HELP! Burst Pipe between my Well Pump and Pressure tank. What do i do?

[mikewags]

Hi all, new member here. Temperatures have been at records low lately, -12 the other night! I've been checking my pipes and all is well in the house, but my barn has a room with the well pump and well pressure tank stored there. There is a wall between the pump room, and another room that has the pressure tank. I replaced the pressure tank that came with the house about 6 months ago, there was a bladderless tank there that was water logged, i replaced it with a 30 gallon Water Worker (bladder).

Anyways, please see the attached photos...

I had the pump circuit breaker off, but i forgot to drain the water from the pressure tank before it got freezing cold overnight. The bursted pipe is between the pump/pressure gauge, and the pressure tank. It's about a 3 foot section that is cracked the whole way, but thats it. All the pvc on the Pressure tank side is not broken and should be fine.

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? Currently it is still frozen solid. I assume i need to cut away that broken section of pipe and replace it.

Question #1: If the ice in the pipe melts towards the end of the week, will the pressure tank empty itself into my pump room due to this broken pipe? I would imagine this burst pipe equates to having a faucet turned ON outside.

Question #2: Is there a way to keep the water in the tank from emptying out while working on this?

Thank you in advance for any support! Trying to avoid a mess and get this sorted asap.



PUMP ROOM

CRACKED PIPE IN PUMP ROOM - 3/4 FOOT PIPE RUNS INTO THE WALL - PRESSURE TANK IS ON THE OTHER SIDE

ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF WALL - THE PRESSURE TANK SETUP

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Go down to Home Depot or lowes and get some 1/2" pex and adapters. Replace the pipe. Shut the pump off and drain the tank first. Then wrap a heat tape around the new pipe and insulate it.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

Turn off the pump if you have not done so. I would try to save the water that is in the pressure tank in the bathtub, and in some buckets buckets in the house. That should mostly empty the pressure tank. Use buckets to flush the toilet.

Get a heater for the pump room before starting repairs.

 

[mikewags]

Thanks for the quick response guys.

I will get the necessary parts to cut this out and replace. A little more info, this doesn't connect to my house - its simply an irrigation pump for the yard/garden.

The pump hasnt been on during any of this time, i had the power to the pump cut to prepare for the weather - i simply forgot to bleed the tank and the water in those pipes froze.

Since this setup is enclosed (the pump room) i just want to prevent the water in the tank spilling out everywhere and making a mess. It's safe to assume that once those pipes thaw, the water will come gushing out right? Or am I not understanding the physics of a bladderless tank?

I do have this blowoff valve i installed (PICTURE BELOW) - perhaps i can open this up to drain the pressure tank (near the pump and cracked pipe space is very limited).



Thanks again!

 

[Reach4]

Yes, unless you have a valve to stop it.

Presuming you have a spigot, hook a garden hose up, put the other end outdoors pointing to a low spot where you will not be walking, turn on the water full blast to drain the tank. Often there would be a spigot at the pressure tank fitting

 

[mikewags]

I'll try via that pressure valve i installed on the pressure tank side.

 

[mikewags]

Heres that pressure relief valve - i could open this up to drain the water from here right?



Theoretically i could also just unscrew this valve and drain that way (at least i'd have room to catch it) ...

 

[Smooky]

I think that pressure relief valve is installed backwards. I do not think it will work that way.

 

[LLigetfa]

You only think? There is no doubt, it is backwards. The arrows are a dead giveaway.

 

[mikewags]

Holy crap you're right (smacks forehead)...

Well, will just have to unscrew it and see if i can drain the water that way.

Once i get this sorted, i'll attach a spigot where the relief valve is.

 

[mikewags]

I removed the valve, it was frozen inside those pipes as well.

Attached a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter + hose, ran the hose outside.

Will need to thaw this area of pipes and see if it begins to drain out. Wondering if the water in the tank might of frozen as well...I know i had a chicken waterer outside (50 gallon drum) that was 3/4's full that froze - then again it was outside and exposed.

Thanks for the help and input guys.