So, The Submersible Well Pump Took A Dump...

[maple1]

GPS coords can vary by a few metres depending on the unit & the surroundings. I would likely tape some distances to permanent objects in the area, or house corners.

Ditto the metal detector. Hopefully there is a casing it would pick up.

 

[Lake Girl]

Depending on materials, once found, I would drive a metal locator stake along side it so it makes life easier in the future.

 

[firefighterjake]

As mentioned . . . unless you have a Trimble GPSr made for surveying I would go with another option of marking out the well . . . my hand held Garmin and Magellans are at best accurate to within 10 feet and on most days it's more like 15-50 feet. My well casing sticks up out of the ground . . . so I plunked a wishing well over the top!

 

[mwhitnee]

You got no info on the well at time of purchase?

I will have to look at my inspection report and sale documents.

 

[mwhitnee]

My well may be just outside the perimeter of the yard or something- I have no idea. My mother has a metal detector- I think I can get that from her. I think the feed line is copper, does that signify how old it is?

 

[Dix]

Tank location, in my case, gives a good sense of where the well is. Usually straight out from the tank, following the incoming line to the outside.

Is the pump submersible, or in the basement / area where the tank is?

 

[mwhitnee]

There is no pump in the basement, just a copper line going into a pressure tank. I can't imagine how they would replace the line if it broke- never mind destroying the retaining wall.

I'm assuming the line goes under the retaining wall and out into the middle of the back yard, but I could be wrong. Calling the town hall today to see if they have any info on it. I'll try to get pictures-opening the pool yesterday and mowing the lawn had me busy until dark!

 

[maple1]

How far away is the retaining wall from the house? The well might be just outside your basement wall - if you've got a submersible pump I'd suspect it's a drilled well with a casing, which should be able to be found with a good metal detector & experienced used. No guarantees though.

Usually well & septic (if you've got a septic system) details are front & center in a house transaction.

 

[mwhitnee]

How far? Maybe 10 feet. If it was right outside the house foundation that would be ideal! I never thought it could be right there. The area between the wall and the house is pea gravel.

It's kind of an interesting set up in the back as the yard it sloping towards the lake (although not annoyingly so). The inlet points to the back of the house. Septic was definitely in the front but I'm tied in now.

 

[Lake Girl]

For our lake, water is drawn directly from the lake using a plastic line usually 1 to 1-1/4" line. Some have submersible; some have foot valve and pump under the house. The copper line is curious as it would be subject to corrosion forces and likely not the best for exterior. Any filtration/treatment system near to inlet line?

Sewer is tied in to municipal treatment system?

 

[mwhitnee]

Yes in 11/14.

This is the only info from the town hall. Now I'm more scared- what a long pipeline. Why is it connected to the cess pool? Well info for dummies...

Sewer is tied in. I'm assuming the pump is in the indicated well area? There is no filtration system in yet.

 

[maple1]

I don't think that sketch means it's actually physically connected to the cesspool - looks more like a tie-line for the distance that's written beside it. I.e. it's 89' from one to the other along that theoretical line. +/-, like. That sketch should get you in the ballpark by first staking out the cesspool location using the first 2 distances from house/deck corners, then taping out the 89' from there under the deck to out back. Not quite how I'd have drawn it, but better than nothing likely.

Also on the second pic - looks like iron pipe coming thru the wall, to left of tank? Then copper out the other side to the house stuff? So maybe galvanized coming in? That's not the best stuff either.

 

[mwhitnee]

I don't think that sketch means it's actually physically connected to the cesspool - looks more like a tie-line for the distance that's written beside it. I.e. it's 89' from one to the other along that theoretical line. +/-, like. That sketch should get you in the ballpark by first staking out the cesspool location using the first 2 distances from house/deck corners, then taping out the 89' from there under the deck to out back. Not quite how I'd have drawn it, but better than nothing likely.

Also on the second pic - looks like iron pipe coming thru the wall, to left of tank? Then copper out the other side to the house stuff? So maybe galvanized coming in? That's not the best stuff either.

I took a real quick look at it over lunch, and yes the pipe looks galvanized rather than copper. And maple1 you are correct, those are the two permanent reference points, I didn't read the top of the paper.

Couple of other comments, I'm totally hijacking this thread, sorry, should I start another? This is on my mind because I had to do a little repair work on the jets in the pool and drop the water level and am filling it up as of yesterday. I let it run for 3-4 hours and then rest the pump and start it again...

