Replacing Well Pump on PVC Pipe for City Water Supply. How Stick Pipe Must Be Handled, Not a DIY Job

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In this video We were hire to do a Pump Only Replacement. 1 of 8 Wells that are used to fill a Water Tower for this towns municipal Water supply. This is a 2Hp 20 GPM 3 Wire Pump, Set on 1.25" SCH80 PVC at 280ft Deep. Never Attempt to Removal any Submersible pump if it is suspended on PVC or Galvanized Pipe! It must be Done Using a Crane & by licensed service providers!
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#construction #wellpump #nowater #submersiblewaterpump #pressuretank #pressureswitch #plumber #tradesman #homesteadadvice #wellpump #plumbing #heavyequipment #diy #repair #hardwork

[@lnk4328]

FYI, If you open your pipe wrench's jaws a little more, it will allow the pipe to hit the back of the jaws also. This three points of contact lessens the chance of egging the pipe.

[@rwhitenz]

Great to see training in progress passing on skills

[@hartsfire5706]

awesome video, just a quick bit of country math if the pump was in there the full 5 years as 18 hours a day and 20 GPM that would be just short of 40 million gallons.

[@janusstokes2382]

You Rock!

[@daviddriscol8018]

Great videos!!!

[@revd6239]

Great video!!!

[@LeePatCab]

Your a good man.

[@bigal9078]

Very professional, good job

[@pastorcarl5703]

Another informative outstanding video. God Bless!

[@billballerballerbill9884]

Really impressive knowledge - thanks for sharing

[@jeff95050]

I pick up a good thing or two from nearly every video you make and not just from the well tech stuff either. I share your migraines and also have mine triggered hours before a big low pressure storm roll in too. I know how they make you feel and I sooooo respect you for sticking it out on the job. That shows devoted commitment and integrity in a situation where others may find an excuse. Again, you gained my respect.

[@h2omechanic]

Thanks. Yea the migraine was so bad I almost got sick, had my worker drive me home and put a towel over my face to block out all the sunlight. It was properly the worst I've experienced. Part was due to the weather, the other part was probably due to the liquid chlorine container I was working next to & using as a work bench in the Video. Definitely debilitating!

[@suzylarry1]

that would be a nice contract to secure , looking after the "water pumps " as you mentioned this was a first time doing this job and the management has changed , no one talked , been there done that. It was very interesting to watch !

[@cabbagesoup7879]

I do hvac for a living and I don’t no why but this looks way more fun!!

[@ScottPrincePhoto1]

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are very helpful...

[@transmitterguy478]

Great job fellas, People don't know what's involved in obtaining common old water. It's a lot of work.

[@ronaldwprovo5530]

Thank you from Cheboygan Mi

[@mikeclarke3005]

installed many times at farm same 1-1/4 stick (I used stainless fittings) but I assembled all on the ground, since empty was light enough for a few us folks to handle and bend over into well easy enough but was new pipe, this got me thinking may not want to try if reusing pipe going to reassemble as you did if ever have to pull again if reusing pipe. Thanks for the video.

[@adventurethemoment8520]

Thanks for the content. I have learn alot good luck on your journey. Wish there were more folks like you.

[@danobrien155]

Very nice 👌

[@CandiceWA]

I enjoy everyone of your stories. Interesting the pressure change give you a headache. Well done!

[@alexfriedeck1978]

Pressure change will give me a migraine headache too. Cigarette smoke will also but not vape smoke.

[@claytoncoolidge992]

I feel the migraine thing. Mine get bad enough that I have had siezures for them fine job man

[@wdxwm300]

I have a bunch of that pipe with couplers I wondered what and how it was used. Thanks for the video

[@frankreccio3023]

That’s an easy sub to pull

[@billarenz2719]

I was wondering how you obtained all you knowledge about wells and water systems.? Keep up the great work.!

[@danvisan7017]

I also work with my father and it's a blessing

[@ernestdarnell7473]

i hope your dad is very proud of the man that he raised good job

[@stevebarr9604]

We've got one 725 feet deep on stick pipe like that! We've always had problems with it and just got the pump replacement a year ago and having problems again!

[@Sylvan_dB]

You've got a good team. I was a bit surprised you put the new pump down on the PVC.

[@PRC533]

I doubt the city/county wanted to pay to replace everything.

