pressure tank relocation

[stratusfear]

My well pressure tank is located in a pit about 5 or 6 feet below the ground
level. Every year the pipe coming from the tank into the house freezes during
the winter months. The moisture build-up in this pit has caused the tank to rust and the pressure switch accumulate corrosion. (switch has already been
replaced twice) Because of the way the pipe going into the house was installed, it is impossible to insulate or install heat tape to the vital areas that
freeze every year. I would like to relocate the pressure tank into the basement. Because of the location of the well, the only possible way to do this would be to re-route the well pipe under the foundation and through a crawl space underneath the kitchen. There is no basement under this part of the house, only a crawl space. The crawl space maintains temperatures above freezing even during the coldest months of the year. Would this be
possible to do or should I abandon the whole idea and just deal with it as it is?

 

[Speedbump]

Moving the tank won't help that line that freezes.

If you do move the tank, you will have to move the pressure switch with it. This will mean adding wire probably and more digging.

Having a tank in a pit as opposed to a crawl space would be a plus in my book. Paint the tank and change that $13.00 dollar switch every couple of years. No big deal.

bob...

 

[Sponsor]

 

[stratusfear]

Actually, my plan was to run a whole new section of the 1" black flexible pvc
pipe from the well into a new location in the basement. This would eliminate the existing copper line that is currently running from the pressure tank into the house. The pressure tank would actually be located in the basement, which is directly beside the crawl space where I was planning the run the
new flexible pvc well pipe. I could then reconnect the main from the pressure tank to the existing line(s). Having the tank and the main in the basement would eliminate any fears of the main frezzing. What my concern was: Is it
possible to run all new black flexible pvc from the well to the house in a newly
dug trench, then underneath a shallow portion of my foundation and through the crawlspace to the basement? As I said, the crawl space never gets cold
enough for pipes to freeze.

 

[Sammyhydro11]

How does that copper pipe run into the house? How is it that you cant run the line into the basement? Along w/that new water line i would also run new wire. I think you would be safe running the water line into the crawl space as long as it stays warm and you dig a few feet into the crawlspace and come up from the same depth as your trench from the pit. with that tank in the basement it would be easier for you to monitor the system.

SAM

 

[stratusfear]

What you are decscribing is exactly what I wanted to do. Currently, the copper pipe coming from the pressure tank goes through a hole made in the
brick that the pit was made from. It then takes a bend and runs about 2 1/2
feet before going through a large wooden beam that I think may the sill plate.
It then runs through the crawl space and eventually into the basement area.
It is the 2 1/2 foot section from the pit to the crawl space that is part of the
problem. There is absolutely no way to get acces to it to do any insulating
or install heat tape. It freezes every year. I knew that what I wanted to do
may be possible. My biggest fear was running it under the foundation into
the crawl space. I'm just not sure how far under the foundation would I have
to dig and how far past the foundation wall would I have to be before I could
bring the pipe up and out of the dirt and continue moving towards the basement through the crawlspace.

 

[stratusfear]

One thing that I failed to mention previously was the reason why I would have
to run the flexible pvc from well through crawl space instead of the basement
wall. The basement area is on the opposite side of the house from where the
well is located. Going through the crawl space on the side of the house where
the well is located is the only option. Any input that someone could give me
would be well appreciated. I've never worked with flexible pvc before, so I
am not sure what I would need to do to keep it from freezing; especially at
the transition point where it runs under the foundation and into the crawl
space,

 

[Sammyhydro11]

If that route is your only option, i would go down 4',go 3' into the crawl space,come up,and shoot into the basement. Put heat tape and insulation on the vertical and horizontal section in the crawl space just in case. Polly pipe is very flexable.you could probably loop it up into the crawl space from the bottom of the trench but if you decide to use elbows make sure they are brass and double clamp the fittings. DONT USE NYLON ELBOWS!!

SAM

 

[stratusfear]

When you say 3 or 4' feet into the crawl space, do you mean below the surface of the dirt floor? Or, do you mean 3 or 4' from the foundation wall?
There is only about 1 1/2' of clearance in the crawl space, making it impossible to do any digging. Anytime that I have to get in there to do anything, I either lay flat on my back or crawl on my stomach. I know that it will stay warm enough in the crawl space for the flexible pvc not to freeze. My
big concern is the transition point where the pipe would go under the foundation and into the crawl space. If there were a way to get the pipe under the foundation and into the crawl space without fear of it freezing at that particular location of the pipe.

 

[Speedbump]

You will have to tunnel from the outside in. That means a big hole outside you can get into, so you can go up under the footing. and break through into the crawl. "Oh how I miss crawl spaces"

Remember you will need to keep the pressure switch with the tank, wherever you move. This will probably mean running additional wire.

bob...

 

[stratusfear]

Thanks Speedbump. I think you just answered the question to my biggest
concern. Tunneling through from the outside seems like the the best way
to go. If I can just maintain the minumum 36" depth all the way over to the
basement wall, I think I'll be ok.

 

[Speedbump]

Ah yes, it brings back fond memories of living in Michigan with all it's shallow crawl spaces. Swimming through them dragging pump and tank behind me along with the tool box and pipe wrenches. Digging up buried wells to change their screen. Most of them weren't more than 6' deep though. Then working over the hole with the mast in the air, your (never keep your feet warm) boots on the edge of the hole, trying not to fall in. The memories are just flooding into my brain.

Yet I regress, it's 65° here now and no frost. I think I'll make it!

bob...