Topic: Re: No Water this time! Re: Water pouring uncontrollably into the House! (Read 2441 times)

WFP · « **on:** January 10, 2009, 12:48:56 PM »

Was in the basement cleaning up when the shop vac bumped into some of the plumbing....well at one point I was doing my best imitation of the Dutch Boy....

We are on a well and before the first shutoff valve, there is a gray electrical control box teeing off just before the tank...well this was a rusted piece that decided to break off!

I scrambled to get the shop vac in water mode, cover the leak with towels and then run up to the garage to kill the power to the pump all at the same time...then try to find a plumber to get here on Saturday...

I have two calls in and the first one here gets the job, one a plumber and one a well expert (who I have more faith in!) Hopefully within an hour.

Will take a pic shortly but would really like to se if they can add a shutoff before...and can't wait to find out if the will have a prolem priming it...

/Bill

Twolanerider · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2009, 12:54:42 PM »

Very sorry for the hassle Bill. Best of luck getting it sorted out quickly.

Screamin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2009, 01:23:29 PM »

My pressure switch decided to give up the ghost once. Was an awful ordeal. Good luck w/ the clean up.

WFP · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:09:40 PM »

Was lucky I was down there when it happened...finally got someone out there to repair...plumbing is not my forte...

Here is was it looks like...
see the duct tapt!

WFP · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:11:09 PM »

the guy told me they took a shortcut or were not paying attention and used a steel pipe here...hence the corrosion...wish I saw this sooner...

WFP · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:11:47 PM »

Duct tape saves the day!

WFP · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:13:01 PM »

Will be getting a new tank in March based on the tech's recommendation...

WFP · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:14:25 PM »

Lesson learned...should have noticed the corrosion sooner!

49445CVO · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:23:22 PM »

Wow that sucks and on a weekend none the less. I am happy you were there and able to get it fixed.

Topper

mr_magoo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:33:43 PM »

Good ole duct tape to the rescue.

Bubba · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:41:23 PM »

Wow Bill your luck is like my luck Replace a 7 year old heat pump with a new on and when I was putting up the Christmas I notice the Hot Water tank leaking which is also 7 years old. both units 1 year out of warranty.

So like you I'm

here. Just glad you found it as suppose to
finding you basement a swimming pool.

Good Luck.

JR · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:45:00 PM »

Hey Bill, at least you were down there when it happened. What a mess it could have been if it went when you weren't there. Duct tape....mans best friend!

Screamin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2009, 03:53:51 PM »

Another pressure switch bites the dust. Seems like they're generally the week link. BTW, my well pump is on a separate circut breaker for this very reason.

kb · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2009, 04:24:51 PM »

Bill You may want to replace the pressure guage too. KB

WFP · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2009, 04:44:04 PM »

Quote from: kb on January 10, 2009, 04:24:51 PM

Bill You may want to replace the pressure guage too. KB

Yup, the whole thing including fittings to the left and right from the tank tee...estimated at $900 although I will save some with the new pieces added today.

Quote from: Screamin on January 10, 2009, 03:53:51 PM

Another pressure switch bites the dust. Seems like they're generally the week link. BTW, my well pump is on a separate circut breaker for this very reason.

separate breaker here but if not around I do not have a water sensor to shut it off! Thinking about that now.

Quote from: JR on January 10, 2009, 03:45:00 PM

Hey Bill, at least you were down there when it happened. What a mess it could have been if it went when you weren't there. Duct tape....mans best friend!

Quote from: bubba on January 10, 2009, 03:41:23 PM

Wow Bill your luck is like my luck Replace a 7 year old heat pump with a new on and when I was putting up the Christmas I notice the Hot Water tank leaking which is also 7 years old. both units 1 year out of warranty. So like you I'm here. Just glad you found it as suppose to
finding you basement a swimming pool.

Good Luck.

Indoor swiming pool...now that is a thought!

Was really lucky to be home!

/Bill

Sean M Cary · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2009, 04:47:10 PM »

Quote from: WFP on January 10, 2009, 03:13:01 PM

Will be getting a new tank in March based on the tech's recommendation...

I always used PVC for my well in Florida - re-plumbed it several times due to various components crapping out at different intervals (pump, pressure tank, the valve at the well head...etc). PVC allowed me to make repairs fairly easy, and doesn't corrode.

It's actually pretty easy to plumb in a well once you do it. Having had a sprinkler system in So Fla for so long, got quite adept at PVC manipulation, plumbing in general - have redone more bath rooms then I can remember and even relocated a shower once.

I'm guilty of either being cheap or liking to do all my own work - so I do more then I probably should.

Hope it all goes well (no pun intended).

Sean

Screamin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2009, 04:50:21 PM »

"I do not have a water sensor to shut it off! Thinking about that now."

