Well died tonight

[turnkey4099]

As an aside, the well guys said I was extremely fortunate to get the 17yes and that most have a life of 7-8yrs. Pump was a Gould.

That estimate is way out of line. Mine is alos a Gould and is still doing great after 21 years. Had to have it pulled last year as galvanic corrosion had eaten a hole in the drop pipe just about the pump - nothing wrong with the pump.

Harry K

 

[coobie]

We made it 17yrs with the first pump.Our new 3/4hp pump cost $525 installed,well is 135ft.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

most plumbers can replace a pump, don't have to just go to well drillers. Last time I had a problem it was the pressure switch. So far in 17 yrs I have had to pull my pump twice, wiring problems both times where the torque of the pump had caused the wiring to rub. Mine is 200' and I pull it myself with my wife helping.

 

[MarkF48]

Not sure how standard these are on install, but when I did my system years ago I put in a pressure switch that has a low pressure cutoff. If the system goes below a preset pressure it kills power to the pump. It needs to be manually reset to get the pump running and bring pressure back up. It can save the pump from burn out if the well runs dry due to a broken line or low water level.

Square D by Schneider Electric FSG2J24M4CP 40-60 PSI Pumptrol Water Pressure Switch with Low Pressure Cut-Off - Sump Pumps - Amazon.com

 

[brokenknee]

The well guys made it out today Replaced the pump, also had them replace the wire as there was a few places that were questionable. The pump they pulled was manufactured in 1998; assuming it was put in service that year or 1999 that would make the pump about 15 or 16 years old. When I asked him how long a pump should last he said it is like any "appliance". Warranty on pump is five years, one year labor.

Cost was 677.76 including labor.

 

[Billrog]

Good to hear you got a decent price and your back in business with water:thumbsup:

 

[Professor Marvel]

7-8 years is way less than any of my well pumps have lasted. Have 5 properties to keep track of (family, business etc) and all have lasted way longer than that. In fact since 1985 I have only replaced one. I am sure I just jinxed myself. The well in the house I live in has developed an issue with the pressure tank. About every 6-12 months for the last couple years I have blown some water out and repressurized the tank. I know I need to replace it but so far this has just been simpler. I do realize that that is causing undo starts on the pump. Sure I will pay for that eventually.
Your price was completely reasonable.

 

[lakngulf]

The well guys made it out today Replaced the pump, also had them replace the wire as there was a few places that were questionable. The pump they pulled was manufactured in 1998; assuming it was put in service that year or 1999 that would make the pump about 15 or 16 years old. When I asked him how long a pump should last he said it is like any "appliance". Warranty on pump is five years, one year labor.

Cost was 677.76 including labor.

Glad you got it fixed, and for reasonable charge. Just curious, how do they handle all that length of pipe? Or do they cut and resplice?

 

[Branchchipper]

Coincidentally, we just completely rehabbed our 200'+ well and supply system. The pump was the original for that well- a 1965 Berkeley, 1 hp. It was still operating without issue. However, we discovered as they pulled the pump up that the triple wire supply was bare in numerous places due to corrosion and wear. If it had been the now-required 4-wire line with ground, it would have shorted years ago. The steel pipe was also pretty bad in places. It was nice to see modern plastic pipe with stainless couplings going back down the hole. It cost a bit over $3500 for the pump, pipe, wiring, new well head, pressure tank and components, wiring and labor. They used a dandy one-ton truck with boom, and, just like on an oil rig, pulled up the whole line to the next coupling, clamped just below it, spun off the coupling and set that section aside. Two guys made quick work of it all. They said ours was not the first pump they'd seen that lasted that long, but I'm guessing that they don't make 'em like they used to.... We'll see!

 

[avillahdw]

Not to deviate from OP original, but I have seen several posts mention a 4-wire pump being required. Whose requirement is this? City? State? All pumps manufactured in approximately the past 20 years have been manufactured with ground wires per NEC. We sell, on average, 175-200 pumps per year through my hardware store and all I stock are the 3 wire pumps that do not require control boxes. My 22 years as a licensed well contractor and installer has convinced me that we experience fewer problems with these than 4wire units. 4 wire units have their advantages in well 300'+ but, personally speaking, give me a 3 wire any day.

