Well losing pressure - double drop j5 Gould

[Jpinsarasota]

My Well will not get to Pressure. It is for garden use only. I haven’t used it for a couple of years. I assume that I have a leak in the well because I am not finding any leaks above ground or in any of the fittings. I have a J5 double drop Gould Jet pump. I have never opened the well before, and I’m not sure how to achieve this. It looks like the two PVC pipes go down the Well head. Do I need to cut them? I did quite a bit of pressure coming out of the garden taps, but the pump never shuts off. When I turn the pump off, the pressure in the system drops from a high of 28 pounds per pressure to approximately 10 pounds. I do not find any above ground leaks. I also am noticing a hole in the cover. Is that normal?
Take a look at the photos of the pipes going down the well. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[WorthFlorida]

Do you have a pressure tank? Is there a pressure switch? No need to cut pipe. Any idea of the depth of the well and injector (jet)?

I think if you dig down both pipes probably go into one casing. If not used in years the foot valve just maybe jamb up and not closing thereby losing pressure Only if you have a pressure tank. If there is one, have you checked it for leaks. Is the tank properly set up with the correct pressure.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Valveman]

Those threaded plugs could be causing a suction leak, because that is what it sounds like.

 

[Jpinsarasota]

I do have a pressure tank. Pressure is at 28lbs, 30-50 switch.

1. Do the metal plugs serve a purpose? I’m just not clear how I can pull the foot valve up without cutting the pipe.

2. Is there a nice trick for unplugging a foot valve.

To recap, when I turn the pump off, pressure drops. I assume I have a leak in the well. The pump does not lose prime.

Thanks for your help

 

[Valveman]

Those plugs are for priming. But they can cause a suction leak. The foot valve will be at the bottom of those two pipes. You will need to cut the pipes and pull them out of the well to find the foot valve.

 

[Jpinsarasota]

I’m having trouble pulling the pipes out of the well. I built a tripod, and I’m using a come long. I’m afraid that I will break the PVC pipes. Any recommendations on how to pull the pipes out? With a two drop pipe, should they both be pulled at the same time or individually? Thanks for any suggestions?

 

[Reach4]

Usually that extra hole would be an air vent that gets screened to exclude bugs. I understand this is not the main point of your post.

 

[Bannerman]

With a two drop pipe, should they both be pulled at the same time or individually?

Both pipes will be threaded into an injector assembly located within the well casing, as shown in Worth Florida's diagram in post #2. Both will need to be pulled at the same time.

 

[Valveman]

And sometimes the well seal itself is stuck, which must also come up with the pipes. Do not remove the nuts on the well seal, only loosen them.