[mmindak]

OK, so my friends tell me that this would only happen to me... we can't find our well - which is or first problem. How does one lose a well you may ask, I don't know but the county (Montgomery Co, MD) records do not go back far enough on our house (built in 1959).

We have pump in the basement which I believe is called a jet pump which means (as I understand it) it is a.) not a submersible pump, b.) is old, c.) possibly means our well may not have an above ground pipe/cover/part d.) is a good working and good condition pump.

The other problem we have aside from the fact no one can find the well (even though we have been digging holes in the back yard) is that we do not have good enough water pressure outside to wash the car (a problem for the husband, not for me-that's why God invented the car wash). Someone from a well and septic company is trying to sell my husband a constant pressure pump which I am not sure we need. We do not lose pressure when showering and flushing the toilet or doing dishes at the same time. So 2 questions - do we really need a new, submers. Pump to increase outside water pressure and any ideas how to find our well?

[jlisenbe]

You can probably solve your pressure problem by simply adjusting the switch. This site has a very nice description of how that's done. I would not even think about a new pump at this time, especially considering you can't find the well anyway:)

How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

Now, as to finding the well, my only suggestion would be to follow the well pipe from where it leaves your basement. Of course, that will involve digging down to it and then following where it leads, which will be quite a chore. Anybody else out there with a better idea?

[bluestones]

You may have a point well. A point well is a pointed, perforated pipe that has been driven 15-25 feet below the surface of the basement floor that is attached to a jet pump and a tank in the basement.

[hkstroud]

On your well tank there should be a pressure gauge. What pressure does you pump come on and at what pressure does it shut off. A jet pump will have two pipe connected to it, one larger than the other. Does your tank have a little valve on top that looks like the valve stem on a car tire. A jet type pump could be old but not necessarily so. It is a commonly use type of pump.

You say you do not have a problem inside the house, when Hubby washes the car does he use a nozzle or an open ended hose? Does the water pressure start of fine then drop off, or is it inadequate as soon as you open the faucet. I believe you have a volume problem, not a pressure problem.

How could anyone put in a submersible pump if they don't know where the well is. I don't know what a constant pressure pump is. Most well pumps, whether submersible or above ground, are turned on and off by a pressure switch which is on the well tank.

Bluestones could be correct, you could have a shallow well underneath your basement floor. I cannot see someone drilling a well and then covering it up such that it can't be located.

Can you post a picture of your pump, tank, and piping.

[jlisenbe]

Guys, this was a June post. It's over.

[hkstroud]

OK, so I'm getting old and senile.

[jlisenbe]

Old, perhaps... senile?? I don't think so.