave the pump in the pond, the other is to remove the pump, place in a bucket of water and cover with anything which would act as insulation then cover completely with a plastic trug/bucket etc.

We are on the South Coast, where we rarely see snow and frosts clear within an hour. The garden is reasonably protected. In the seven years since we've lived here, the pond has only frozen thinly less than half a dozen times.

So what do you reckon?

robotrobo

islandman wrote: »

Earlier this year, we had an electrician install outdoor cabling for our garden patio pond pump/fountain. We now understand that the pump should be removed from the pond during the winter and kept in a bucket of water (in the shed) in case of freezing.

This we accept, however, the plug is in the outdoor waterproof socket and the cable runs through a protective outer casing which is attached to a wall, the cable appears from the casing close to the pond.

So, because we are unable to remove the complete thing, we are left with a couple of options. One is to risk it and leave the pump in the pond, the other is to remove the pump, place in a bucket of water and cover with anything which would act as insulation then cover completely with a plastic trug/bucket etc.

We are on the South Coast, where we rarely see snow and frosts clear within an hour. The garden is reasonably protected. In the seven years since we've lived here, the pond has only frozen thinly less than half a dozen times.

So what do you reckon?

I think that if the pump is submerged in the water , then the likely hood of it freezing up on you is nil.
The pump in my neighbours garden , sits alongside the fish pond on the grass, and as never frozen up, yet the waterfall does produce ice, but as long as you have a flow , i think you will be ok,
& it does get cold up here in the north.

If it gets much colder i may put our central heating on:)

LindaMary

As said, if it's under the water it will be fine!

Davesnave

The worst that could happen is that the pump fails, but that could happen anyway in my limited experience.

It's the installation that was wrong. Next time, the connection to the pump needs to be closer to the pond and/or through a pipe which allows disconnection and removal/replacement. It isn't rocket science, but your electrician will look at the cheapest way to meet regs, which isn't always cheapest in the long run.

And of course, repeat business is good for him too.

However, you're in a warm area, so unless we have a winter like 2009/10, it should be fine. We only have one of those very occasionally; usually much further apart than the lifetime of a pond pump.

no1catman

I really don't see any need to take out the pump. You may consider moving the filter if you have one.

Always left the pump in the pond - apart from the cold water when trying to take it out, I'd have all the fiddling about with the wires in the 'powersafe'.
My only decision will be when to switch the power off to the pump, and then when to switch it back on - fingers crossed it pumps okay!

forgotmyname

My pump runs 24/7 365 and it actually prevents the pond from freezing. Running water will need to get very cold for it to freeze, especially in a smaller enviroment where the pump produces a small amount of heat also.

In the 10 or so years its been running i have only ever had it freeze once and thats was such a thin layer of ice i could break it up with my little finger. I checked it early AM and by about 10am it had melted anyway.

Pumps can stay running for years, but as above if you do turn them off them there is more of a risk of them not powering up.

no1catman

Had to turn mine off recently, with a couple of days of heavy rain, the lawn was squelching, the water level of the pond was above the surrounding patio flagstones - leaving the pump on there was a danger of the cascade water overflowing into the garden.
Back on now, flooding has soaked through.

sarah1972

forgotmyname wrote: »

My pump runs 24/7 365 and it actually prevents the pond from freezing. Running water will need to get very cold for it to freeze, especially in a smaller enviroment where the pump produces a small amount of heat also.

In the 10 or so years its been running i have only ever had it freeze once and thats was such a thin layer of ice i could break it up with my little finger. I checked it early AM and by about 10am it had melted anyway.

Pumps can stay running for years, but as above if you do turn them off them there is more of a risk of them not powering up.

Mines the same, it runs 24/7 365 aswell

molerat

Most of these instructions are backside covering by the manufacturer and cover a "worst case" scenario. My pump has never been taken out since installed 12 years ago up here in N Scotland.