1/2hp water pump vs 3/4hp water pump...need fast answer...please

[Gary Slusser]

LOL you mentioned a deep well and lines through the foundation and the pump in the crawl space and that all describes a deep well jet pump.

So now it sounds as if you did laundry and pulled the water level down to the pump's foot valve (water inlet) and it sucked air. If you get air again, that's probably the cause.

[rockky]

Well, (no pun intended ) I only know that the the standard well when we built 20 years ago was priced out at up to 100 ft. We paid more for them to go deeper. I don't know what constitutes a 'deep well'.

When the plumbers dug up, last week, at the pipe that comes up out the ground, they went down about 4-5 ft. and replaced the fittings from the well pipe to the conduit that comes across the yard and into the foundation of the house.

My son spent hours under the house, but we didn't do too much talking. He was not a happy camper and didn't seem to want to discuss the mechanics of the system to educate me. Last night he said that the pipe that extends above the ground is just like a big straw.

Those fittings that the plumbers replaced were really in bad shape. They seemed to think that the air coming and going in the system was because fittings were shot, but we had a wet year here. When the ground was wet, there was less air in the system. When it dried out, more air was being sucked up.

That seems like a long shot to me, but since we have no problems now I'll just be happy with that theory. My son isn't convinced, and he thinks the problem was in the fitting under the house. He's waiting for it to start again. We've had so many things go wrong lately he's kinda frustrated and negative.

Welcome to the fun of home remodeling! One step forward, two steps back. It'll be nice when it's done though.

Now........if I could just understand the heat pump.......sigh.

[Gary Slusser]

The pipe that sticks up out of the yard is the well casing. The water line goes through the side of it 4-5' deep where those fittings are.

Your pump is a shallow well, single line jet pump and it can suck water from no deeper than 25' from the surface of the yard at sea level. And in reality, about 21'. I the water level falls below that the water line/pump will suck air.

The jet is in your pump.

Your son did a fine job. Bake his favorite cake.

[rockky]

I'll owe my son more than a cake, Gary.

He's put up a support beam where we ripped out the fireplace, adding and replacing dry wall, doing the plumbing, the electrical work, replacing the kitchen ceiling, installing the kitchen cabinets, laying hardwood and tile floors, putting tile on the counter tops, and replacing the stairs which were covered with carpet.

Actually, he had a tile business. He dissolved it in the last week. There just isn't any work in this area right now. He's good. He's honest. His prices were very reasonable. It's tough to compete with the big box stores. So, for now, we're working on the house. I'm his "Tim the Toolman" stand in. He's Al.

[Gary Slusser]

There's probably not going to be much tile work for a number of years. He may want to do some home study and learn how to work on pumps, there's always someone with a bad pump. And if he knows a number of plumbers, they might send pump business his way.

Service: Franklin AIM - Americas Water Systems - Franklin Electric (http://www.franklin-electric.com/business/WaterSystems/service/AIM/default.aspx - broken link)

[rockky]

Thanks, Gary. I'll pass that on.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by rockky

Thanks, Gary. I'll pass that on.

Better check for license codes in your state. To put a pump on in many states requires a licence. Not home owners but, when there is a fee, there are codes.

[rockky]

Yeah, Driller. You need to be licensed to do even tile work. If you live close to state lines, you need to be licensed in both states to work nearby jobs. That can be very expensive.

New regs around here (nuisance type...doesn't protect the customers....just collects $$ for government) have keep the small business person out of the market.

Edited to add: I should say you need a business license for the tile work. You don't need to be tested or meet any standards. Thus, some really poor work out there. Escecially showers.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by rockky

Yeah, Driller. You need to be licensed to do even tile work. If you live close to state lines, you need to be licensed in both states to work nearby jobs. That can be very expensive.

New regs around here (nuisance type...doesn't protect the customers....just collects $$ for government) have keep the small business person out of the market.

Edited to add: I should say you need a business license for the tile work. You don't need to be tested or meet any standards. Thus, some really poor work out there. Escecially showers.

Yep, it can be a PAIN.
Our driller/pump installer licence in Michigan is one of the hardest in the US. It takes about two years in the program, lots of letters and recommendations and a test that would knock your socks off. THEN if you make it, you go before the review board. The supply houses in Michigan will not sell parts to you without a license either.