question on well clearance

rbig · Jul 25, 2012

We live over in the southwest corner of NC. We have a 400-600' deep well, with pump on bottom.

In all situations I used to be around, you needed to be able to back and vertical truck rig in to "pull" the well, for pump replacment, etc.

I'm wondering if their is new technology available which will let you not have to have a vertical truck rig in to do that. I'd like to put a platform over the well head (give it 8' clearance), but think I may have to leave it in the clear.

Does anyone know if there is any way not to have to leave clearance for a vertical truck rig coming into the well?

Valveman · Jul 25, 2012

With a shallow well there are ways. With a well that deep you should leave plenty of room for the boom truck. Few things worse for a pump man than to show up to a well with a Platform, Gazebo, or even a three car garage built over it with post set in concrete.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

rbig · Jul 25, 2012

OK. I see allow room for boom truck is the only way to go here. Thanks. Not what I wanted to hear, but was what I needed to know.....

Cacher_Chick · Jul 25, 2012

I have seen a couple of wells in outbuildings. They had an access hatch in the roof used to pull the well pump.

Masterpumpman · Jul 26, 2012

There are ways to install pumps without using a pump hoist! One is to use a Pull-a-Pump http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB_jzeU1Xgw but you will still need above the well clearance. Another option is to install the pump on polyethylene pipe. However in any case you may need above the well clearance to pull galvanized or schedule 80 PVC the first time. Then reinstall the pump on polyethylene pipe. Many plumbers in North Carolina and other states are licensed pump installers and they use the Pull-a-Pump device.

Craigpump · Jul 28, 2012

I have seen wells under additions. Try to explain to the homeowner that not only will the carpet be ruined, but they will also need to repair that hole in the ceiling and roof!

The worst one I ever pulled was in a closet. In the front door, turn to the left, enter the next room, close the door and open the closet door on your right. 3/4-5 at 400' deep on poly pipe with no room for an up z dazy. We took the doors off the hinges, laid out tarps, hung plastic on the walls and took turns pulling by hand.

Yep, it was expensive

Texas Wellman · Jul 28, 2012

Sometimes it's just better to walk away when it's too much of a hassle.

bcpumpguy · Jul 29, 2012

there is a layflat pump drop that will do that depth, it mucho $$ however.

Craigpump · Aug 1, 2012

We like a challenge

hj · Aug 1, 2012

A 600' well will have about 250 psi on the pipe at the bottom, and I doubt that ANY PVC or PE pipe will withstand that pressure.

Valveman · Aug 1, 2012

I wouldn’t be afraid of 200# poly. It has burst strength of 2 to 5 times the rated pressure. And that lay flat stuff is also used for fire hose, so I know it could handle the pressure. The problem will be the weight on the way out. 1 Â¼” pipe full of water will weigh 1.08 pounds per foot. Add the weight of the pump and wire, and you could easily have more than 1,000 pounds to lift. High static water level will help because of buoyancy, but it will still be heavy. I wouldn’t try it without a hoist truck, and Upsy-Dayz or something to help with the weight. So you are going to need to leave some room to work.

LLigetfa · Aug 1, 2012

valveman said:
I wouldn’t be afraid of 200# poly...

Sure, for burst strength, but I'd be worried about tensile strength pulling a thousand pounds.

Valveman · Aug 1, 2012

LLigetfa said:
Sure, for burst strength, but I'd be worried about tensile strength pulling a thousand pounds.

That is when you might want to use a Stainless Steel cable down the well.

question on well clearance

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