Brewmaestro
New Member
Finished driving and plumbing a shallow well in my basement last Sunday. 1 1/4" galvanized; static water level in pipe is 22' below basement floor; 1 HP Harbor Freight pump; and a very good ($200) sand point. I used a pitcher pump to bring the water up and condition the well a little before connecting the HF unit. Everything seemed fine on Sunday--very good flow rate--though the pump seemed kind of noisy.
Next morning the pressure gauge was right were it had been the evening before--50 psi--but when I started the pump by running some water, the pressure dropped precipitously, the sound changed, and the flow stopped. The sound became something like pebbles swishing around in a can. After a minute or so with the faucet shut it recovered, began to pump water again, and the pressure began to rise. The system is hooked up to the outside taps of the house here (we're on city water), and I used it to water the garden for the next couple of hours. Ran beautifully--tons of water.
Next morning, same thing.
I realize there must be a leak somewhere. I just hope it isn't below the check valve (that's the first thing as the pipe comes out of the floor). It's check valve; nipple; tee; vertically out of the tee is another nipple and a cap where I had the pitcher pump; horizontally out of the tee is a collar reducing to 1"; a nipple; a gate valve; a nipple; and a flexible connector to nipple on the pump. (If we lose power long term, I can reattach the pitcher pump, close the gate valve, and have fresh water)
Any ideas? Suggestions? I used pipe dope on the urging of a local well guy (where I bought the point) below grade, but starting with the check valve I used teflon wrap. The pump seems pretty loud--high-pitched loudness.
Help, please!
Next morning the pressure gauge was right were it had been the evening before--50 psi--but when I started the pump by running some water, the pressure dropped precipitously, the sound changed, and the flow stopped. The sound became something like pebbles swishing around in a can. After a minute or so with the faucet shut it recovered, began to pump water again, and the pressure began to rise. The system is hooked up to the outside taps of the house here (we're on city water), and I used it to water the garden for the next couple of hours. Ran beautifully--tons of water.
Next morning, same thing.
I realize there must be a leak somewhere. I just hope it isn't below the check valve (that's the first thing as the pipe comes out of the floor). It's check valve; nipple; tee; vertically out of the tee is another nipple and a cap where I had the pitcher pump; horizontally out of the tee is a collar reducing to 1"; a nipple; a gate valve; a nipple; and a flexible connector to nipple on the pump. (If we lose power long term, I can reattach the pitcher pump, close the gate valve, and have fresh water)
Any ideas? Suggestions? I used pipe dope on the urging of a local well guy (where I bought the point) below grade, but starting with the check valve I used teflon wrap. The pump seems pretty loud--high-pitched loudness.
Help, please!