Valveman
Platinum Member
I worked on my first water well in 1968. Still remember it. That makes it what, 54 years now. Wow I am getting old. Anyway I am sorry for your problem and it is a BIG problem. I see the same thing in other occupations as well, but especially in the water pump and drilling business because I see it everyday. In my life I have known and been mentored by a lot of really good pump guys and drillers. Sadly, I am about the only one left. When I need help with a pump system there is no longer anyone I can call. I am the only old guy left. Drilling and pumps are occupations you cannot learn in school. If you don't have an old guy to mentor you, everything is learned the hard way.
There is an old saying about being "colder than a well diggers butt". It is very true. But if it isn't cold. it is hotter than heck, raining, snowing, wind blowing, or something as working outside your always at the mercy of the elements. When you are not standing in pouring rain you are working in a cramped vault, crawl space, or dilapidated well house. Also, you won't find a job that is any harder, has longer hours, gets you any dirtier, and receives less thanks than a pump and well person. Nobody ever calls a pump man and tells them how good a job they did. The pump man only hears from people who are mad and out of water. Plus, to be a driller or pump man yo also need to be a welder, mechanic, electrician, plumber, manager, as well as an accountant, book keeper, and all around business person. Not many people like working that hard anymore.
Having been selling Cycle Stop Valves to pump guys all over the world for 30 years now, I have a LOT of experience with them. I hate to say it but the vast majority, I might even say 99% have no clue what they are doing. They just keep changing parts and charging you until it finally works. The only training most of them get is from the pump manufacturers giving classes on how to sell the most profitable items. This is always what is the worst for the homeowner. The new training is mostly how to sell and install variable speed pumps. The teach these guys they don't even need to know anything about pumps. They tell them the VFD or variable speed pump will make any pump do any job, which is far from the truth. They need digital displays and apps on their phones to tell them if and what the problems are. None of them know how to use an multi-meter or diagnose anything. Just pull out the old, install new expensive stuff, and hand the customer the bill. Variable speed pumps are designed to get the most money out of a homeowner as possible for a water system. They even hype them up as saving energy, when they actually use more energy than a pressure tank system.
Anyway, I will get off my soapbox. But the only way to have a good water system is to educate yourself on the subject. If you can't DIY, when the pump man shows up you need to be able to protect yourself from incompetence and misinformation. If you just let the pump man do it the way he wants you are usually being screwed.
There is an old saying about being "colder than a well diggers butt". It is very true. But if it isn't cold. it is hotter than heck, raining, snowing, wind blowing, or something as working outside your always at the mercy of the elements. When you are not standing in pouring rain you are working in a cramped vault, crawl space, or dilapidated well house. Also, you won't find a job that is any harder, has longer hours, gets you any dirtier, and receives less thanks than a pump and well person. Nobody ever calls a pump man and tells them how good a job they did. The pump man only hears from people who are mad and out of water. Plus, to be a driller or pump man yo also need to be a welder, mechanic, electrician, plumber, manager, as well as an accountant, book keeper, and all around business person. Not many people like working that hard anymore.
Having been selling Cycle Stop Valves to pump guys all over the world for 30 years now, I have a LOT of experience with them. I hate to say it but the vast majority, I might even say 99% have no clue what they are doing. They just keep changing parts and charging you until it finally works. The only training most of them get is from the pump manufacturers giving classes on how to sell the most profitable items. This is always what is the worst for the homeowner. The new training is mostly how to sell and install variable speed pumps. The teach these guys they don't even need to know anything about pumps. They tell them the VFD or variable speed pump will make any pump do any job, which is far from the truth. They need digital displays and apps on their phones to tell them if and what the problems are. None of them know how to use an multi-meter or diagnose anything. Just pull out the old, install new expensive stuff, and hand the customer the bill. Variable speed pumps are designed to get the most money out of a homeowner as possible for a water system. They even hype them up as saving energy, when they actually use more energy than a pressure tank system.
Anyway, I will get off my soapbox. But the only way to have a good water system is to educate yourself on the subject. If you can't DIY, when the pump man shows up you need to be able to protect yourself from incompetence and misinformation. If you just let the pump man do it the way he wants you are usually being screwed.
