How to Protect Pond Pumps

Clean the submersible pump before storing.

Ponds are an attractive feature that can add much needed vigor to a garden. However, you'll need to protect your submersible pump in the winter. After the initial installation of a pond, the cost of pond upkeep is minimal, unless you need to replace your submersible pump or the liner itself. A little preparation and some planning will keep your submersible pump working for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Submersible pump Water hose

Instructions

1. Check the weather forecast and mark your calendar. As the weather starts to cool, the fish will begin to spend less time at the surface of the water and the lilies will stop blooming. Take this as a sign and plan a day to take out your pump.

2. Remove submersible pumps from the water before penetrating frosts cause the water to freeze deeply, unless it is below the ice line and needs to sustain a biological filter, which some gardeners prefer to keep working throughout the winter. If you live in a place that has a mild winter where the water never freezes, you could leave the pump submerged, but it is not recommended.

3. Make sure all the water is drained from the pump. If your pump is an external one, make sure the system is drained. If possible, pull the pump from the pond, tilt it at a slight angle to drain and leave it overnight or even a full day. If the pump is coated with algae or mud, go to the next step and then do this step.

4. Clean the pump. It will probably be covered with algae, which can be scrubbed off with a stiff brush. It is important to the life of you pump that you clean it thoroughly before you put it away. Submersible pumps can be very expensive, and you don't want to replace the pump in the spring.

5. Take out the filter. Some pumps use filters while others have built-in screens. You will need to either replace it with a new one or clean it following the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Read the manufacturer's instructions and carry out any other servicing that is necessary before storing the pump in a dry place.

7. Service the pump. If you need to send the pump away for a service, do it now instead of waiting until spring.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to send the pump away for a service, do it now instead of waiting until spring.

• Never let your submersible pump run without water flowing through it.