Old well for 1880's home

[jibsail]

I have recently purchased an 1880's home that has a very nice stone well outside. It is about 30 feet deep and the hole is about 2 .5 in diameter. As far as I can tell the bottom is dry--I just see dirt. I would like to get it working for garden water and perhaps for the effect of using a hand pump for whatever. How can I get it going again? Pump it? Climb down there and dig (seems risky)?

 

[Gary Slusser]

At this time the well is dry. After rain it may or may not have some water in it. I would not dig it deeper.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Speedbump]

You could try punching a well point down into the bottom 5 to 15 feet or so. Who knows the vein may go deep enough to make it a screened well.

bob...

 

[ncgeo]

you'd be nuts climbing down a 2-1/2 ft wide hole that is 30' deep

 

[Sammyhydro11]

Yeah, nuts like this guy.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAxf3UIImI
Check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuzDyFquyqw

Do not try this at home!

sammy

www.tylerwellandpump.com

 

[Speedbump]

That's pretty interesting Sammy. I'm sure glad I was able to use a Cable tool and Jetting Rig when I was younger.

bob...

 

[Sammyhydro11]

You have to admit though, those guys in the second video did an awesome job!

sammy

www.tylerwellandpump.com

 

[Speedbump]

Yes they did. The Mexicans here work their butts off also. I just wish they would move here legally and speak English.

bob...

 

[Sammyhydro11]

I can see why they want to come here. I was in Ensinada Mexico a few years ago and couldn't believe some of the conditions those people were living in. Sad situation and i can see where their determination comes from. Oh we got shook down by the local police for 50 bucks! It was a minor traffic incident and the cop demanded 50 american dollars...we just gave it to him with no questions. Once we got back into San Diego i felt a major relief to be back on my own soil.

sammy

www.tylerwellandpump.com

 

[Gary Slusser]

My Mom's brother used to dig and clean wells etc. in PA during the 1940s and early 1950s. He was electrocuted in 1953 or there about when a piece of drop pipe got away from his helper and got into overhead electric lines. Cleaning those wells is very dangerous due to confined space gases and cave in.