[@JJ-gd7gf]

Nice video. I hope you were properly compensated for the difference in poly vs. stick pipe as you were told.

[@garygarner9007]

How come the well has a lot of fine grit I have to change the water filters pretty often and it says been a ongoing problem for a long time

[@northwoodsguy1538]

Bummer about the headache, been there done that. Nice job.😎👍

[@alexfriedeck1978]

If you start to feel nauseated with a headache sometimes the best thing to do is allow the body to rid itself of the stomach contents. It has been my experience that if I vomit a few times then drink a Red Bull for the glucose raise and the caffeine to shrink blood vessels with 600 milligrams of Naproxen followed by a bottle of water I will feel so much better in less than an hour.

[@SOU6900]

​@alexfriedeck1978 someone told me to eat a king size PayDay bar and drink a Mt. Dew with it. Haven't been lucky enough to try said suggestion since I have neither on hand when my migraines kick in. Someone else told me to drink saline water because something in my head was getting dehydrated. Never tried that one either. But regardless I'm like you and just have to let my stomach do its thing.

[@JoseOrtiz-zb7gq]

Awesome

[@user-fo4yx8jc2s]

This is a question. Can you have two pump houses on a shared well as the property are very far apart and they turn down pressures at will? I have the well they have the pump house

[@michellejackson5011]

Need to fix my well

[@Dildo_Baggins.]

man, u gotta love jobs like that. nice building, concrete floors, room enough to work, no dead animals, thats downright luxurious!

[@h2omechanic]

The smell of liquid chlorine inside lol. Don't forget that part

[@codyharris3741]

I’ve always pulled our well pump and it has 1 inch pvc set at 160 or 180 ft but we don’t have a building surrounding it and it took 4 people to get it out. 2 at the well head pulling pump while the other 2 are keeping it from bunching up keeping it from snapping

[@Pumptechs]

I like your lifting bale, where can I find one? Or was that custom made?

[@markrichardson29]

What sort pumps jacuzzi with Franklin motor?

[@saturnalley]

Hi, around 12:09 you do a "Boombox Check" on the static level--is that a sonar distance measuring device? Is it only useable if the pipe and pump are pulled, and out of the way? Thanks

[@MikeHarris1984]

Why would they use hard line instead of a pex style pipe? I figured this would be a good time to swap over for future repairs making them cheaper likely to keep from having to get a crane out with every single service... Does the hard line hold more preasure? or was it just installed that way decades ago before reliable pex was a thing? i.e. the pex from the 70's and 80's that is now bursting in the walls all over the country and the massive recalls. Very nice job tho! Very professional. I'm on city water myself out in the desert of Phoenix. well, kinda city water, its a third party company that the city of Peoria uses (Epcor) and the water is maily supplied by massive wells in each district. So my water is super hard and full of calcium/iron/and other minerals.

[@julianchambers8372]

Hi the weight of the pipe all on the T piece joint.?

[@frankish5314]

is the well pipe schedule 80? I've never seen sch 80 that was was not grey coloured.. But its threaded so can't be sch 40 right?

[@MrRickoscar]

Nice. How many gallons a hour did that pump.?

[@michaelholland8969]

Really good video! Who makes your trailer mounted crane? Is it small engine powered? If you would do a video on it, would be appreciated!

[@thomaspiscitello7330]

It's a smeal. Now called Hunke. It is made to be truck mounted. But in this case, he has it on a trailer.

[@FROG2000]

I would have thought you could use the easyout on PVC once you get over the cap

[@georgekolos5255]

Excellent work in all videos. Just wanted to suggest something that kills me everytime I see. No need as serves no purpose to put that slic tite pipe dope on inside female threads. All of it gets inside of pipe only. Same principle with flux and sweating copper. If you want to make extra sure a joint won't leak.. 1st teflon tape it before you put pipe dope on. I'm in HVACR trade for about 30 yrs now Also I've seen some well people not use anything on the threads with screwing together PVC pipe lengths. Can that be correct?? Thank you and keep up the good work. Stop putting pipe dope inside of pipes! ;)

[@Drewdayz2419]

Would it have been better to ask or recommend it going to roll pipe, one since it will wear out faster cause of run time it would be easier for it to be on roll pipe

[@6by6by6]

You need your cable crane setup with a remote so you can control it while you’re at the well head, much more efficient.

