Total Water Problem

[Elvis757]

A litte background on the system and the situation. We have an old farm house with what I call an old farm well. The well is located approximately 270 feet from the house with an elevation drop of about 22-25 feet. The well is part of a natural spring, and from the top of the water, where it flows out into a stream, the pipe extends into the water 6-7 feet to draw the water for the house. Not the optimal situation, but I am trying to fix the current problem and avoid a new well, until it is more affordable for us.

The problem: About two weeks ago the water pump in our house started cycling faster and faster until it was cycling every minute or so. At this point I shut the pump off and the pressure dropped to 0 as I could hear all the water in the house drain from the pipes.

Thinking a foot valve, I changed the check valve at the bottom of the well. Reprimmed the pump and voila', the same problem of constant cycling continued. I shut the pump off agian, and again enjoyed the sound of all my water draining from the pipes in the house.

Thinking now that I had a crack or hole in the system which was under water (as I was drawing water) I pressurized the system with air at 15 psi and found a significant leak about 6 feet from the well (yes under water). So I spliced the line, with a new line, rechecked the system with air and found no leaks (yaaaa!). Repeat the prime process and it looked like we were out of hot water (pun intended). The water ran properly for the entire evening, without problem. Suspiciously satisfied, we went to bed.

The next morning my suspicions were then realized, as the pump began to cycle after some water use and did not shut off . I went to watch the pressure gauge and the pump was cycling to 20 psi but was not gaining anymore pressure. Again I shut the pump down, expecting to hear the joyful sounds of water drain from my house, but it did not. Currently I turn the pump on when we need to use the water, and when I turn it off, the gauge drops to 0, but each time I turn it on, the gauge snaps immediately to 18-20 psi, it just doesn't gain any pressure after that. We have been repeating this process and it does not seem to be getting any worse, even after the system is shut down for 8 hours or more.

My thoughts are 1. the pump is shot and I need a new pump, which leads me to a new question. What kind of "in the house" pump do I need to draw water properly to the house (270ft with 25ft elevation)? or 2. there is still a leak in the system, one that appears only after put under pressure, but doesn't leak otherwise, which led to losing some of the prime and not allowing the pump to function properly. After that, I have no idea, but I am learning more about wells and water systems, than I ever wanted to.

I have also checked the water tank, and have shut it off (via a valve) during this escapade to rule out the tank being part of the problem.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, J.Wells (and that is my real last name)

[joed]

If this is a jet pump you need to remove and inspect the ejector. A small piece of dirt or stone stuck in the ejecter nozzle will cause this problem.

[Gary Slusser]

And you also need to check and adjust the air pressure in the pressure tank if needed. The 18-20 psi when turning on the pump says it is set at 18 or 20 psi. If you are running the pump at 20-40, then 19-18 is correct with no water in the tank when you check the pressure. For 30/50 psi you need 29-28 psi with no water in the tank.

The valve you shut going to the tank... if it is a gate valve, it may not be fully open or otherwise broken.

[Bumblerazz]

Joed has it on the nose. Were you careful when splicing the line together not to let any soil, rocks or loose pieces get into the pipe? This kind of material will definitely cause damage to the vains of a jet pump causing it to go only to a max pressure (in your case 20psi, though I think Gary is quite right about the base pressure of your pressure tank, if it is a 'bladder' tank).

Similar problems with other types of pumps, but usually caused by a blocked inlet, either at the foot valve or somewhere along the line to the pump. A piston pump can withstand more silt and garbage, but eventually they too will wear their leathers and be unable pump up.

Be sure when you restart your system to open the valve to the pressure tank again. If you don't the pump will definitely run continuously until the tap is off or the toilet is full.

[Elvis757]

Thanks for the info. I will start workingon those options immediately and let you guys know if we are fixed and how we got there. I can tell you that I did try my best to keep the line clear with plastice bags on the end of the lines, but I was working under water and could not see nor guarantee that nothing got into the system. Again, thank you and I will let you know. J.Wells

[Elvis757]

Just to let everyone know that you were all correct. After removing the pump and taking it apart, we found not one , but two small pebbles in the tube, the "leathers" totally shot and the inards of the pump caked with what some have called jurasic period sediment. Needless to say I bought a new pump and installed it, though it has needed some tweeking, it is working well.

Please don't be mad, but I did get a Lowes China special. I know the old pump can be rebuilt and will order a rebuild kit to have the old pump as a back up, but if I let the water problem persist for any more time, I am afraid my wife would have divorced me, which is why it was hard not to let the problem persist for a few more days. But the kids needed the water, so I had to do it.

Thank you again, your help was much appreciated, J.Wells

[Bumblerazz]

Glad to hear that it all worked out for you.

The Lowes pump should last you for awhile, though the rebuild is a good idea. I would in fact fix and put it back into service and use the Lowes as the back up.

I might also, if sediment is a consistent problem, put an in line, high flow, sediment filter. They are pretty cheap (in comparison to constantly fixing/replacing a pump) and can lengthen the life of your pump significantly. That, or buy a submersible "sand-handler" pump.

[Elvis757]

Thanks, I will look into those options. In time I will have to overhaul the whole system and the sediment filter sounds like a good idea.

[GarryVernne]

Is the pipe in the stream bed an open pipe or do you have a mesh/filter on it?