water comes in through control wire conduit

[dbsmithvt]

Yesterday we had a pool of water inthe basement near the water system with no obvious source. This morning we checked and water was running in through the conduit that carries the wires to the pump. I know it's a drilled well, but that's about all. I went outside and tapped the top of the cover, thinking there might be something frozen. I then heard a whooshing sound, like air with some water mixed in. When I went back inside the flow through the conduit had stopped. My wife had fiddled with the control on the water softener at the same time, so we're not really sure what caused what. We're recently married; she's lived in the house 10 years plus and doesn't recall this being a problem before. Apparently last year the overflow on the softener was blocked or frozen and merited some attention. The water in the house has worked okay today--dishwasher and laundry were fine. My questions are, what might have caused this and should we consider it an immediate, intermediate, or eventual crisis? Thanks in advance.

Dave

[gwarr]

First try to figure out what kind of pump you have. A sumersable pump is located in the well. A jet pump is located in the house by the holding tank. A shallow well pump looks the same as a jet pump.
I am assumeing that you have a sumersable pump. The wires go from a circut breaker to a pressure switch then into a conduit, which goes to the well where the conduit stops, and the wires go to the pump. If you had water comming out the conduit, you may have a hole in your conduit. The water goes from the pump up the pipe ( usually 1 1/4 ) inside the well to a device (pitless adaptor(inside the well)) that makes it go into the pipe that goes into a holding tank (in the house) the water then goes to the sofening system and from there it goes through out the house. You may need a vent in the top cover of your well (lets air volume replace water when pump is running and allows water to rise when done pumping).

[nomind]

Where does the conduit end at the well ? It should enter the cap and be sealed at that point around the wires. If it isn't ,seal it with silicon or polybutyl caulk to prevent running to the basement . Do the same at basement end. BTW, the softener drain has nothing to do with this. It should run outside or to a regular drain. :cool:

[dbsmithvt]

You were both right on with your cyber diagnoses. The well produces excess water that is supposed to bleed off through a 20 foot long 3/4 inch hose. That hose had filled up with enough iron deposits in the last 15 years that it no longer could handle the volume coming up the welll. The electrical conduit wasn't sealed, just set higher than the drain. My wife called a well guy who sealed the conduit and flushed and shortened the overflow pipe. We were bad DIYers but the basement is dry again. Thanks to all.