Winter Tip # 4

A Better Solution to Prevent Sumps from Freezing

For shops with minimal heating during the winter months it is possible to keep your coolant from freezing without resorting to harmful measures like adding antifreeze. You don’t have to heat your entire facility to keep cutting fluid from freezing, just the sump.

The most effective way to do this is with heat tape. Heat tape (or heating cables) is commonly used to prevent water pipes and gutters from freezing; heat tape intended for gutter use are typically a little heavier-duty than the type for water pipes and therefore work better on large sumps.

To install heat tape simply wrap the tape around the outside of your sump using electrical tape to hold it in place. Continue wrapping the sump in two inch increments until all four sides are covered. Cover the heat-tape wrapped sump with insulation, MAKE SURE that the insulation you use is heat and water resistant, Thermwell Foam and Foil Duct Insulation (12″ W x 15′ L x 1/8″ thick, available at Lowe’s) is the perfect size for this job. BE CAREFUL because not all heat tapes are intended to be used with insulation so make sure that you read the instructions on the tape carefully so that you don’t accidentally start a fire.

Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s carry a number of different types of water-pipe heat tape but gutter heat tape isn’t as readily available at these stores so your best bet is an online search.

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