Pitless Adapter Installation

[Ian Davlin]

I'm replacing the pitless adapter on my well. I was told to tighten the lock nut until the brass part of the adapter inside the casing is flush up against the casing (metal on metal). I've tightened the nut as much as I can and I can't get it to make metal on metal contact. Is it normal to see the inside rubber washer in between instead of seeing the adapter touching the casing?

 

[Reach4]

http://www.bakerwatersystems.com/uploads/files/products/category_pdfs/brass_slide_adapter_installation_and_repair_parts.pdf says

With the 1” lift pipe inside the casing in a plumb position, securely tighten the nut (or 1-1/4” adapter coupling) with a wrench, until the gaskets are fully compressed.​

It says nothing about metal on metal.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Craigpump]

No, you're doing it wrong.

There are two rubber gaskets, one on the inside of the casing, the other on the outside under the ring which is then compressed by the nut.

Why are you replacing a pitless? The only time I've replaced them is if the original was aluminum.

 

[VAWellDriller]

here's a reason craig....about 25 years old.....guess it was a bad casting but I really don't know

 

[Craigpump]

View attachment 40775 here's a reason craig....about 25 years old.....guess it was a bad casting but I really don't know

Never seen a pitless fail like that.

 

[Valveman]

That is the new low lead brass. Probably going to start seeing stuff like that more often since regular brass was outlawed. Also was probably on steel casing as it looks like the damage is just where it was close to steel. Electrolysis plus low lead brass equals short life of materials.

 

[Reach4]

Maybe that damage was somebody who had heard that "metal on metal" tale.

 

[LLigetfa]

Maybe that damage was somebody who had heard that "metal on metal" tale.

Metal on metal is a fact, not a tale. Of course how noble the two are is what matters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_series

I wonder if the OP is placing the two rubber seals correctly.

 

[Reach4]

Metal on metal is a fact, not a tale.

The story that Ian referred to in the initial post said that he should tighten his pitless so tight that the pitless compressed the gasket inside of the casing such that the metal touched and the gasket was not visible from above. That was what I was referring to.

 

[LLigetfa]

I was chasing the wrong tail.

 

[VAWellDriller]

That is the new low lead brass. Probably going to start seeing stuff like that more often since regular brass was outlawed. Also was probably on steel casing as it looks like the damage is just where it was close to steel. Electrolysis plus low lead brass equals short life of materials.

Half way right. It was installed on galvanized steel casing, but it was original install on a mid 90's house so it wasn't low lead brass. I have seen a rise in dissimilar metal problems and check valves. Lots of pumps hung on galvanized steel around here (not residential) with brass check valve near pump.....since the low lead change the threads on the steel pipe screwed into the check valve eat right through....seen it happen in less than a year with all new materials in the well. We've switched to ductile iron check valves and now trying to get engineers to switch specs.

 

[Valveman]

If that was old leaded brass, then expect to see the new low lead brass not last that long. Does it help to tape over the brass check valve and up on the pipe a little? We have always done that to keep the pipe threads from melting away where it screws into a brass or SS check.