Pitless fell in well, now submersible is stuck--how much trouble am I in?

[DYI13]

Hello all—Here’s an update for anyone who is interested. Two and a half years later and this matter is fully resolved.

We took the original contractor to small claims court (represented ourselves) and won back the money we spent to camera the well, try (unsuccessfully) with a crane to remove the stuck piece, and run a new pump next to the stuck one—around 6K.

Here’s what we learned: When changing both sides of a pit less, use a small piece of pipe that slides in between both halfs to hold it together. It is then impossible for the half not attached to the pull pipe to fall down the well.

 

[Reach4]

Here’s what we learned: When changing both sides of a pit less, use a small piece of pipe that slides in between both halfs to hold it together. It is then impossible for the half not attached to the pull pipe to fall down the well.

I am trying to picture that. Is the small piece of pipe horizontal?

 

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[DYI13]

Yes—in these instructions, they are using a wood dowel, but a plastic pipe works just as well. We demonstrated it to the judge, how it was impossible for the outside half to slip off no matter how loose the two halfs were.

 

[Valveman]

Hello all—Here’s an update for anyone who is interested. Two and a half years later and this matter is fully resolved.

We took the original contractor to small claims court (represented ourselves) and won back the money we spent to camera the well, try (unsuccessfully) with a crane to remove the stuck piece, and run a new pump next to the stuck one—around 6K.

Here’s what we learned: When changing both sides of a pit less, use a small piece of pipe that slides in between both halfs to hold it together. It is then impossible for the half not attached to the pull pipe to fall down the well.

The inside part needs to be installed with the pull pipe. Don't think you can install it while attached to the outside part of the pitless.

 

[Reach4]

Yes—in these instructions, they are using a wood dowel, but a plastic pipe works just as well. We demonstrated it to the judge, how it was impossible for the outside half to slip off no matter how loose the two halfs were.

I see that came from https://support.boshart.com/how-do-i-properly-install-my-pitless-adapter.

and run a new pump next to the stuck one—around 6K.

Are you referring to having had a new well drilled, or something else?

 

[Valveman]

I can see where the Dowel rod would be a safety. But the pitless slide fits really tight. I have never needed the Dowel rod to install a pitless.

 

[DYI13]

I can see where the Dowel rod would be a safety. But the pitless slide fits really tight. I have never needed the Dowel rod to install a pitless.

This was a repair of a leaking pitless. So it wasn’t new. Obviously wasn’t tight or it wouldn’t have slipped off. Maybe the contractor hit it against the side of the casing as he was pulling the whole thing up.

Are you a contractor? Play it safe and use a slide!

 

[DYI13]

I see that came from https://support.boshart.com/how-do-i-properly-install-my-pitless-adapter.


Are you referring to having had a new well drilled, or something else?

This is what should have been a routine replacement of both sides of the pitless adapter.

 

[Valveman]

I would have pulled the pump first before working on the pitless. That way if the slide did fall it would be laying on the bottom of the well where is wouldn't hurt anything.

 

[DYI13]

I would have pulled the pump first before working on the pitless. That way if the slide did fall it would be laying on the bottom of the well where is wouldn't hurt anything.

That is smart. Unfortunately, unfortunately, my contractor was not smart.

 

[Reach4]

This is what should have been a routine replacement of both sides of the pitless adapter.

Yes. Was the solution and bulk of the damages paid due to the cost to get a replacement well drilled? Or was the remedy something else?

 

[DYI13]

Yes. Was the solution and bulk of the damages paid due to the cost to get a replacement well drilled? Or was the remedy something else?

We got reimbursed for the money we spent to camera the well, try (unsuccessfully) with a crane to remove the stuck piece, and run a new pump next to the stuck one—around 6K. Now everything is below the frost line as it’s supposed to be.

 

[Reach4]

We got reimbursed for the money we spent to camera the well, try (unsuccessfully) with a crane to remove the stuck piece, and run a new pump next to the stuck one—around 6K. Now everything is below the frost line as it’s supposed to be.

How much of the old drop pipe did you get out?

 

[DYI13]

Not sure what a drop pipe is—the old pump and its pipe is still in the well. They ran a new pipe and pump next to the old one.

 

[Reach4]

Not sure what a drop pipe is—the old pump and its pipe is still in the well. They ran a new pipe and pump next to the old one.

The drop pipe is the vertical pipe that connects to the pump.

So you got your actual expenses back, but you were not made whole. Better than it could have been.

 

[DYI13]

The drop pipe is the vertical pipe that connects to the pump.

So you got your actual expenses back, but you were not made whole. Better than it could have been.

We represented ourselves in court. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten a lawyer consultation. I think we could have been made whole if we presented the case differently.