Frozen well system - thought I fixed it, but now nothing?

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matth100

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We have a lot of cold weather right now, -10 last night, and water stopped.

I spent a while today heating the pipes, and the well tank, and after a few hours got a flow of water from the tank to the water filter (rapidly filling the clear filter) I also managed to run some water out of the pipes from various valves along the way - pretty much thought it was all fixed.

Then suddenly the flow from the tank to the filter stops, I drain the filter to see if there is a flow and nothing, so the problem is isolated to the tank>filter or earlier in the pipeline.

Water pressure is showing over 100psi, and has always been this high since we moved to the house.

I'm trying to figure out how I could go from a situation where I have restored waterflow, and now have lost it again. It is still a little cold (10f) but I think that a 'refreeze' is unlikely, so perhaps it is mechanical on the pump system.

Are there any things to check that might help see if something has been tripped/burned out? Other things I looked at:

  • Breaker is not flipped.
  • Pressure switch visual look, saw no ice inside the casing.
Thanks!
 

Valveman

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Are the points in the pressure switch closed or touching? The little nipple to the switch can still be frozen and not letting the switch close. Your gauge is probably bad. It will still say 100 when you take it off and have it in your hand. First sign of freezing.
 

matth100

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Are the points in the pressure switch closed or touching? The little nipple to the switch can still be frozen and not letting the switch close. Your gauge is probably bad. It will still say 100 when you take it off and have it in your hand. First sign of freezing.

The switch contact points were touching, and power was moving through them.
 

Craigpump

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You may have pushed some ice along through the pipe from the well and it's blocking the check valve...

I know two great pump guys in Carmel if you need help.
 

matth100

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Are the points in the pressure switch closed or touching? The little nipple to the switch can still be frozen and not letting the switch close. Your gauge is probably bad. It will still say 100 when you take it off and have it in your hand. First sign of freezing.

I take it back, the nipple was frozen... I didn't realize what I was looking for. Dumped out a bunch of rusty ice... Nothing coming through yet though so wondering if there is more ice in the brass like part that the nipple is attached (photo)to on the piping. Applying heat.
image.jpeg
 

matth100

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Just an update - while applying some heat and generally with warmer weather last night the water started flowing again. Unfortunately I forgot to leave a faucet open, so we had two pipes basically explode (the ends flew off in the laundry room, one of them shattered...) , and it looks like the line from the pump has a split in it... so lots more to do!
 
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