[TheForge] NON blacksmithing question.

[jerry Frost]

Yeah, there is a foot valve in the pump that closes so to keep the water line full. If it's jammed open the vacuum created by the weight of water will suck your well tank down. We had the same problem a few years ago, an earthquake shook the permeable soils in the aquifer loose and the well pump sucked sand for days. We had to clear the well again but a pebble got stuck in the foot valve and we ended up having to have a well service pull and replace the pump. 

The foot valve costs more to try to fix than just replace. They're typically rated as a 50 year appliance but stuff happens. They were in and out in about an hour but I made sure our well casing is easily accessible.

Frosty


-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of CGRAF
Sent: Saturday, January 9, 2021 10:12 AM
To: TheForge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [TheForge] NON blacksmithing question.

The back flow valve is not in evidence so if that is the problem it is likely in the well. Could he place one in his building on the incoming line and not need to pull the pump. That would be a huge strain on his budget right at the moment.

On 1/9/2021 1:03 PM, CGRAF wrote:
>
> I have a City Boy question that was posted to me by another city boy 
> who recently moved to rural Kentucky from Milwaukee.
>
> His problem is this:
>
> His well pump brings his tank up to pressure in about 5 minutes 
> starting a 0 psi.
>
> Pump shuts off as it should at 58 psi.
>
> Two minutes later pressure has dropped to 30 pis and pump comes back on.
>
> Two minutes later it is back to pressure.
>
> IF he turns off power to the pump pressure falls to 0 psi  within 5 
> minutes.
>
> When the water line going to the pump is turned off pressure remains up.
>
> This is entirely outside my and his realm of experience. It is too far 
> for me to lay hands on it from Milwaukee.
>
> From piping layouts that I have come up with on line I am thinking 
> perhaps a back flow valve is not working??
>
>
> Mike Graf
>
>

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