What should I be hearing & how often from my well?

[BatesOKC]

We moved into a home on a water well a couple of years ago. I have very little experience with these (as in zero).

The other day I was messing around the well in the front yard and realized I could hear some mechanical noise coming from it. Nothing real loud, and you have to be within a foot or two, but it was quiet outside, so I noticed it. I removed the plastic cap from the well to confirm and the noise was of course more noticeable with the cap removed. To me, it sounds identical to the sound of a babies heart beat in the womb when we'd listen to it at the doctor. Very rhythmic with an air flow sound.

I assumed I probably just never noticed it before and since the sprinklers were going I thought everything was fine.

However, this morning I checked and I can still hear the noise and no water is running on the property.

Is this normal and I'm being paranoid or do I need a service call?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Reach4]

With no water being used, look at your pressure gauge. Then look at it a half hour later. Does it stay the same, or drop.

If it drops, that will explain things. If it rose, the pump went on during that interval. How often does the pump run with no water being used?

If the pressure does not drop, is there a check valve at the pressure tank in the pipe coming from the well? If you don't know, post a picture of your pressure tank input, pressure gauge, pressure switch and a few feet of incoming pipe.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[BatesOKC]

With no water being used, look at your pressure gauge. Then look at it a half hour later. Does it stay the same, or drop.

If it drops, that will explain things. If it rose, the pump went on during that interval. How often does the pump run with no water being used?

If the pressure does not drop, is there a check valve at the pressure tank in the pipe coming from the well? If you don't know, post a picture of your pressure tank input, pressure gauge, pressure switch and a few feet of incoming pipe.

Thanks for the reply.

I uploaded two photos. Both taken while no water was running and 40 minutes apart (no water ran for about 30 minutes prior, nor during). I also posted a wider shot photo to show the piping.

I also posted a video to YouTube with audio of the well itself.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Reach4]

How about a photo from floor level showing the parts pointed to by the yellow arrows, and to the left of the yellow arrows some too.

 

[BatesOKC]

Will this work....?

 

[DonL]

To me, it sounds identical to the sound of a babies heart beat in the womb when we'd listen to it at the doctor.

Did a baby fall down your well ?

 

[Craigpump]

Ok, it sounds like the water is bubbling in the well, also the cobwebs are moving.

Does the water have a petroleum smell or taste?
Is the water fizzy like seltzer?

 

[BatesOKC]

Ok, it sounds like the water is bubbling in the well, also the cobwebs are moving.

Does the water have a petroleum smell or taste?
Is the water fizzy like seltzer?

I don't notice any lingering bubbles. There are tiny bubbles throughout when I go from kitchen faucet to glass, but they only last a few seconds.
No noticeable smell or taste.

 

[Boycedrilling]

Sounds like cascading water to me. That is water entering the well above the static water level. It is "water falling" or cascading in the well. This can entrain air into your water depending upon how far below the static level the pump is set.

 

[Craigpump]

Easy way to find out, find someone with a downhole video camera and run it in.

 

[BatesOKC]

Easy way to find out, find someone with a downhole video camera and run it in.

Back to my original concern though... should I be hearing the pump running all the time? I hate to schedule a service call just to be charged $100+ to be told everything is fine and that I was being paranoid.

I already did that with my septic aerator. I had two people tell me I shouldn't be able to hear it running and mine runs quite loud 24/7 (you can easily hear it in the house). Called the septic company and they charge me a service charge to literally take 5 minutes to look at the brand and age of the unit and say "Yep, that's how those operate. Once it goes out and you replace it, the newer one you won't be able to hear unless you're right on top of it. Here's your bill."

 

[Valveman]

A well pump should not be running unless you are using water at the time.

 

[BatesOKC]

A well pump should not be running unless you are using water at the time.

Am I correct in my assumption that that noise I am hearing is the well pump? Thanks!

 

[Reach4]

In reply #2, the gauge still read 75.5 PSI after 40 minutes. It seems to me that either the gauge is bad, (easy and cheap to change) or the pump did not run. That is higher pressure than is commonly used. So I would replace the gauge.

That picture in #5 shows that there is not a check valve up there. A check valve could have kept pressure in the pressure tank while water was doing something in the well casing.

I just now listened to the video.... That sound... not very subtle. Try turning off the switch or breaker to the pump. See if the sound continues with the power off.

 

[Boycedrilling]

I agree with reach. Turn off the power and see if the sound continues. My bet is that it will. I think You're hearing cascading water and not the pump.

 

[BatesOKC]

I agree with reach. Turn off the power and see if the sound continues. My bet is that it will. I think You're hearing cascading water and not the pump.

Really weird, last night I turned off the power and checked the well - Dead quiet. Turned the power back on - Still Dead Quiet! This morning, it's still completely quiet other than a faint sound of water. I'll check again when the sprinkler system comes on. Water pressure inside seems fine.

Now I'm completely confused.

 

[Craigpump]

Has your electric bill been higher than usual?

 

[BatesOKC]

Has your electric bill been higher than usual?

No. Our electric bill is actually usually very reasonable.

 

[Valveman]

You won't hear cascading water after the well has recovered for some time. When you pull the water down in the well then you can hear the water cascading until the well is full again.