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mickey2742
Dec 17, 2008, 01:16 AM
I have a well house and a pump that is approximately 75 feet down. I had water today when I left today and upon my return 5 hours later there was no water in the house. I changed this pump approx 3 or 4 years ago... where do I begin to test? Could it be frozen?

21boat
Dec 17, 2008, 01:51 AM
I would first look at the breaker to see if its not triped. Then I would look at my pump pressure gage and see if there is pressure in that line. Then get a thermomater and see what the temp is in the pump house by the water lines. If is freezing then I would put a heat lamp or a 100 what bulb in the pump house for a start and A hair dryer could be a good quicker test and heat up the waterline. Is it a strong well or a seeper(slow) well. If there's no pressure you may have lost your prime on the pump. Check these things. Need more info. If your pump is accesable you might see a relay on it a little gray box that sits on the side and that may be tripped. Need more info.

mickey2742
Dec 17, 2008, 01:55 AM
Breaker is not tripped. I have had a 60 watt bulb over the pipe that sticks out. When I try to prime it to turn it back on it does nothing... there is water still in the bladder.

21boat
Dec 17, 2008, 02:20 AM
How much water in the bladder. What's the pressure at the bladder tank. Just a quick check for the bladder tap it starting from the bottom and go to the top. Does the sound change about half way or does it sound the same the whole way.The bladder shoud be about half full unless it lost air. What are you trying to prime? If the bladder lost air it needs recharged the pressure in the bladder should be 2 lbs below what you're the low limit is when the well pimp kicks in.

mickey2742
Dec 17, 2008, 06:10 AM
Very odd... it warmed up a bit by a few degrees... I just woke up 4 to 5 hours later and to my surprise I have water (nobody did anything more due to the late hour only change was the outside temperature)... amazing... is it possible that there could have been something frozen from the hose/pipe that goes to the submerged well pump?

speedball1
Dec 17, 2008, 06:14 AM
If warmer temperatures got your water back then I would suspect that a frozen pipe was your problem. Glad you're all fixed up. Tom

mickey2742
Dec 17, 2008, 06:24 AM
The water is back on... but I am still a bit confused... I am assuming (which I hate doing) that the big long pipe that runs down to the submerged pump was the one that was froze... how do I make sure this does not occur again? That line goes from the submerged pump to the pipes that go to the bladder tank..? Not something that I could possible wrap... help... and thanks for all the input it is appreciated!

21boat
Dec 17, 2008, 06:42 AM
mickey2742 I sugessted to put the light in the well house or heat lamp. Were you in the well house doing this trying thing? For right now I think it was a frozen well line in the pump house. In the old days if the pump house is flush to the ground we just used leaves from the fall and built that up to insulate the top better. The other tried and true way was to leave a 100 bulb in the pit/well house. Also we used to run an outlet to the pump house for light to work in it and to use it to plug a lamp in for cold days of winter, and keep the lid an insulated cover would be another thought. Heat tape wrapped around the pipe is good also if you have a separate source of power. That's alli can think of. Maybe someone sees this thread and has more to offer. Glad you have water good luck.

mickey2742
Dec 17, 2008, 06:51 AM
I did have a bulb over the line that feeds the water to the house but not one over the well line... should I put a bulb over that as well? Thanks for all your help!

21boat
Dec 17, 2008, 06:59 AM
Your main objective is to keep that whole area warmer and don't set the light on the pipe itself. I know you know that But! I had to say it and make sure the light doesn't slip onto your pipe. I hope it works for you.

speedball1
Dec 17, 2008, 07:28 AM
Perhaps a heat strip is the answer. Check it out at; How To Install Heat Tape (http://www.mygreathome.com/fix-it_guide/heat_tape.htm)
Good luck, Tom

chellsie08
Feb 8, 2012, 12:18 PM
I have been out of my trailer for a few days as I am staying with my mom. I got home today and don't have any water but a little dribble how do I know what it is

jlisenbe
Feb 8, 2012, 06:57 PM
1. Check the breaker. Is it on?
2. Check the pressure gauge. What does it read?
3. Find the switch and remove the little grey cover. Take a look at the points (with the power off). Are they together or apart?