How to Recover a Lost Submersible Well Pump

[ruffdog]

Most times here they fill it with bentonite chips that is a type of clay (pg 4):

https://dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/DG/DG0016.pdf

 

[Egon]

Installation of the packer could have been required because of casing hole or leak.

If the packing cable is still attached the packer should pull out. If not the pvc should be easy to drill out.
The casing might have to be checked for corrosion. The top part of the casing may not be cemented in properly but does seal with the surrounding bedrock further down. The packer may have been used on a casing hole that would allow surface water into the well bore.
All supposition!!

 

[bdhsfz6]

Ahhhh... I live in such a house, but not to that extent. The owner before us bought a lot of stuff at surplus places and mixed but not matched a lot of things. Questionable to down right dangerous electrical and plumbing. But it has good bones, at least the one's he didn't cut into, so it was well worth the work to get it in shape.

Thanks for the background.

Nothing wrong with building a house like this Moss and I didn't mean to criticize the concept. In this case however, the structure wasn't maintained and far from a marketable dwelling. The property was more valuable to me as additional acreage with a barn for storage.

 

[Paddy]

How deep is the top of the pipe? I would think a pen light on a cord and this number could be had.

Then, is it soil or rock down to that level? Soil, Dig a hole, cut the casing to expose the pipe. Pull well pipe, weld new casing, fill hole? replace pump

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Do you have livestock and a creek? Now, I'm just throwing this idea out there, not saying I'd do it and don't know if Pennsylvania has this program.
We have new neighbors who have horses, goats, cows. Virginia state installed a new high tensile fence along their creek 10 feet away and drilled a well near their barn at no cost. The idea is (and stupid taxpayer funded waste of money in my opinion) they want to keep livestock excrement out of the creek since eventually that water ends up in the Chesapeake bay.
I could do it here getting a free fence, free well. Another farmer neighbor & friend said he would never do that since he doesn't like government interventions.
Just throwing it out there.
Maybe another idea if you have a pond or creek pump from it to barn. A hydraulic ram actually you could pump for free!

 

[bdhsfz6]

I didn't think this thread would generate so much interest. Since it has, here are a few pics which might better explain the situation and answer a few questions.

Location:

Excavation:

Broken pitless adapter and hole where it entered the casing:

A view inside casing showing the packer.

It appears to be a foot or so below the hole for the pitless adapter and 4 - 5 feet below the well head. The support cables were hanging loose in the casing. I was able to grab them to get them out of the way. They are slack and not holding any weight. I pulled hard by hand but wasn't able to move the packer. There appears to be clearance between the packer and casing but it's wedged in place. Pulling hard on the cables will just break off the PVC collar. I might be able to lower a grapple into the packer bore and grab the lower edge if the supply pipe isn't in the way. The casing could be damaged if I do get it out though. You can see from the above pics how corroded the casing is. I'll have to ask the well guys when they come back next week.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Do you have livestock and a creek? Now, I'm just throwing this idea out there, not saying I'd do it and don't know if Pennsylvania has this program.
We have new neighbors who have horses, goats, cows. Virginia state installed a new high tensile fence along their creek 10 feet away and drilled a well near their barn at no cost. The idea is (and stupid taxpayer funded waste of money in my opinion) they want to keep livestock excrement out of the creek since eventually that water ends up in the Chesapeake bay.
I could do it here getting a free fence, free well. Another farmer neighbor & friend said he would never do that since he doesn't like government interventions.
Just throwing it out there.
Maybe another idea if you have a pond or creek pump from it to barn. A hydraulic ram actually you could pump for free!

We are in the Chesapeake watershed but located on top of a hill. Unfortunately, there is no nearby stream.

 

[mrmikey]

Good pics, not the reason for, I mean the quality .
Explain to me what the purpose of the packer is? My apologies if it's already been explained and I missed it......Mike

 

[plowhog]

You can see from the above pics how corroded the casing is. I'll have to ask the well guys when they come back next week.

Thank you so much for the pix. Explains a lot.

btw I mentioned your predicament to my wife. She suggested using a toilet plunger ....