Well Water
- Thread starter Tim Smith
- Start date
David Saulque
Senior Moderator
I don't prep houses, but I do have a well. My well is 20 gpm. My water if put under pressure by a pump, not by the pressure of the well. Now if your well is 3 gpm you best bring your own water, or you will out strip your water supply fast. My holding tank is 50 gallons.
David
David
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
Tim,
Do you have a tank at all? If not, I would be concerned about using the well for an extended period of time (say 3 hours).
About five years ago I did a job where we ran the well too long and it overloaded the system............was putting out brown water, and not much pressure.
I would at least give it a break every now and then...........maybe wash some, then eat lunch, wash some more..........etc.
Do you have a tank at all? If not, I would be concerned about using the well for an extended period of time (say 3 hours).
About five years ago I did a job where we ran the well too long and it overloaded the system............was putting out brown water, and not much pressure.
I would at least give it a break every now and then...........maybe wash some, then eat lunch, wash some more..........etc.
oneness
Member
I agree with Mike...depending on how deep the well is, you may run out of water if you run too long. You may want to speak with the homeowner about this, and find out if they do things like watering the yard for extended periods of time, etc, and if they have ever experienced a problem with the well running dry. As long as that's not a problem, and you have a decent sized water tank, I don't see a problem.
John Orr
Member
Quite a few of my customers are in "rural" areas with wells. Here are a few issues I deal with:
1. Hard water deposits on the windows. Let the customer know, or you'll be washing windows by hand.
2. If the customer will not be there during the cleaning, ask them to allow you access to the pump reset!
3. If you haven't actually tested the gpm's, I would do it. Aside from the damage to your pump, it will take you much longer to do the work. If there is less gpm's than you need, get a tank. Even a 55 gal drum would be enough. If your pump is 4 gpm, well is 3 gpm, then you'll have 50 or so minutes of non-stop (assuming you fill the tank) cleaning. Make sure the drum is above your pump.
4. If you use a tank, discard any leftover water - you won't want to use it anywhere else.
5. Ask the customer if their spigots are connected to there water softener. If it is, there will be fewer spots, but they may not want their systems overworked.
1. Hard water deposits on the windows. Let the customer know, or you'll be washing windows by hand.
2. If the customer will not be there during the cleaning, ask them to allow you access to the pump reset!
3. If you haven't actually tested the gpm's, I would do it. Aside from the damage to your pump, it will take you much longer to do the work. If there is less gpm's than you need, get a tank. Even a 55 gal drum would be enough. If your pump is 4 gpm, well is 3 gpm, then you'll have 50 or so minutes of non-stop (assuming you fill the tank) cleaning. Make sure the drum is above your pump.
4. If you use a tank, discard any leftover water - you won't want to use it anywhere else.
5. Ask the customer if their spigots are connected to there water softener. If it is, there will be fewer spots, but they may not want their systems overworked.
Power Clean of America
Member
Hey Tim,
I'm confused a little.
You say the well produces 3 gal a minute, yet it pumps 15 gals a minute out of the well? heck, thats fire hydrant water.
Anyway, that aside. Is it the well produces 3 gal a minute or they only pump 3 gals a minute? I would think that would be a big distinction in your concern of running the well dry or harming the well.
good luck
I'm confused a little.
You say the well produces 3 gal a minute, yet it pumps 15 gals a minute out of the well? heck, thats fire hydrant water.
Anyway, that aside. Is it the well produces 3 gal a minute or they only pump 3 gals a minute? I would think that would be a big distinction in your concern of running the well dry or harming the well.
good luck
oneness
Member
If he can run it two hours every night you shouldn't have a problem with using too much water. You will need a tank, of course.
One thing I'm looking at adding is a softener, since there are so many people around here on wells. Even if the well is deep and the water is clean and clear, it is still going to be hard.
One thing I'm looking at adding is a softener, since there are so many people around here on wells. Even if the well is deep and the water is clean and clear, it is still going to be hard.
Steven Rowlett
Member
Tim, Test the water hardness on in different areas and it will help with your chemical uses. a flow meter will give you percise results.
Did the job - everything worked great.
I ran for 2hrs-rest the pump/well for 30mins and ran another 3hrs.
I use TSP, soap, and small amount of chlorine - it worked great. I basically stripped the home down to the wood. I removed about 80% of the paint (customer requested).
Now we are going to paint, install gutters, and replace the roof. We are also building a screen-in porch on the front and a deck on the back.
Thanks for the info.
I ran for 2hrs-rest the pump/well for 30mins and ran another 3hrs.
I use TSP, soap, and small amount of chlorine - it worked great. I basically stripped the home down to the wood. I removed about 80% of the paint (customer requested).
Now we are going to paint, install gutters, and replace the roof. We are also building a screen-in porch on the front and a deck on the back.
Thanks for the info.