Winterization - Bilge Pump/Tube?

[jmb23802]

Was reading another thread here involving bilge issues and started thinking about winterization procedures. Does anyone drain their bilge pump tubing to prevent freezing of the tube and/or bilge pump in the winter?

Don't know if water stays in the tubing on the outbound side of the bilge pump (or within the bilge pump itself) but could see this as a freezing rupture problem if it does. My guess is the bilge pump does not seal up well enough to prevent drainback when the pump is not running but I'm sure there are some experts on here that can speak to this.

 

[oldjeep]

They seem to drain back to the pump and out. I've got a bilge pump and 8 ballast pumps that are essentially bilge pumps, don't have to do anything to them.

 

[Starcraft5834]

I'm with Jeep.......never did anything to mine, when the pump shuts off, whatever waters in there drains out........I'd say leave it alone

 

[thumpar]

I have never done anything to winterize my bilge pump.

 

[amanphoto]

I like to take my shop vac around the outside of the boat and suck the drains ports on the side of the boat (not the vent ports that are up high). This cleans out any leaves, hair or other junk that is in there. It also removes any water that might be trapped. It cleans out the shower sump very nicely. Just a thought.

 

[Twidget]

I had never thought about it. I would imagine everyone above is correct about the water draining back through the pump when it is shut down.

 

[Grub54891]

Some have a checkvalve to prevent drainback. Dosent hurt to look for it,usually closer to the pump. Loosen the clamp,drain,shop vac and done. Or just run some -50 through it.