Well pump problems

[samWski]

A recent storm knocked out our power for a week. We didn't have any water when it came back on. I discovered the copper line going to a small electrical box was plugged with sediment. The gauge wasn't working either because of gunk blocking the hole.

Pressure was reading 44 psi after I cleaned things up but the pump would run continuously. If I turned off the single pole switch and turned it back on the pump would remain off. A day later there's no pressure and water just trickles from the faucet.

There's a large plug on a valve body on top of the pump. Water sprays everywhere when I loosen it and bubbles out if I remove it. Once I tighten it back up and start the pump I'll have about 10 psi but it quickly drops to zero. The pump goes from a nice humming
sound to a rattling noise too.

I also tried to remove a small plug on the opposite side from where the copper tube goes to the electrical contacts. It fell right out when I turned it. Not there's some seepage of gunk from there.

Any ideas what's going on?

 

[samWski]

A recent storm knocked out our power for a week. We didn't have any water when it came back on. I discovered the copper line going to a small electrical box was plugged with sediment. The gauge wasn't working either because of gunk blocking the hole.

Pressure was reading 44 psi after I cleaned things up but the pump would run continuously. If I turned off the single pole switch and turned it back on the pump would remain off. A day later there's no pressure and water just trickles from the faucet.

There's a large plug on a valve body on top of the pump. Water sprays everywhere when I loosen it and bubbles out if I remove it. Once I tighten it back up and start the pump I'll have about 10 psi but it quickly drops to zero. The pump goes from a nice humming
sound to a rattling noise too.

I also tried to remove a small plug on the opposite side from where the copper tube goes to the electrical contacts. It fell right out when I turned it. Not there's some seepage of gunk from there.

Any ideas what's going on?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[samWski]

View attachment 65165

 

[samWski]

 

[Valveman]

Probably need a new back pressure valve. May also need to clean or replace the ejector at the bottom of the well.

 

[samWski]

Is the back pressure valve the thing on top of the pump? If so that and the pump were installed in 1986.

Probably need a new back pressure valve. May also need to clean or replace the ejector at the bottom of the well.

 

[Valveman]

Yeah that back pressure valve with the adjustment bolt sticking to the left is probably also full of silt. I would get a new valve at least. If the pump has been moving a lot of sediment you might as well get the whole thing while you at it.

 

[Craigpump]

We got hit hard in Southbury, 6 days with no power!

Jet pumps are your best friend or worst nightmare.

Now would be a really good time to convert that old jet system to a submersible. Those old cast iron jet pumps have rust deposits in them that can & will break loose and go down and plug the jet. By the time you buy a new Goulds jet pump, a jet assy, well seal, fittings, poly pipe, labor etc you're almost at the same price point as a stainless submersible that will out perform that jet everyday of the week.

Something to consider

 

[samWski]

We ended up getting a new jet pump, piping from the top of the well down, and foot valve. I think that's all. We haven't been billed yet.

Craigpump, I didn't check in here and missed what you had to say. I'm a little bummed out about it now.

Approximately how much would the job you described cost? I think our well is down 75-100'