Now that you mention it that sounds like a good idea. Gives me something useful to do during our snow storm.

REGGAB · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2009, 05:02:17 PM »

Quote from: WFP on January 10, 2009, 12:48:56 PM

Was in the basement cleaning up when the shop vac bumped into some of the plumbing....well at one point I was doing my best imitation of the Dutch Boy....

We are on a well and before the first shutoff valve, there is a gray electrical control box teeing off just before the tank...well this was a rusted piece that decided to break off!

I scrambled to get the shop vac in water mode, cover the leak with towels and then run up to the garage to kill the power to the pump all at the same time...then try to find a plumber to get here on Saturday...

I have two calls in and the first one here gets the job, one a plumber and one a well expert (who I have more faith in!) Hopefully within an hour.

Will take a pic shortly but would really like to se if they can add a shutoff before...and can't wait to find out if the will have a prolem priming it...

/Bill

Bill,
I've been there. Best to ya man!

Henry

comfortablynumb · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2009, 06:05:41 PM »

Don't have a well but property has a very high water table,and neighborhood is located on underground spring(I found out AFTER I bought it), hence the 2nd sump I put in. Point is I bought 2 $5.00 alarms that run on 9 volt batteries that sit on the floor where you might get water.After waking up to a piercing whine which I thought was a smoke alarm,turned out the little booger went off when the hot water heater started to let go.No damage and a well spent $5.00.no pun intended.Good luck.

WFP · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2009, 07:23:29 PM »

Quote from: comfortablynumb on January 10, 2009, 06:05:41 PM

Don't have a well but property has a very high water table,and neighborhood is located on underground spring(I found out AFTER I bought it), hence the 2nd sump I put in. Point is I bought 2 $5.00 alarms that run on 9 volt batteries that sit on the floor where you might get water.After waking up to a piercing whine which I thought was a smoke alarm,turned out the little booger went off when the hot water heater started to let go.No damage and a well spent $5.00.no pun intended.Good luck.

Great idea!

hogasm · « **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2009, 08:11:59 PM »

For $900 Bill I could fly up to Boston, buy the parts, drink on your credit card for the weekend and save you a couple of dollars

ccr · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2009, 12:22:18 PM »

Quote from: comfortablynumb on January 10, 2009, 06:05:41 PM

Don't have a well but property has a very high water table,and neighborhood is located on underground spring(I found out AFTER I bought it), hence the 2nd sump I put in. Point is I bought 2 $5.00 alarms that run on 9 volt batteries that sit on the floor where you might get water.After waking up to a piercing whine which I thought was a smoke alarm,turned out the little booger went off when the hot water heater started to let go.No damage and a well spent $5.00.no pun intended.Good luck.

This is a good idea.

Bill, so sorry to hear about the mess.

Rooster · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2009, 12:39:24 PM »

I agree with Brian, simple setup, looks almost identical to the one at my old house.

OhioDave · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2009, 03:11:42 PM »

One of the benefit$$$$ of city water.....

Screamin · « **Reply #24 on:** January 11, 2009, 03:19:59 PM »

Quote from: OhioDave on January 11, 2009, 03:11:42 PM

One of the benefit$$$$ of city water.....

Amen Dave;

Been on a well and septic for 15 years and nothing but a PITA. If the wat / sew were out front I'd be the 1st hooked up.

WFP · « **Reply #25 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:06:23 AM »

Well,

I decided to resurrect this topic ...

Woke up this morning and went to take a shower...no water. That woke me up...ran down the basement...whew, no water on the floor...checked the pressure gauge on the line in from the well and it reads zero...time for a shower in a bottle....and time to call in the help...

Once the market shifts it's time to get off well and septic.

/Bill

FR8TRN · « **Reply #26 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:15:29 AM »

Quote from: WFP on January 10, 2009, 03:09:40 PM

Was lucky I was down there when it happened...finally got someone out there to repair...plumbing is not my forte...

Here is was it looks like...
see the duct tapt!

OH dang, just realized old topic.....nevermind...

WFP · « **Reply #27 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:28:23 AM »

Quote from: FR8TRN on August 18, 2009, 08:15:29 AM

OH dang, just realized old topic.....nevermind...

Sorry!

But Ironic that last time I could not stop the water and this time I have no water to stop!

Well guy will be out at t he house around 2 or 3 this afternoon.

Pump is 13-14 years old so that is first thought.

/Bill

Screamin · « **Reply #28 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:31:22 AM »

Fuse / circut breaker??

FR8TRN · « **Reply #29 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:36:59 AM »

Quote from: WFP on August 18, 2009, 08:28:23 AM

Sorry!

But Ironic that last time I could not stop the water and this time I have no water to stop!

