Water well pump kaput and can't get to it

[TheGoose]

I doubt he had a pitless adapter.

The cost is probably due to the fact that he's got a 5-HP pump. It also wouldn't surprise me to learn that he had to replace some of the drop pipe and cable.

What kind of tool do you use to get the pump free from the adapter that is down in the well? It almost looks like a broom handle that screws onto the pipe or something.

 

[Soundguy]

one would hope at that price!

 

[Jimbrown]

I have pvc pipe in my well but is special pipe for wells and the connectors are brass and screw together.

 

[Alan L.]

I doubt he had a pitless adapter.

The cost is probably due to the fact that he's got a 5-HP pump. It also wouldn't surprise me to learn that he had to replace some of the drop pipe and cable.

No cable or pipe had to replaced - all in good shape. The pump is about $1500 and the motor $1500. The motor was the problem and was even leaking some oil. They NEVER replace a pump without a motor. Control box was also toast and its $500. Labor $1665 and sales tax $300+. I looked up the price of the pump and motor and that is about right. Its not like you can go to Home Depot or Walmart and get one of these for less than retail. The well driller sort of has you by the ying yang when you are out of water and they know it. Just hard to believe that pump/motor has doubled in 8 years - that is nearly 10% inflation. The government says we have almost no inflation...who are they kidding.

 

[Alan L.]

Sorry to hear of the bad news. That's twice what I would have expected.

I wouldn't put any rock down until the ground dries up. Rock is expensive and if you are laying it in mud, you are just throwing money away. Once it dries up, add more soil and build up a crown. Pay attention where you are sending the water and how it will get around what you have built up. Compact the soil really well and then add rock. Crushed limestone, or roadbase that is at least four inches thick will lock together to form a solid surface strong enough to support heavy traffic. Thicker will last longer.

If you have a particularly bad spot, such as a hole or puddle that wont dry up, you can dig it out and haul it off to dry out, then fill with dry material. It's more work, but sometimes that's what has to be done.

Eddie

Eddie that is about double what I expected too. Well driller have very little competition around here - I know of 2 within 35 miles and the "other" one was WAY more expensive in 2000 when I originally contracted to do my well. When you are out of water it is hard to call for bids, unfortunately.

 

[turnkey4099]

What kind of tool do you use to get the pump free from the adapter that is down in the well? It almost looks like a broom handle that screws onto the pipe or something.

That is about it, screws into the top of the fitting, pull up and it comes free from the sloping fitting. Dose with some kind of goop before reinstalling.

Harry K