Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - Starting submersible pump in bored well
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wraezor
11-04-09, 10:05 AM
Hello,
Recently purchased a property with a 38' ft bored well. It has a submersible pump. Water was going when we had the inspection done, but when we took possession, no water. Pressure tank is showing 0 psi. Pressure switch seems to be working, and I can hear the well pump running when its plugged in. But, I'm getting no water.
I spoke with the person who got it running for the inspection and she said:
"The guy took the lid off the well and carefully jerked the ropes (tied to the pump), while I turned the breaker on and off until the pump really kicked in. It took a few tries and then all of a sudden it started pumping."
Can someone explain what they are doing and how this gets water flowing again? I haven't tried this again myself, but I like to know what I'm actually doing before I try it.
Thanks,
Jordan
Recently purchased a property with a 38' ft bored well. It has a submersible pump. Water was going when we had the inspection done, but when we took possession, no water. Pressure tank is showing 0 psi. Pressure switch seems to be working, and I can hear the well pump running when its plugged in. But, I'm getting no water.
I spoke with the person who got it running for the inspection and she said:
"The guy took the lid off the well and carefully jerked the ropes (tied to the pump), while I turned the breaker on and off until the pump really kicked in. It took a few tries and then all of a sudden it started pumping."
Can someone explain what they are doing and how this gets water flowing again? I haven't tried this again myself, but I like to know what I'm actually doing before I try it.
Thanks,
Jordan
nap
11-04-09, 12:23 PM
if you have disclosure laws anything like we do here in the US and the well was listed as "good" or anything implying such;
to get the well working, you contact the seller and tell him to get it fixed.
short of that, I would suggest pulling the pump and finding out why there is a problem.
sounds like a pump that needs to be replaced.
to get the well working, you contact the seller and tell him to get it fixed.
short of that, I would suggest pulling the pump and finding out why there is a problem.
sounds like a pump that needs to be replaced.
wraezor
11-04-09, 03:01 PM
I went in knowing the well had issues. I am just hoping to limp it along until we inevitably dig a new well by the looks of it.
I cannot figure out how to get the hose disconnected to pull the pump up. Definitely not just a 'lift straight up' type. Any tips on getting the hose disconnected?
I cannot figure out how to get the hose disconnected to pull the pump up. Definitely not just a 'lift straight up' type. Any tips on getting the hose disconnected?
wraezor
11-04-09, 03:39 PM
Just doing some more research. Possibly the pump is air bound.
This site mentions "Little or no liquid delivered from pump" can be cause by air bound pump. The solution listed is to "successively start and stop pump until flow is delievered".
Green Road Farm ~ Submersible well pump installation & Troubleshooting (http://greenroadfarm.com/wells.html)
If it's not a self-priming pump, an air pocket could be rendering it ineffective. That would seem to make sense with the instructions the lady provided. I will let you know what I discover when I attempt it.
This site mentions "Little or no liquid delivered from pump" can be cause by air bound pump. The solution listed is to "successively start and stop pump until flow is delievered".
Green Road Farm ~ Submersible well pump installation & Troubleshooting (http://greenroadfarm.com/wells.html)
If it's not a self-priming pump, an air pocket could be rendering it ineffective. That would seem to make sense with the instructions the lady provided. I will let you know what I discover when I attempt it.
shane21
11-04-09, 05:31 PM
If it's air locked then that means the well doesn't make a lot of water and had to essentially run out of water in order for that pump to suck in the air to begin with. A submersible pump cannot air lock unless the it runs the well out of water period. All submersible pumps are self priming but usually require some water to build up in the well and help "push" that air pocket out if one happens to form. In a 38' well It is highly unlikely that the pump is "air locked" and if it is then you are going to have issues with running out of water.
If it is air locked and the well is running out of water then I'm sure what the guy did was use the wires - or rope if one was installed - to dislodge the air by picking up the pump a few inches and letting it down in a rapid manner to kind of "burp" that air out.
If it is air locked and the well is running out of water then I'm sure what the guy did was use the wires - or rope if one was installed - to dislodge the air by picking up the pump a few inches and letting it down in a rapid manner to kind of "burp" that air out.
wraezor
11-04-09, 05:52 PM
Thanks for the input. I'm going to give it a try tonight.
The power has also been off at this place, at times, so it may be that while off for days or weeks, it looses all pressure and air comes in...not necessarily that it's running dry, though that is always a risk too.
When I get it running, I will definitely be checking it's flow rate and if it runs out.
The power has also been off at this place, at times, so it may be that while off for days or weeks, it looses all pressure and air comes in...not necessarily that it's running dry, though that is always a risk too.
When I get it running, I will definitely be checking it's flow rate and if it runs out.
shane21
11-04-09, 07:43 PM
No, it cannot get air in it - even if the power is off forever - unless the actual suction intake of the pump is exposed to air. This would not happen if the power was off or if the water was drained form the system.
The ONLY way that can ever happen is if somehow the pump intake is exposed to air. It would have to be physically picked up above the water level, the water level in the well naturally fall below the suction intake level due to a dry season, or the pump - while running - draws the water level in the well down to the point that it actually starts to suck air in the intake.
Good luck and post back if you have more questions.
The ONLY way that can ever happen is if somehow the pump intake is exposed to air. It would have to be physically picked up above the water level, the water level in the well naturally fall below the suction intake level due to a dry season, or the pump - while running - draws the water level in the well down to the point that it actually starts to suck air in the intake.
Good luck and post back if you have more questions.
nap
11-04-09, 07:45 PM
actually if you had a combo of a bad check valve and low water, you get get air in the pump.
If the water level is above the pick up but not above all the stages of the pump, a bad check valve would allow the water to drain out to at least the water level in the well.Depending on how fast it drained out, there could be some siphoning action going on that would take it below the well level.
If the water level is above the pick up but not above all the stages of the pump, a bad check valve would allow the water to drain out to at least the water level in the well.Depending on how fast it drained out, there could be some siphoning action going on that would take it below the well level.