Hey, I have a plumbing question... I have a well in my basement (yes, in my basement). It only has two pipes coming off it, one for a hose outside, and the other for drinking water from a second tap at the sink. I turned the tap on yesterday, and only a tiny trickle came out, and after that nothing. I checked downstairs, the pump is running fine, and there is water pressure down there. I checked under the sink, I took the shut-off off and there was nothing, even though I had drained the line from downstairs there was still water flush up to the shut off... any thoughts? It seems the only thing it could be is a clogged pipe, but what could cause a pipe to have a 100% blockage like that?

If I understand you correctly you have a well in the basement. From that well you have a line to the outside for a hose and you have a line to the kitchen. I gather that this is separate form your other plumbing.

You indicate that you somehow drained the line to the kitchen from the basement. You then remove the stop valve in the kitchen and found water in the pipe. Water that should have drained when you drained the pipe in the basement. I assume you have water at the outside faucet.

If all this is correct, there must be another valve between where you drained the line in the basement and the stop valve in the kitchen. Water supply pipes don't get stopped up, only valves. Find that valve and you will probably find either debris in the valve or a loose washer.

All that is correct, and I looked, there are no other valves, only a direct pipe.

Pipe could go upward somewhere you can't see...would explain the water in the pipe when you drained the pipe, maybe?

When you removed the shut off valve did you put a towel or a bucket over the end of the pipe and turn the water supply back on to clear the line of any sediment/debris? If not, that should be your next step

Back to you...

Mark

There is a small section of pipe that is hidden. I did turn the water back on with the shut-off removed, and not a drop came out.

I suggest putting the stop valve under the sink back on, then connecting that valve to another water source. You said the well water was for drinking purposes, you should have another water source near by for other kitchen purposes. Open both valves and the obstruction should be blown out in the basement.

Sounds like we talking about three systems. A dedicated line to a drinking faucet, another line to a outside house, and the third line to your house. Is that correct? Back to you, Tom

There is just one line inside to the tap, it has on fork off it that goes to an outside tap (shut off for the winter). All of this is indoors.