[@realkacy]

Sumatriptan for migraines. Makes you tired though takes care of the migraines. Best taken in the evenings. Too much pain killers can screw up your stomach.

[@danielsimpson4137]

I used to make those pipes they look like the short thread we made we hade like 4 different pipe threads ,Johnson screens

[@merlesomero7807]

Where do you get that pipe clamp for your crane

[@Pippy626]

Did they do a water flow check to see if they could have went bigger pump? I know fracking is out no room for rig with building

[@robstidham8754]

The well drilling company I used to work for back in the early nineties used threaded pvc straight pipe so other people couldn’t pull the pump unless they had a pump pulling truck !

[@richzitting1978]

Thanks! These are very helpful. I have a couple questions. What is the grade of PVC pipe needed for stick type? How tight do you torque the joints? Is the pipe dope PTFE or just regular? Wll you do a video to educate me about down-hole water level sensors or floats?

[@rtkmanUtube]

I believe my installer used Sch 80 or Sch 120 pvc threaded drop well pipe.

[@owendodman3037]

Seems like a pair of waders would do you good for keeping your socks dry doing this. Cheers 🍻

[@dennispratt559]

Not related to this video, but are well stinks of sulfur. If we would drill deeper, would it fix that issue?

[@h2omechanic]

No. If its mainly hot water that smells like sulfur, that's the anode rod in the water heater. If its cold water, you'll need a galvanized tank with a air vent to bleed off the sulfur (not a diy thing)

[@73Shakes]

That must be a popular flannel shirt you are wearing. I know 3 other people who have the same one including me lol. Yeah, I know that was completely random and has nothing to do with the video lol

[@joelx77]

I am about to install a 20' stick PVC pipe well soon, so this is good to watch. What tools do you use for this?

[@greenspiraldragon]

Switch it with Poly much more flexible otherwise if you ever have to change it you will have to pull it all straight up with a crane. With poly you can pull it by hand and lay it over as you go.

[@Nctbgs]

@@greenspiraldragonpoly can’t go over a certain depth . Wells in my area are 500-800 ft deep

[@stanwooddave9758]

May I make a suggestion, I would make from Pressure Treated 6" in. X 6" in. X 4 to 6 foot long, VEE shaped what I'll call Pipe Stacking Stands. The purpose would be so that the pipe pulled from a well, never touches the ground. See @ 10:15 of this video. If you should decide to make these, I would leave at each end approx. 6 (six) inches uncut. The reason is so you could stack the stands on each other. Assuming that all the pipe you use, work with, comes in 20 or 21 foot lengths, I would only make 3 (three) of these. I would cut the VEE to a depth of say 2.625" in. with 2-7/8" inches of material remaining. I would cover the surface that the pipe(s) would touch, lay down on, with old fire hose or something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Thanks for sharing this video. Stand capacity @ 1.5" in. Pipe Dia. = 61 Total two rows high. Stand capacity @ 1.25" in. Pipe Dia. = 73 Total two rows high. Stanwooddave, how are you so sure about the capacity(s)? Easy answer, I drew them up in my CAD (Computer Aided Design) program. My default tolerance is 1/32 (plus or minus) of an inch. I think that gets me close enough. The stand length was 60" inch's, (a.k.a. 5' foot) with 6" in. flat (uncut) ends both sides. I drew a 5.5" inch board (i.e., a 6 x 6.) A 4' Ft. Stand will allow for stacking of Qty=57. A 3' Ft. Stand will allow for stacking of Qty=37. Both holding pipe of 1.25" in. Diameter. Total two rows high.

[@drob5664]

I just use folding saw horses.

[@marcheynderickx7985]

I made a dozen of these, 12" long, when I pulled my pump. Definitely helped keep the pipe off the grass/out of the dirt.

[@MabuzaEugene]

What is max head for this 2hp pump, psi rating

[@Cragified]

Ah the tedious slow day of tripping those PVC sticks.

[@georgedawn6993]

How close to the bottom of the well should the pump be

[@eddiereichel9354]

Did you find the cause of the failure?

[@spelunkerd]

I'm getting confused about when it's OK to mix copper and stainless. At 12:24, is that stub copper? Can you give us a clear list of things to never do if you want to avoid galvanic reactions?

