Messages

1

Pumps, Wells, Tanks, Controls / Re: PK1A Installed 2 years ago - PVC Elbows started failing

« on: June 20, 2022, 02:00:02 PM »

Eventually every single fitting failed.  I have had a plumber come in and fix some of them and install a pressure gauge before the PK1A.  This was after a fitting blew while I was out of town which flooded the basement.  The pressure in the well feed pipe runs about 50psi until the pump turns on.  At that point, it jumps to 170psi and stays there until the pump turns off.  Is there anything that I can do short of getting a new well pump to help regulate the back pressure when the well pump is running?

2

Pumps, Wells, Tanks, Controls / Re: PK1A Installed 2 years ago - PVC Elbows started failing

« on: April 07, 2021, 02:18:20 PM »

On second thought, I definitely do not have a check valve.  It sounds like the issue is most likely poor gluing during initial construction.  All of the elbows have been replaced now.  I was just wondering if I need to do something to prevent future issues.  Overall very happy with the PK1A.  Thanks for your responses.

3

Pumps, Wells, Tanks, Controls / Re: PK1A Installed 2 years ago - PVC Elbows started failing

« on: April 07, 2021, 01:04:59 PM »

I'm really not sure about the well pump.  I seem to recall it is about 150' down and about another 200' from the house.  I am fairly certain that there is no water hammering happening.  I would hear/see it if I were next to everything when it started/stopped, right?  I could never actually tell where the leak was in the joint but the cement weld does make the most sense.  I observed one go from a small drip to a fine spray over the period of about a week so it was getting progressively worse over time.  It was never anywhere near a total failure.  Rather it was a nuisance that I needed to deal with when I could make the time.  Fortunately, the basement is not finished.

4

Pumps, Wells, Tanks, Controls / PK1A Installed 2 years ago - PVC Elbows started failing

« on: April 07, 2021, 08:55:34 AM »

In the past year, every single PVC elbow that runs from where the well pipe enters the house to the valve has failed.  They were all installed when the house was built in 2004.  They started by dripping and then spraying water when under pressure.  They did not break altogether but they got the floor pretty wet each time.

I never even realized that PVC elbows could fail as they seem so solid.  The pipe run is all 1" PVC and there were a total of 12 elbows in the run.  They didn't all fail at once and I'm not sure it is due to the valve but the timing seems a little odd.  I have replaced them all but I'm wondering if I should be using something other than PVC for that run - a neighbor has suggested PEX but I don't know anything about it.

5

Frequently Asked Questions / Re: Another VFD is best argument

« on: May 17, 2019, 09:58:14 AM »

I was reading that whole thread, which is now locked so I'm replying here.  I have nowhere near the knowledge of either of you two but I have this question about pump cavitation.  If there were truly cavitation happening at the well pump, wouldn't that result in air in your pipes?  It seems that any type of cavitation would result in air bubbles that would flow up the well pipe and into your home system.  You'd know if it were happening pretty darn quickly.  Am I missing something?

6

Frequently Asked Questions / Re: Is a CSV right for me?

« on: May 17, 2019, 08:36:41 AM »

Thank you for your responses.  I've ordered the PK1A kit with a 10 gallon tank and look forward to installing it!  BTW - my understanding is that my water is pretty hard on the tank membranes which is one of the reasons for failure (more so than the pump cycling too much).  Add to that the fact that I'm adding chlorine bleach to the water helps to reduce the life.  Having said that, should I anticipate having to clean out the valve every year or so?  All of the piping leading to my iron filter usually gets "iron sludge" in it over time.  I would guess it would be best to have quick disconnects on either side of the valve so make that easier to accomplish.

7

Frequently Asked Questions / Is a CSV right for me?

« on: May 16, 2019, 12:10:54 PM »

I've owned my home for 15 years and my second pressure tank is failing.  I am trying to decide if a CSV is right for me.  According to your site, they seem right for everyone on a well but I have my doubts.  Our pressure tank is the 80 gallon/20 gallon draw variety (with 40/60 pressure switch).  I live with my wife and teenage son.  The well takes a little over 2 minutes to refill the tank once the switch kicks on.  I know the pressure tank is failing because I'm starting to get air in my water lines. 

Your demonstrations over-simplify some things (I think).  For instance, when you use your clothes washer and dish washer, they aren't just on or off.  They cycle and draw water every 5 to 10 minutes for the cycle as needed.  If a HE washer uses 25 gallons to wash your clothes, it would only cycle my well pump once whereas it might use the CSV 5 or 6 times.  Likewise, if you're washing you car, you might use the hose for a minute and then leave if off for a few minutes while you're scrubbing.  Once again, the CSV use would be higher, not lower.

The only real, continuous-use that I can see in my home is showers (we do not water our lawn).  Toilets, sinks and appliances are all likely to cycle the CSV far more often than the 20 gallon draw on a pressure tank. 

I also have an R/O filter which draws a very low amount of water as it refills its own pressure tank.  Would the CSV have to cycle every 5 to 10 minutes as this is happening?

Our well water has a lot of iron and a low pH so we have a chemical dosing pump before the pressure tank to add a soda ash solution to raise the pH as well as add some bleach to kill iron bacteria.  The dosing pump runs when the well pump runs.  My guess is that means that it would run more often and I'd have to lower the amount of solution dosed as it runs.  Do you happen to know if your previous users have had success with this?

Finally, I'm confused as to which of your products I would purchase.  I have a well pump that is submerged 150feet down about 300feet from my home.  I am not sure of the difference between the following: "PK1A"; "PK1A-LT"; "PK125"; "PK1AM" and so on.  Is one of them the "whole deal" whereas the others are just parts of it?  How can I tell what I'll need?

Overall, I'm intrigued by the idea and I'm willing to give it a shot so long as it doesn't burn out my well pump faster.  We don't have a big problem with variable water pressure but a bit more constant would be nice.  I do know that when my draw is maxed out and the well is refilling the pressure tank, I get about 17GPM draw plus what is being used to refill the pressure tank (call it another 4GPM) if that matters at all.

Thanks for reading this!