Hello, sorry for the long message, but have well questions.
Well specs are 400' deep, static level of 20', and produces ~ 3gpm. Did the original install with a plumber, and we used a Goulds 7GS 1HP (I think) set at ~ 360'. This worked pretty good and supported the addition of an irrigation system about 5 years later. Notes: the well was pumped down (maybe ~300') during a single irrigation cycle, lost a bit of pressure near the end, but worked pretty well.
~ 8 years ago in late fall, the pump needed to be replaced. I hired a well guy. He said I had the 'wrong pump' and wanted to install a 5GS 1HP. I challenged this (from the charts) and was concerned we might have irrigation issues. He did not have access to a 7GS, but insisted we would be more than OK. Next spring, I was kicking myself for sure enough I had to significantly shorten the on time of an irrigation cycle (less zones per cycle, more cycles per day) to get it to work due to low pressure when the well level dropped.
Anyway, we have another well issue and I would like to get this right.
We are having a lot of air entering house plumbing. This started slowly, and is now at the point that it happens all the time. This winter, the power failed and after a few days I went to drain the water to protect from freeze and there was no water in the tank (no water used during this time).
Ah, light bulb moment, we have have an issue! A bit of research, and I think we have either a crack in the well pipe or the check valve at the pump was seeping. If I am going to pull the pump, I am thinking of upgrading everything.
Questions on updating the system:
1) The air in the house water - am I right that this is it more likely a cracked well pipe, or could this be the pump's check valve?
2) Check valves. 25 years ago, we added a second check valve at the tank. When the powered failed, I thought maybe this check valve was at issue. Apparently, the well guy removed the 'check' portion of this valve as I found the parts on the floor hidden behind the tank. I think this is one of those opinion topics (OK or not OK,), but, just curious, what is the prevailing opinion today?
3) I would like to go to a constant pressure system to primarily smooth out the irrigation spray patterns, with household use a side benefit. I am thinking of simply installing a CSV1a in the basement and keep the current storage tank we have versus going with a smaller one. Thoughts or issues with this approach?
4) Pump: Wanting to get this right with an inline CSV, what would be the best pump? Looking at the charts, I am thinking a 7GS10/15 might be OK. But, I don't know if it would make more sense to go a little stronger (7GS20 or possibly a 10GS15), and allow the CSV to regulate the pressure at 50psi at all times, even when the well is well pumped down (with a 12gpm zone as the last zones to be used). Thoughts?
5) Is 200PSI pipe OK at that depth? I actually think we only used 150psi pipe 25 years ago, as it was all we could get for the install.
Will be replacing all other in well stuff (pipe, wire, etc.), anything else I might want to update (pitless, any O-rings, pipe from wellhead to house, etc.)?
Thanks in advance,
Well specs are 400' deep, static level of 20', and produces ~ 3gpm. Did the original install with a plumber, and we used a Goulds 7GS 1HP (I think) set at ~ 360'. This worked pretty good and supported the addition of an irrigation system about 5 years later. Notes: the well was pumped down (maybe ~300') during a single irrigation cycle, lost a bit of pressure near the end, but worked pretty well.
~ 8 years ago in late fall, the pump needed to be replaced. I hired a well guy. He said I had the 'wrong pump' and wanted to install a 5GS 1HP. I challenged this (from the charts) and was concerned we might have irrigation issues. He did not have access to a 7GS, but insisted we would be more than OK. Next spring, I was kicking myself for sure enough I had to significantly shorten the on time of an irrigation cycle (less zones per cycle, more cycles per day) to get it to work due to low pressure when the well level dropped.
Anyway, we have another well issue and I would like to get this right.
We are having a lot of air entering house plumbing. This started slowly, and is now at the point that it happens all the time. This winter, the power failed and after a few days I went to drain the water to protect from freeze and there was no water in the tank (no water used during this time).
Ah, light bulb moment, we have have an issue! A bit of research, and I think we have either a crack in the well pipe or the check valve at the pump was seeping. If I am going to pull the pump, I am thinking of upgrading everything.
Questions on updating the system:
1) The air in the house water - am I right that this is it more likely a cracked well pipe, or could this be the pump's check valve?
2) Check valves. 25 years ago, we added a second check valve at the tank. When the powered failed, I thought maybe this check valve was at issue. Apparently, the well guy removed the 'check' portion of this valve as I found the parts on the floor hidden behind the tank. I think this is one of those opinion topics (OK or not OK,), but, just curious, what is the prevailing opinion today?
3) I would like to go to a constant pressure system to primarily smooth out the irrigation spray patterns, with household use a side benefit. I am thinking of simply installing a CSV1a in the basement and keep the current storage tank we have versus going with a smaller one. Thoughts or issues with this approach?
4) Pump: Wanting to get this right with an inline CSV, what would be the best pump? Looking at the charts, I am thinking a 7GS10/15 might be OK. But, I don't know if it would make more sense to go a little stronger (7GS20 or possibly a 10GS15), and allow the CSV to regulate the pressure at 50psi at all times, even when the well is well pumped down (with a 12gpm zone as the last zones to be used). Thoughts?
5) Is 200PSI pipe OK at that depth? I actually think we only used 150psi pipe 25 years ago, as it was all we could get for the install.
Will be replacing all other in well stuff (pipe, wire, etc.), anything else I might want to update (pitless, any O-rings, pipe from wellhead to house, etc.)?
Thanks in advance,