 

[begreen]

See if you can find the company that put in the well system. Often there are just a few companies in the area that do this work. Ask about the galvanized pipe. It's hard to believe in this day that anyone would use that underground for a well connection, but possible.

 

[Dix]

Couple of other comments, I'm totally hijacking this thread, sorry, should I start another? This is on my mind because I had to do a little repair work on the jets in the pool and drop the water level and am filling it up as of yesterday. I let it run for 3-4 hours and then rest the pump and start it again...

Post away here, I don't mind It'll be a learning experience or us all.

My well is about 5 -7 feet directly outside the front of the house from the incoming line, and down just as deep (the incoming line, that is.)


FYI, I have the same tank, and similar set up. I took a pic of the incoming connection to the tank for you.

 

[Lake Girl]

Looks like the distance is roughly 49' from the back corner of the house +/- where it is measured 50' from on the square structure. Is that the septic tank or ?
If the line is galvanized, you should plan on replacing it. Likely a fairly old install on the well. Don't want to panic you but you may want to get water tested ... old lines like that have been known to leech lead into water supply depending on water ph. With high demand of refilling pool, it will clear out many sediments. Problem may arise with lower water flows.

Should be able to locate with metal detector depending on how deep it is buried and should lead you right to the well. Can you locate where the old "cess pool" is so you have another data point?

 

[mwhitnee]

Looks like the distance is roughly 49' from the back corner of the house +/- where it is measured 50' from on the square structure. Is that the septic tank or ?
If the line is galvanized, you should plan on replacing it. Likely a fairly old install on the well. Don't want to panic you but you may want to get water tested ... old lines like that have been known to leech lead into water supply depending on water ph. With high demand of refilling pool, it will clear out many sediments. Problem may arise with lower water flows.

Should be able to locate with metal detector depending on how deep it is buried and should lead you right to the well. Can you locate where the old "cess pool" is so you have another data point?

I did get the water tested (minimally) through free water testing (company sponsored) at Home Depot, it was high in calcium and the ph was a little high but nothing concerning. I don't know if it was tested for lead. I could have the company come out and do more water testing free of charge I think. I also researched other water testing companies and it's in my "house book" I am creating.

I have to look at that line one more time to confirm what the inlet is made of. Pool is full. Got to get the metal detector. I do pretty much know where the old cess pool is-it's now filled with gravel.

Well is probably an old install, built in 1931 with an addition roughly 14 years ago.

 

[mwhitnee]

Line looks like copper to me. And very heavy gauge pipe. Scraped the pipe, steel wool, Brasso.

Some good info on the pressure tank. I'll call them this week.

 

[begreen]

That's better

 

[mwhitnee]

Yup. Pump install 9 years ago- so not terrible.

Funny I just got an "outside water and sewer line" protection plan in the mail. $13 a month, which I probably won't do.

 

[Lake Girl]

Never hurts to know your system but it is good to hear that pump was installed in 2007. Still have a bit of time to figure it all out. Interesting that your in-line is copper though - would have thought they would use pvc pipe as zero corrosion issues.

 

[mwhitnee]

Never hurts to know your system but it is good to hear that pump was installed in 2007. Still have a bit of time to figure it all out. Interesting that your in-line is copper though - would have thought they would use pvc pipe as zero corrosion issues.

Yeah, I was thinking they just replaced the pump and not the line?

 

[Lake Girl]

Distance to intake is interesting ... 140 (148?). Sounds like a 100' drilled well if you figure 50+/- from the house. Been out with the metal detector yet?

 

[mwhitnee]

Distance to intake is interesting ... 140 (148?). Sounds like a 100' drilled well if you figure 50+/- from the house. Been out with the metal detector yet?

Gotta get to RI and get the metal detector from the parents. At least I'm narrowing things down, and I'm kinda happy about the copper line (as opposed to galvanized, wish it was a pvc line). I'm going to call the well company to see if they have any sketches or anything else useful. Then I'll spend a day(or hopefully 30 minutes) trying to find it.

Water pressure is fine after all the pool filling.

Edit: Called the well company they are going to try and get info for me.

 

[lml999]

Figured out last night while talking with the Dixette, that the pump is 25 years old. I'd say it owes me nothing !! Took them about 3 hours total.

Uh oh. We just moved into a 22 year old house...with a 22 year old well. I learned today that the pump in the basement was replaced 2 years ago. Wonder what else I have in store...