Hi all, long time reader, first time posting.
I bought a mid-1800s farmhouse, I'm guessing the well dates back to around that time. It's a dug well, 4 foot diameter and about 15 feet deep. I'm upgrading all of the plumbing in the house, and installing a new filter system, etc., to try and make it safe and usable. I've come across some things I wanted to run it by you experts.
I dropped a fishing camera down the well to see what was at the bottom of the suction pipe. I'm attaching a picture which isn't great quality, but it seems like there might be a foot valve. I'm also attaching a rough diagram of the system, since a picture is worth 1000 words and it will shorten this post. The last pictures is of the jet pump/expansion tank, and also what looks like a check valve in the ceiling joists.
I've done a lot physically to the well to get it ready to cap property and fix groundwater from coming in. But right now it's still a 4' opening...once I cap it I'll still have a manhole cover for access, but I'd like to do as much as I can before I cap it. Lastly, I'll be cutting out all of the old plumbing and starting fresh, and I think I'll be moving the pump/tank/everything over closer to where the suction line enters the house in the basement.
Here are my questions:
1. Does that look like a foot valve to you guys, and should I replace it?
2. Does that PVC elbow look fine, and the poly pipe as well? Should I replace everything down from the 90 in the well?
3. Should I try to cut out that old unused galvanized piping from the well bottom? They won't ever be used...and can't imagine that it is helping my water quality, but is it worth trying to remove or just trust my expensive filtration/purification system?
4. I'm pretty sure that's a check valve in the ceiling joists (red box)... is that bad to have if there is also a foot valve in the well?
5. I can't wrap my head around how this pump would be primed, since the suction line goes vertical from the jet pump. How would one fill the entire suction line with water to prime? If I move the pump/tank, should I position it such that the suction line comes UP to the pump?
6. The fittings on the pump look old, galvanized and corroded. Should I replace these fittings, and if so, what material should I use? Brass?
Thanks!
I bought a mid-1800s farmhouse, I'm guessing the well dates back to around that time. It's a dug well, 4 foot diameter and about 15 feet deep. I'm upgrading all of the plumbing in the house, and installing a new filter system, etc., to try and make it safe and usable. I've come across some things I wanted to run it by you experts.
I dropped a fishing camera down the well to see what was at the bottom of the suction pipe. I'm attaching a picture which isn't great quality, but it seems like there might be a foot valve. I'm also attaching a rough diagram of the system, since a picture is worth 1000 words and it will shorten this post. The last pictures is of the jet pump/expansion tank, and also what looks like a check valve in the ceiling joists.
I've done a lot physically to the well to get it ready to cap property and fix groundwater from coming in. But right now it's still a 4' opening...once I cap it I'll still have a manhole cover for access, but I'd like to do as much as I can before I cap it. Lastly, I'll be cutting out all of the old plumbing and starting fresh, and I think I'll be moving the pump/tank/everything over closer to where the suction line enters the house in the basement.
Here are my questions:
1. Does that look like a foot valve to you guys, and should I replace it?
2. Does that PVC elbow look fine, and the poly pipe as well? Should I replace everything down from the 90 in the well?
3. Should I try to cut out that old unused galvanized piping from the well bottom? They won't ever be used...and can't imagine that it is helping my water quality, but is it worth trying to remove or just trust my expensive filtration/purification system?
4. I'm pretty sure that's a check valve in the ceiling joists (red box)... is that bad to have if there is also a foot valve in the well?
5. I can't wrap my head around how this pump would be primed, since the suction line goes vertical from the jet pump. How would one fill the entire suction line with water to prime? If I move the pump/tank, should I position it such that the suction line comes UP to the pump?
6. The fittings on the pump look old, galvanized and corroded. Should I replace these fittings, and if so, what material should I use? Brass?
Thanks!
