There is a lot I simply cannot know about my well. I moved-in in Feb. and will close sale in July. Owner lived here two years. The only info available about the well comes from a neighbor who lived nearby for 17 yrs.
Here are fhe facts as I know them:
1. Water abruptly stops flowing. No air, hissing, sputtering or signs of dirty water. Its crystal clear, tastes great, but water pressure has never been all that hot - acceptable, but just.
2. Depth of well is said by neighbor to be 250'. I have not confirmed this,
3. Age is about 30 yrs.
4. Sice of well is 4", I think, but am not certain.
5. Pump is sumersible. Make, model, specs unkown.
6. QD Control Box shows wired for 230V
7. Pressuer tank was 52 gal. when abrupt stoppage of water began last week. I have changed the tank since. See below.
8. Tank uses low-pressure shutoff switch.
Water stoppage first occurred last week and it coincided with power loss followed by 3 hard power surges, Before, there was water. Afterward there was none. Still, I think it might have been coincidental. I didn't use any water during the outage, tho my wife said there was a toilet that was running without shutting off. I don't remember that happening.
A pump man came, pronounced the tank "bad" and sent me to the plumbing supply house to buy a 20 Gallon Amitrol Tank pre-charged to 38 PSI. He insisted that 20 gal. was plenty - that there was no advantage whatever in buying a larger tank. The man at the Plumbing supply held exactly the same view. He couold readily have sold me an 80 gal. tank, but he said there was no use. He had larger ones on hand, too. So, he did not have to order one.
Pump guy then installs tank and throws on a new pressure gauge for good measure. Water flows fine - for one day!
The next evening at 10:30 p,m., we are getting ready for bed, but... no water. I fiddled with the low pressure switch and pressure climbed to 60 pst. Typically it sits at 40 or so, but does go higher and lower with water usage.
When pressure resumed - the pump topped-off the tank fast. Whether this is meaningful, I do not know.
Today, the installer called and said he had been thinking about it, and suggested that I get rid of the low-pressure switch and install a standard switch. He said this would reduce the hassle of fooling with the low pressure switch.
I am a retired gunsmith. I don't know squat about any for this stuff. I've lived in a very rural area for a long time. Spent my childhood on a dairy and hog operation in the boondocks, so I recollect that wells were a pain in the arse.
Any ideas lads? I will very much appreciate any thoughts you might have. Do I want to ditch the low pressure switch? Should I write-off the 20 gal tank and get a bigger one. Anyone have thoughts as to the real, bottom-line, cause of these problems?
As always - thank you in advance for your replies. I'm always glad to answer any questions about your firearms by email or tel. Just let me know.
BTW a shout-out to the 75th Ranger Battallion & their families on this Memorial Day
Stay Low Boys!
