Well Repair

It doesn't matter what time of year it is, water is the name of the game. In the winter, you fight to keep it open. In the summer, you make sure it never quits. Whether it is in the field or through the trough, all action ceases when the water stops. 

At the bottom of our field, lies Grandpa's well. Well water is scarce at this end of the county. Great-grandpa's first well was terrible water. Grandpa's first well was deep and the same quality. This well was drilled some 50 years ago and has been barn burner ever since. Sitting at only 50' deep, it not only has potable water but also has a volume that won't quit. 

However, the pump is not indestructible. A couple weeks ago, the pump of 25 years went out. After replacing it, Dad never felt right about its performance. When we looked it over today, we noticed that the pump would never quit running as it tried to build up the 100 pounds of pressure it takes to get water up our hill. So we decided to pull it. Before doing so, good to make sure the power is dead. 

Thankfully it is not very deep and we can pull it by hand. 

It is always good to have a security rope attached to the submersible pump when it is installed. Dad held tight as I cut the poly  instead of messing with the hose clamps. 

Then just kept pulling until all was out of the casing. 

Now we could look at it in comparison with the original pump. 

Turns out the new pump still has a 1hp motor but is higher volume and less pressure. Thankfully, we found a pump that is higher pressure with lesser volume. All we had to do is change the motor from one pump to another, which is the bottom portion of the submersible.

Then reattach the 1 1/4" poly. The best way to get it to slip over the barb fitting is to heat up the poly first. 

Bam. Back in the hole we go. 

She fell right back in and we were able to plumb it all back together.

Then wire it up. 

Money. 115 psi is great. 

That will get water up the hill to the house and down to the corral at the barn. 

If you stay tough when troubles arise, you can see them through to the good that God wants to bring. Our original pump was sufficient, but died. The second was adequate but could never take a break. This new one has good pressure, plus more volume than the original! With a garden and critters to water on top of normal house held stuff, compromised water pressure is not tolerable. Alls well that ends well. Thankfully it worked out while I was home to help Dad and that they had the right pump in town. We ranch on.