[@h2omechanic]

The SS fitting was not used. Pvc pipe was threaded directly into the check valve. But I understand what you mean about dissimilar metals.

[@bentheguru4986]

@@h2omechanic The pump is stainless, he has a point, whole lot should have been same metal.

[@ruben_balea]

I think that was a red brass nipple, there's no problem mixing stainless steel with copper, bronze or brass for use with potable water. Never screw galvanized steel or malleable iron directly to a pump, valve or fitting made of stainless, bronze, or brass because the steel will corrode, it may last a decade or two but eventually it will break and if it was holding a submersible pump the pump will end up at the bottom of the well...

[@shaggy198889]

Another great video. Quick question, after you knew it was pvc did you suggest to the manager to change it over to poly pipe? If so what was the reason they didn't want to?

[@safffff1000]

I like to know, I have 300ft well with pvc.

[@h2omechanic]

Yes I recommended swapping it over the black roll pipe since it's life span is short . If it was on poly, I would be in & out in 90 minutes. Because it's on pvc, it took around 6 hours. Any pump past 400ft needs pvc drop pipe or a Well with a 200+ ft static level needs Pvc or metal drop pipe. This Well was a great candidate for poly. I proposed the cost, they never responded...so they declined. Commercial jobs stink bc they want a total cost before any work is done...its hard to know what you'll find to give a spot on estimate. So I did exactly what they wanted.

[@shaggy198889]

​@@h2omechanic thank you for the reply. I figured it was something like that. I did Commercial telecommunications and they do not like changes. The quote up front is what they want. Especially state agencies. Again thank you for all the information, you have helped me on my own well.

[@Blox_fruit_master1]

@@h2omechanic you remind me of my family 4 generations of plumbers,my father told me when I started to learn plumbing with him WAS if you can’t do it right leave it alone let some one one

[@htroberts]

@@h2omechanic that’s short-sighted if they’re going to have to pay to pull and replace that pump every five years.

[@78MANOFSTEEL]

Where can I order the foot clamp you have to hold that pipe up…also the top clamp…I like them. Do you have link to buy these products

[@thomaspiscitello7330]

Any pump supplier should have the foot clamp.

[@stanleyroberts2461]

Scedule 80 pipe

[@Pippy626]

They need to invest in a stainless steel braided line and winch on the ceiling for maintenance. That’s what we have on our 75ft 1in stick pipe

[@thomaspiscitello7330]

Looks like you were using the tailout line on the smeal. Do you have issues with the main line? Always roll your drop cable on an empty spool to keeps wires off the ground. Always stack pipe on blocking to keep it off the ground. Animals and bugs poop on the ground. Always wear a hard hat when working with overhead equipment. Apply pipe paste to outside of threads. Add some chlorine to the well before you start installing the pump. When you need two guys on wrenches to loosen/tighten pipe, have each guy place one hand on each wrench. That way you are working WITH each other, and not fighting each other. (you can thank me later for that one) 😊

[@Steevo69]

Thread paste will squeeze out as the male threads turn in when applied to the male threads. I have worked on high and low pressure systems for 30 plus years. A little dab on the inside of threads does a better job than a gob on the outside.

[@ronniesalley6955]

Would you help me out on setting my used IMT 7500 crane i just bought up on a trailer like that? How do you have the hydraulics set up? Can you send me pictures of your pump set up? Thanks

[@h2omechanic]

We took ours to a hydrolic shop. But I can try & send you Pics. [e-mail] Shoot me a email

[@josephsaucedo8691]

Every install in California is basically the same way this pump instead and pulled IV done this every day for the last 21 years just like this most city jobs are in building unfortunately but they also usually pay prevailing wage👍 we use 2in Christy pipe Warp tape strong stuff. LoL the first 3week I worked at my job the operator at the time installed the check valve up side down. it made me perty mad I actually had to tell him what he did wrong and had to pull it all out 300ft just to flip it. It's the first thing to double check before sending it down hole that and motor and pump info. I also no what you mean that up and down can definitely get to you specially if dehydrated. Just a average work day of a pump man 💯🛠️🍻👍✌️💧💦

[@PaulChabot]

I've put a check valve on backwards.... Once. Luckily it was only 200ft down. Never again. I'll just sharpie an arrow on the valve prior to install. Double and triple check.