Well guy will be out at t he house around 2 or 3 this afternoon.

Pump is 13-14 years old so that is first thought.

/Bill

Pump switch in the garage on???

Sean M Cary · « **Reply #30 on:** August 18, 2009, 09:26:41 AM »

Quote from: FR8TRN on August 18, 2009, 08:36:59 AM

Pump switch in the garage on???

Sometimes the well loses suction - had it happen at my house in Florida, the PVC glue at the connection to the well head, just gave way and broke the connection. Knuckleheads had bent the PVC to make it fit rather then dig the trench to match the angle.

Back to having a well at our new house.

Good luck with it.

WFP · « **Reply #31 on:** August 18, 2009, 10:03:33 AM »

Quote from: FR8TRN on August 18, 2009, 08:36:59 AM

Pump switch in the garage on???

Yup, checked

Quote from: Screamin on August 18, 2009, 08:31:22 AM

Fuse / circut breaker??

Yup, checked

Quote from: Florida Marine on August 18, 2009, 09:26:41 AM

Sometimes the well loses suction - had it happen at my house in Florida, the PVC glue at the connection to the well head, just gave way and broke the connection. Knuckleheads had bent the PVC to make it fit rather then dig the trench to match the angle.

Back to having a well at our new house.

Good luck with it.

Interesting thought, everything seemed secure and never had a problem maintaining pressure. Not even a trickle for the spigot in the basement...at least it has been a wet year so the fear of a dry well is low. I'm guessing a dead pump.

/Bill

ccr · « **Reply #32 on:** August 18, 2009, 11:21:19 AM »

Hope the solution is easy and inexpensive.

We've had record dry days so I'd be afraid of low water.

Glad you guys have had a lot of rain this year.

arcticdude · « **Reply #33 on:** August 19, 2009, 09:53:39 AM »

Pull the cover off the pressure switch- the gray box with the acorn nut on top. Make sure it's trying to turn the pump on. The spring in it should be under compression. You may just have gotten a bad pressure switch. The pumps rarely go bad.

WFP · « **Reply #34 on:** August 19, 2009, 10:36:06 AM »

Hey John!

Pressure switch good. Was new six months ago.

Pump out of ground...dead. There is a crack on the plastic that looks like it was ingested. Also, wire has been chafed. Looks like the pump over-vibrated 300' in the ground. may have not been well seated.

well guy went to get more wire

Should have water flowin' by this evening.

Pump looks undersized also (1/2 hp, 5gpm), will be upgrading to 3/4hp, 7 gpm.

/Bill

Quote from: arcticdude on August 19, 2009, 09:53:39 AM

Pull the cover off the pressure switch- the gray box with the acorn nut on top. Make sure it's trying to turn the pump on. The spring in it should be under compression. You may just have gotten a bad pressure switch. The pumps rarely go bad.

arcticdude · « **Reply #35 on:** August 19, 2009, 11:00:44 AM »

Bill,

What are you talking about, a "3/4 hp pump for 7 measly gpm". You know damn well you need at LEAST a 6hp, 50gpm pump in that hole!! And it needs a TRAILER! AARRGGHH, AARRGGHH!!!!

Glad to hear it's getting fixed.

ccr · « **Reply #36 on:** August 19, 2009, 12:39:38 PM »

Quote from: arcticdude on August 19, 2009, 11:00:44 AM

Bill,

What are you talking about, a "3/4 hp pump for 7 measly gpm". You know damn well you need at LEAST a 6hp, 50gpm pump in that hole!! And it needs a TRAILER! AARRGGHH, AARRGGHH!!!!

Glad to hear it's getting fixed.

roflol

Very funny.

arcticdude · « **Reply #37 on:** August 19, 2009, 07:02:52 PM »

And it needs to be CHROME!!!!

WFP · « **Reply #38 on:** August 20, 2009, 07:17:30 AM »

50% increase is better than none!

We had water flowin' by 2 yesterday afternoon and by 4 it was no longer black!

It was was stainless btw...almostr chromelike!

spydglide · « **Reply #39 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:30:49 AM »

Hey Bill, good luck on this taking care of the problem for a long time. Been there, done that and when the plumbing don't work Mama ain't happy and you know how that goes.

har! spyder

Sean M Cary · « **Reply #40 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:38:52 AM »

Quote from: WFP on August 20, 2009, 07:17:30 AM

50% increase is better than none!

We had water flowin' by 2 yesterday afternoon and by 4 it was no longer black!

It was was stainless btw...almostr chromelike!

you should have polished it!

Author Topic: Re: No Water this time! Re: Water pouring uncontrollably into the House! (Read 2441 times)

Sean M Cary

REGGAB

hogasm

Sean M Cary

Sean M Cary