Ever heard of PEX for hanging a submersible? I am tempted because of the very high static level during the winter freeze in upper MI. The casing sticks out above the snow and the static level is above ground level. Probably would want to use the best expanding connectors down at the pump.
PEX for submersible?
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Bob NH
In the Trades
If the casing sticks above the ground and is full of water, then I would put a big pile of leaves over it about 2 ft higher than the casing and about 8 ft diameter, and and cover the pile with a tarp, well staked down.
How far up in northern Michigan? I spend my early years in the Gladwin area about 100 miles north of Lansing.
How far up in northern Michigan? I spend my early years in the Gladwin area about 100 miles north of Lansing.
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We are about half way up the Keweenaw Peninsula, on the shore of the big lake looking west.
No, last time I looked (last fall) it was above ground but below the top of the casing. When I pumped from it with a sprinkler pump to fill a 65 gallon tank it did not come back up to that level for a day or so. I know that pex is about four times as expensive as the black poly, but I think it would be a good bet here. With the snow cover around it, and warmer water below in the pipe, I am curious what will happen if it freezes down to the pitless. If it does become a problem I will have to cover it with something as suggested.
No, last time I looked (last fall) it was above ground but below the top of the casing. When I pumped from it with a sprinkler pump to fill a 65 gallon tank it did not come back up to that level for a day or so. I know that pex is about four times as expensive as the black poly, but I think it would be a good bet here. With the snow cover around it, and warmer water below in the pipe, I am curious what will happen if it freezes down to the pitless. If it does become a problem I will have to cover it with something as suggested.
Raucina
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There is no history of PEX in a well and I do not see the MFG'S proposing it. PEX has no UV resistance, and the expansion fittings have no ratings as to hanging weight upon them in a vertical position. Thus I would use PE which freezes nicely without breaking.
Gary Slusser
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PE is the right choice and the insert/barbed fittings won't fit PEX, plus, PEX is CTS (copper tubing size) and PE is IPS (iron pipe size), meaning PE has a larger ID; when it says 1", it is 1" and PEX is 1 1/8" OD but smaller than 1" ID.
How old is this well and has it frozen in the past? And how do you keep the casing cap on it?
How old is this well and has it frozen in the past? And how do you keep the casing cap on it?
The well is brand new, and right now it has a pvc draw pipe through the top of it for a temporary sprinkler pump. I finally have my mini excavator so I can dig my water and power lines this Spring to my guest h/garage across the road from the well and transformer pad. It damn well pays up in the U.P to have your own equipment and sell it later if you must. I haven't been up there since the freeze but suspect it is all froze up down to a certain point. It has just a camo cover over the top of the casing and a sheet of plywood below that covering the access hole we dug for the pitless. I just hope it won't crack and fall down into the well. My bad.
Gary Slusser
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If you left it full of water I'd say that was bad and you'll probably NEVER do it again. lol
Gary, what will the water do? The least resistance is down at the bottom of a 18 foot 1" pipe. Won't it just swell out the bottom or does it establish a foot hold and then expand all directions? (I know what it does in a closed bottle or can, but not an open one)
Gary Slusser
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Water is said to freeze from the outside in, so bulging would occur which then blocks the pipe from any water or ice movement but we all know that as water freezes it expands. PE or PEX is semi flexible where metals and hard plastics are not and they can not accept any bulging without damage. PVC and CPVC will split and shatter/fragment.
pitless
Well Driller, pump installer, engineer
From my experience with wells like this there is no problem. The water won't freeze. You may ask why is that. Water is most dense about about 7 degrees above freezing. When the water in the top of the well gets to that temperature is falls and is replaced by warmer water. I have opened wells like this when it is -20 degrees and there is a thin film of ice at the top of the water at the casing. It would be prudent not to temp fate and keep the tarp or a mock rock over the well to keep the wind off.