 

[tomcat7359]

Sounds like a very reasonable cost for the repair.. Glad you are back up and running...

 

[brokenknee]

Glad you got it fixed, and for reasonable charge. Just curious, how do they handle all that length of pipe? Or do they cut and resplice?

It was the black poly pipe you see used in sprinkler systems; once they took the cap off they were able to pull it out by hand. I did assist, but the two of them were more than capable of pulling it out themselves. My pump was set at sixty feet. they say they can usually pull them out by hand with the poly pipe up to about 200 feet. Now these were two young guys in good shape; asked them if they wanted a ladder to get down in to the pit, they said no and just hoped down. Now I may have been able to jump down there but never would have gotten out without a ladder.

They did have a rig on the back of their truck to pull ridged pipe, but said it does not work for the poly pipe. I did ask what type of pipe they use when installing a well and he said schedule 80 PVC in 20 foot lengths.

I may have him back this summer to put in a new supply line to the house. They will dig in a new line, fill in the pit and make it a pitiless and move the pressure tank inside for between $1200 and $1500. I have a slab house so they will need to bore under the house. Water pressure has been an issue since I bought the place. Originally they used a 3/4 galvanized pipe, he said it most likely only has an opening maybe a little bigger than a pencil.

 

[brokenknee]

Not to deviate from OP original, but I have seen several posts mention a 4-wire pump being required. Whose requirement is this? City? State? All pumps manufactured in approximately the past 20 years have been manufactured with ground wires per NEC. We sell, on average, 175-200 pumps per year through my hardware store and all I stock are the 3 wire pumps that do not require control boxes. My 22 years as a licensed well contractor and installer has convinced me that we experience fewer problems with these than 4wire units. 4 wire units have their advantages in well 300'+ but, personally speaking, give me a 3 wire any day.

I also wondered about this; well guy did not say anything about having to upgrade, but then no building permits are required were I live. What is the purpose of the controller? Just an added safety? The county does regulate septic systems though.

 

[dave1949]

All's well that ends well. :laughing:

Couldn't resist. Glad you are back in business.

I have a question about your well pit. Does it not freeze because of the 6' depth, or do you have some heat in the pit? I assume it has an insulated cover? Thanks.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

What is the purpose of the controller? Just an added safety?

My well is 380' deep and the pump sits at 360', but even with all that depth, starting in the late summer the well casing will run dry after the pump runs for a minute or so. Without a controller the pump would overspeed and burn out. The controller senses the overspeed condition and shuts the pump off for a programmable number of minutes before turning it back on again. The same controller also turns the pump off with the 2500 gallon storage tank is full, or if it senses a short in the wiring to the pump.

 

[Billrog]

Brokenknee I would defiantly follow up on the pitiless adapter and replacing the galv. pipe & the cushion tank inside the home. This is your most trouble free option and give you some piece of mind.

 

[SPIKER]

IF you move to having the pressure tank INSIDE the home then that can help IF the galv pipe is getting reduced dia from internal pipe diameter reduction from scale buildup. Not that it matters much but could get you more years without having to re-run that line.

Mark

 

[buckeyefarmer]

glad you got it fixed quick.

 

[turnkey4099]

IF you move to having the pressure tank INSIDE the home then that can help IF the galv pipe is getting reduced dia from internal pipe diameter reduction from scale buildup. Not that it matters much but could get you more years without having to re-run that line.

Mark

Yep, he would have normal pressure until the tank emptied and the pump kicked in.

Harry K

 

[Cat_Driver]

Mine quit working, I was too bust to meet the well guy, so wife went to meet him. Told her it was $1000.00 to fix it, needed a pressure switch. There was a new switch sitting in the control panel - YET he needed to order one, said it would be 10 days. I went over to the pump, unscrewed the broken switch ( 4 turns left with the crescent wrench) replaced it with the new one sitting there ( 4 turns right with the crescent wrench ) FIXED. Took less than five minutes. WOW $200.00 a MINUTE, or $12,000 an hour for labor. Nice work if you can get it.
I called and asked WHY $1,000.00 to fix the pump. He said he needed to buy the part and reprogram the controller.
WHY, WHY, WHY do scum like this have to rip people off. Is there any honest business people out there any more?