While the first day of spring was officially March 21st, it may not feel that way for much of the country.

The Northeast was just blasted with the fourth (!) winter storm of the month. As the temperatures rise and the snow begins to melt, we can finally see spring on the horizon.

Before you get ready to stop and smell the azaleas, keep in mind that there are parts of your home or pumping system, that may need tending to after the nasty winter. Making sure that all your equipment is still functional is the best way to ensure that you’re ready for a new season.

If you read our tips on how to protect your pump during a winter storm, you will see that people sometimes install pumps outside without enclosure protection. Jet Well Pumps, like the Goulds J7S or Goulds J15, are notable examples. It’s more convenient and less expensive (initially) to install the pump this way, but it could cost you down the road. If you have an open-air pump, you may be in the market for repair parts or even a whole new pump.

“We are currently getting a lot of calls for replacement parts on well pumps,” according to PumpProducts.com expert Lee. “What happens is that certain parts of outdoor pumps crack when the water freezes. That’s why it’s so important to drain those pumps before the winter.”

This process occurs when the water running through the pump and pipes freezes. When liquid water freeze it expands. This is due to the tendency of hydrogen atoms in the water molecules to bond as the temperature decreases; there is less thermal energy to shake and move the bonds. However, you don’t need to know the science to see that your pump casing is cracked. Thankfully, PumpProducts.com carries a plethora of repair parts to help get your pump up and running again.

Pump Repair Parts for Winter Recovery

Common parts that need replacing, due to water freezing, include the pump casing, gaskets, and the mechanical seal. These are pump components that sit together near the inlet of the pump and interact with the water. Once the casing is cracked, it is easy for the ice to expand and seep into other parts of the pump as well. The gaskets and mechanical seal are elements that hold the entire mechanism together. Since we commonly get calls about the Goulds J+/JS+ series, we will use those repair parts as the example case.

Casings: The casing or volute is technically the outer shell that holds the pump mechanism together. It is essentially the first line of defense for protecting the pump from the elements. If your casing is cracked, it won’t be long before the rest of the pump starts to fail. The casing replacement for all J+ models is the 1K311, while the replacement for the JS+ series is the 1K333.

Gaskets: A gasket is simply a part that fills the space between two surfaces so they can connect. The gasket is important for keeping the pump head secure and in place. The replacement gasket for the J+ series is the 5K108.

Mechanical Seal: The mechanical seal is one of the most important parts of a pump as it keeps the motor separate from the volute. It is also an extremely sensitive component and thus one that often needs replacing. Both the J+ and JS+ series use the 10K10 seal which combines a rotary seal face and a stationary seal face.

Those are just some of the most common repair parts we dispense during this time of year. Be sure to examine your pump thoroughly for signs of cracking in other components.

Can Your Sump Pump Handle the Flooding from Melting Snow?

Another thing to keep in mind as winter finally draws to a close is melting snow. Depending on what part of the country you live in, mass amounts of snow will start to melt over the next few days. That snow becomes groundwater, which could quickly overwhelm your sump pump and flood your basement.

Be sure to check that your sump pump is still in good working order or consider buying a battery backup sump pump to make sure you’re prepared for the excess groundwater as well.

Pump Products sales specialists are standing by to help you find the right pump or part, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.