Is there a way to temporarily run my well without the pressure tank/valve?

[bcemail]

Plumbing from the well comes in via PVC, then gets to the valve that sends water to the pressure tank. That short piece is copper and developed a pinhole leak. It's underneath the bottom of the tank so was really hard to work on. I got a small section of hose and a hose clamp for a temporary fix, but as I was tightening the clamp the pipe shattered. We had iron problems in the past, but I didn't think the pipe would be that soft.

I cut the pipe off and put a sharkbite cap on it for now. I wasn't sure how to get the pipe disconnected on the bottom of the tank and didn't want to make it worse. When I turn the well pump power back on, the valve sounds like it's turning on and off over and over and there is some serious water hammering. I'm sure it's trying to figure out the pressure in the tank which is no longer connected.

Long story short, is there any way to get water flowing to the house until I can get a plumber out here? Of course it was Sunday afternoon when all this happened. Thanks for the help!

 

[Reach4]

Your description is not so clear. Normally there is not a stop valve between the well and the pressure tank, but there is one between the pressure tank and the house plumbing.

When I turn the well pump power back on, the valve sounds like it's turning on and off over and over and there is some serious water hammering.

The thing turning on and off would be the pressure switch. I think you are saying that you blocked the path to the pressure tank temporarily. If you temporarily hold the armature closed on the pressure switch, the pump would run. A wooden stick or an insulated screwdriver could work. Alternatively, bypass the pressure switch with wires. If you are actually using water during that time, that would probably be OK. You don't want the pump deadheading. Have the tub or something on. When done, turn the pump off with the breaker as you have been doing, I expect. I am not a pro.

Maybe post a photo that include the pipe from the well, the input to the pressure tank, the pressure switch, and pressure gauge. 900 pixels and 200 KB max.

 

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[John Gayewski]

Just go without water until you can get it fixed.

 

[Fitter30]

Could just open avalve turn breaker on when needing water and turn it off right after your done. Flush toilet just open a sink and flush turn turn breaker off then sink off.

 

[Reach4]

I was thinking to fill the tub too. Pour a bucket of water, filled from tub, into the toilet to flush.

 

[Valveman]

Turn the pressure reducing valve down to about 50 PSI and let it blow off all the time the pump is running. Turn off the pump manually when not using any water.

Sorry, pressure relief valve not reducing valve.