I just purchased a cottage in Northern Ontario, and would like to use it at times in the winter. The water pump is down by the lake, and I've seen a system a long time ago that self prime's the pump, so that you only flick the switch to get the water going again. I realise that I would still have to drain all the water lines when I leave. Would some one here know about this or other systems, like the inline water heaters? Thanks to all.
winter use of cottage?
Oct 16, 2005
2 Replies
Got a cabin in Utah. Same thing. Water is turned off from the supply from Oct1 to Mar1. During that time, you have to take in water in containers. I put a 55 gallon drum in the attic, and have plastic lines running to two sinks and toilet. Showering is by Solar Shower and heated water. I just bought a pump to pump the water from the truck up to the 55 gal barrel.
Adjustments have to be made for winter. Depending on your cabin, you could make a delivery system, but you would have to do it where the pipes could not freeze. Not a simple thing.
Your line from the lake is most likely frozen solid and under two feet of snow during the winter. You wouldn't be able to use lake water even if you could run the pump.
Check with others in the area and see what they do.
Steve
A submerged pump with a pressure switch and a small leak in the cabin might work well. The water under the ice might be 39 F. The leak might be continuous, or it might happen when a thermostat opens a solenoid valve as the cabin water temp approaches 35 F.
Nick
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