Update on my water woes

woadleaf · #1 08/12/08, 06:32 AM

Where we left off:

Jet pump ran overtime, I shut it off one morning, lost prime, and ran it dry. Toilet valve leak, foot valve leak and tank pressure problem all suspects. Toilet flushing mechanism replaced (but untested due to lack of water).

Here's the update:

We attempted to prime the old pump, that didn't work out. The old gauge was impossible to remove, so we primed the well line, and attempted to prime the pump via the first valve. We got a new pump. We installed it (yay us!), we primed it (double yay us, that was hard). We had running water for a little while! The toilet is brilliant, new flushing mechanism works great. Significantly, the pump DID run when it shouldn't, but not as often as the old one toward the end. Shortly after the fuse blew (was probably damaged). Lost prime. Re-primed it, got water through, but it wouldn't "catch", the pressure wouldn't build high enough, and the pump would not shut off on its own. We shut it off so we're back to no water. Am I right that the foot valve is not longer leaking but completely shot? When we were filling the pump, we saw the water level falling before we replaced the cap.

We found the well. It was drilled at least 40 years ago when it wasn't mandatory to continue the pipe up and cap it above ground, so it was completely "lost". We rented a meter to locate the underground cap, and dug down 6 feet. Luckily, it isn't far from the house, and right in the middle of where I wanted a fruit garden so the loss of lawn is no big deal.

Here's the big question: should we attempt to replace the foot valve ourselves? Is it straight forward? DH, at this point, is completely disheartened, if it isn't dead easy, I don't think he'll go for it. According to our friend the plumber, it's wise to replace "everything" while we're at it, it being at the same age as the broken foot valve, which I take to mean the piping?

And here's a completely frivolous question on top of everything: can I put a manual pump on the same well? I'd like one for the garden, and the well is in a very accessible location.

Thanks so much for your help and feedback!

AJ Williams · #2 08/12/08, 07:01 AM

If you can afford to do it change everything while you have it out. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Manual pump shouldn't be a problem if done properly.

watcher · #3 08/12/08, 07:05 AM

Why not put a check valve right at the pump? If you are using a jet pump the well isn't that deep so a check valve at the top should be enough to prevent the water from draining back. It worked on the wells we used as a kid.

It should be no problem to do. You add it right at the pump so there's no need to dig up anything. Also its cheaper and easier than trying to pull the well pipe and putting a valve on the bottom then putting it back.

agmantoo · #4 08/12/08, 07:16 AM

woadleaf,
Being unable to get the defective pressure gauge removed from the plumbing represents the level of the experience and the tools on hand. You are in over your heads. Being unable to separate the various inputs and applying those that need to go your direction farther complicates your situation. You need a well person and being unable to access one get the plumber. I am not going to get myself deeper involved as I have little confidence that I can work over the internet to get your problem resolved.

cfabe · #5 08/12/08, 07:28 AM

Good work on locating the well. At this point if you can in any way afford it I think you'd be best off to get a well company in there and rebuild the system for you. They can test the well's recovery rate to make sure it's still in good condition, extend the casing up to the surface per current code, replace the piping & foot valve, and make sure the pump & pressure tank is set up properly. It will be a bit of an expense but you'll be set for a good long while. Sometimes it makes sense to get things done right and be done with them. You will have at least saved a good ammount of money by locating & uncovering the well yourself.

woadleaf · #6 08/12/08, 12:08 PM

check valve at the pump? I'll have to ask the plumber about that one, thanks.

It isn't a matter of know how or tools, the gauge on the old pump is a permanent fixture, it is not screwed in, it sits on a solid cylindric bar. We could have *broken* it off, but that would not have done any good. This pump is easily 40 years old, the exterior is covered in rust.

watcher · #7 08/12/08, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woadleaf

check valve at the pump? I'll have to ask the plumber about that one, thanks.

Why bother with a plumber? I'd buy one and put it on myself and see if it fixes the problem. You should be able to find a check valve at any local hardware store for 15 bucks or so for a PVC one or a brass one for about twice that. A plumber is going to charge you way more than that just to show up. Even if it doesn't fix the problem you can use it on any system you have to have put in.

woadleaf · #8 08/13/08, 06:08 AM

WE GOT IT! Water is running again.

Had a great conversation with the plumber (a friend of the family), and he recommended the check valve as well. Said it might not work, that air in the pipe might not let any water through, but if it does, there's no need to bother with the well. He said the funny thing with the pressure we had the night before is just one of those things, he would have started playing with the control screw or opened a valve at that point, or just tried again.

We got the check valve on, and worked on priming it for half an hour (shortest time yet, we're getting quite good at this), and we got water. Had a celebratory shower. What a crazy five days! I'm pleased we managed on our own, and saved a pile of money, but really, the plumber wasn't able to come for at least a week (from last thursday) he was so over-booked, so we got it going much sooner than he would have been able.

cfabe · #9 08/13/08, 06:17 AM

That's great! I hope it continues to give you good service for a long time. And now you know where the well is if you ever do need to service it. Always a good thing to know. Make sure to mark it permanently or make a written record of it's location so you can locate it easily agian.