Tips for well line?

[JeremyBX2200]

Got the BX and my towable backhoe out for the first bigger spring project. Running a new line from the well in to the house to get rid of the outside well house. I also think the old line is leaking since my well pump started running constantly and the system won’t build more than about 25psi.

Got the main part of the trench dug. Plan is to use my pressure washer to bore under the foundation and in to the crawl space.

Today I need to do the last 5 ft of trench up to the well. First time doing this and I am a little concerned about not damaging the current electrical and well line while digging. Any pointers from people who have done it before?

Here are some pics of the progress

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Also, I wasn’t expecting this. The concrete for the footer extends out 4’ from the crawl space wall. House is just a 1 story on a crawl space. Expected 18-24”.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I'm not much help on this. Except to say nice work so far. And good luck!

 

[Vlach7]

I would have to have more info and see your system, hate to have you do a lot of unnecessary work/trenching, are you sure your pump is not just going bad? Leaks usually show themselves eventually. sounds like your pump at this moment.

 

[Vlach7]

I would test the flow at your well/pump first. Well also could be going dry/bad if that is an issue in your area.

 

[lynnmor]

That concrete may just be an old walk, you need to do some exploring with a shovel. Could also be excess concrete that was disposed of there. Another thought, could it be a grease trap for your sewage system?

Typically you can dig the trench past the well, it is your guess as to which side contains no pipe or wires.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

I would have to have more info and see your system, hate to have you do a lot of unnecessary work/trenching, are you sure your pump is not just going bad? Leaks usually show themselves eventually. sounds like your pump at this moment.

It very well could be the pump that is bad, but running the new line in to the house to get rid of the well house was something I had planned for this spring anyway. Figured if this doesn’t fix the pressure issue then I will replace the pump. May have to upsize it anyway with the other additions we are making to the property.

 

[pigdoc]

Having had to access my well plumbing and electrics a couple of times in recent years, my best advice is to use a hand shovel for the critical areas.

My next best advice is to NEVER assemble piping from dissimilar metals! Soil, especially acid soil, is an excellent electrolyte! Even "brass" can vary enough between manufacturers to cause a premature failure due to corrosion. Bottom line: use stainless steel for all metal components of the line. Or, you'll be digging it up again in a couple of years. [Been there, done that.]

You're probably going to need a new pitless adapter - the part that goes through the well casing. And, you'll probably need to lift your submersible pump up to get enough access to remove and replace it.

After having gone to the trouble you have, I wouldn't even think about recycling ANY of the components.

-Paul

 

[JeremyBX2200]

That concrete may just be an old walk, you need to do some exploring with a shovel. Could also be excess concrete that was disposed of there. Another thought, could it be a grease trap for your sewage system?

Typically you can dig the trench past the well, it is your guess as to which side contains no pipe or wires.

Thanks. I can look down the well and see the saddle/pitiless adapter to tell where the line comes out at. I will dig parallel to it on the side of the well. Then I can use a shovel to find it and dig around it.

I think the concrete is excess that might have come out the bottom of the form. It is rough and unfinished. It isn’t too thick and I was able to dig under it with my shovel from the trench. In the past I have used my circular saw with a masonry blade to relief cut a slab then break it up with a sledge. I also have a hammer drill. Thinking maybe I can use a larger bit to drill a series of holes and then break it with a sledge. At least to break up the rough over pour area. Then I should only have about 2 ft bore with my pressure washer to get the pipe in to the crawl space.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

I was able to dig down next to the well and then hand dig from the side to find the pipe and electrical. Last step is boring in to the crawlspace and then I will be ready to swap the lines and electrical over to the ones coming from the house utility room.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Do yourself a big favour, run the new continuous, one piece water pipe IN conduit,as well as the electrical wiring.

 

[dirtydeed]

I was going to say to hand dig next to the well casing...but you've already done that. It does look wet next to your well, so, maybe there is a leak.

I would be sure to check your pressure tank first. You may be experiencing an undercharged tank, or broken bladder. The other common issue could be the pressure switch. Sometimes they get plugged with sediment.

For that concrete next to the foundation. I can't tell what that is. Where is your septic tank located? I would try digging further to the right in that pic...away from the septic cleanout and see if that concrete continues. My suggestion would be to get a 4' soil probe (you can get one from amazon) and do some probing first so you aren't wasting time digging. Here is one that I got recently...

https://www.amazon.com/Bully-Tools-99203-Tstyle-48_inch/dp/B00KOMTJ7E/ref=sr_1_2_mod_primary_new?crid=2S28GT78K03XF&keywords=bully%2Bdog%2Bsoil%2Bprobe&qid=1681081588&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=bully%2Bdog%2Bsoil%2Bprobe%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-2&th=1

Once at the foundation, just bore a hole in the block (rotary hammer) and run your new line thru it. Seal it with fast plug (hydraulic cement).

I just did another water line recently and found that I had to re-route the entire service because I "found" an old cistern in the way. I have one to do tomorrow as well. I'm hoping for the best.

 

[dirtydeed]

One tip for you...cover the new line with about 6" of screenings, sand, or modified stone. The well pipe should lay in that cushion. I'd run a new electric line to it as well. If you don't have any off-sets in the old well line, you can use it (right where it is) as an electrical conduit.

 

[Vlach7]

Any time I trench I put an extra 1" or 3/4" run of PVC in case I need for the future. Do not want to dig that trench again, just cap the ends.

 

[JeremyBX2200]

Thanks for all the pointers. The new line will be one continuous run from the well in to the pressure tank in the utility room. I will also run all new electrical from the box to the new pressure switch and to the well. I am planning on running an extra supply pipe for a backup.

 

[trial and error]

You need more rocks/boulders pulled from your trench to male it a bit more of a challenge

 

[fried1765]

Any time I trench I put an extra 1" or 3/4" run of PVC in case I need for the future. Do not want to dig that trench again, just cap the ends.

Any time I bury an empty conduit, I put a piece of 1/4" polypropylene line in it.
To have readily available,...... for pulling something through the conduit at a later date.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Any time I bury an empty conduit, I put a piece of 1/4" polypropylene line in it.
To have readily available,...... for pulling something through the conduit at a later date.

Yessir! And if you don't, you can pull one through with a shop vac at one end.

 

[DustyRusty]

If you use PVC make sure to use the cleaner before you glue the joints, so they don't pull apart anytime in the future.

 

[Tarmy]

Do yourself a big favour, run the new continuous, one piece water pipe IN conduit,as well as the electrical wiring.

I was going to post exactly this.

use oversized sched 80 Electrical conduit or something durable. Then pull water line. Same with electrical. Run one extra 1” electrical conduit in case there is some other feature or lighting…whatever…that may come up. Put a big pull box at the pump end of those sleeve conduit and that way you can service the lines from there.

get a wrecking bar and poke around that concrete and see if that is separate or waste as mentioned.