[@cwc3413]

Why did they not replace the PVC with a larger diameter black Poly that I presume would make it easier to do this the next time?

[@unclebill5170]

I was thinking the same thing

[@h2omechanic]

That's what I wanted to do...wasn't given the green light to do it.

[@unclebill5170]

Too bad it would’ve made it a lot easier in three years when you have to replace it again

[@drob5664]

I retired today, and have a 97 5-T Smeal rig on a 97 F-350 Super Duty with 7.3 Power Stroke, with 2 pipe racks and 8' utility body with flip top's. this would cut your time in half on this job.

[@thomaspiscitello7330]

Didn't help that he was using the tailout line instead of the main line.

[@msmaeski]

How much?

[@drob5664]

@@msmaeski I sold it 8 weeks ago, it was 30K

[@haddscott5950]

I agree.. running very slow. He should be pulling a joint every 2 minutes easily.

[@Truckguy1970]

Is this a 3 phase pump? The water system in the town I worked for had a 3 phase 480 volt pump similar to this

[@h2omechanic]

Not this one. PH1 - 240v. 3-Wire.

[@Truckguy1970]

@@h2omechanic Have you ever worked on 3 phase pumps before?

[@Truckguy1970]

@@h2omechanic Yeah on a 3 phase pump, it'll run backwards if 2 of the phases are wired wrong, if there's no water pressure when first powering it up, just change any 2 phases

[@Stepdaddy8969]

👍🏽

[@zimbabwesteve4620]

Why not use an industrial style pump that mounts atop the well head? Especially if this is for a cities water supply

[@mnblkjh6757]

👍🙂

[@watomb]

Surprised the city has a simple single phase pump. I thinking city well pumps would be 3 phase running 440-460V.

[@beachboardfan9544]

WTF threaded PVC is a thing?

[@JEM133]

Has been for many years. SCH 120 pvc.

[@ThumperKJFK]

✌👍

[@toyotaWalsh]

Wouldn't it be better time wise to replace the white pipe with the black plastic hose ???

[@dominicchavez6995]

Off subject of your video, but What are your thoughts of the constant pressure system . I need a well drilled at 200ft. The pump installer is trying to talk me into the constant pressure controller system . I just want a simple pressure tank , pressure switch system . I would prefer a 3 wire pump, not the 4 wire with control box. Just a basic simple system. Less headaches in the future

[@lnk4328]

Have you considered a Cycle Stop Valve?

[@aaronrobinson925]

Constant pressure systems are awesome. I have personally installed dozens. The customer is always extremely happy

[@turbowarp]

Just wondering, since a municipal water supply, are there special well sanitizing procedures, water fluoride/chlorination treatments and other testing requirements? I know anytime the neighboring town has a water main break or low pressure, they issue a boil water advisory...

[@h2omechanic]

The tank beside the well is liquid chlorine injection. That's what they use here

[@karuza82]

I'm surprised to see chlorine tank next to the wellhead. Injectors are still in pump room, but storage and mixing tanks are in a complete separate room. They don't even share floor drain system. Air gap, vacuum breaks, and backflow presenters abound.

[@raymondbrown867]

So how long do they last in a residential house??

[@OLDMANGAMING1970]

Should get 14 to 20 years service.

[@pepperroni4016]

You forgot chlorine in this video ?

[@aaronrobinson925]

How long did this take you? I don’t know how deep the pump was set but it looked to be between 200 and 300 feet. I’m a pump rig operator does here in southern Utah. Me and 1 other guy could easily pull and install in less than 4 hours

[@h2omechanic]

Yea, it took us 5 hours in total.

[@marty0715yt]

If you work for Gov, watch their directives. Stay safe.

[@chrislembke3823]

I thought southern boys were supposed to be tough and you can't hand over hand that PVC we up here 150 to 300 deep and hand over hand those regularly they only 20ft sticks

[@trevorstevenson4772]

I would charge around 3500-5200 dollars as a plg contractor.

[@jimsmart999]

You might wanna watch a video of how to use pipe dope

[@georgekolos5255]

Don't put inside!

[@marcusdevries3453]

“How stick pipe must be handled” it’s called joints or column pipe.

[@david-lawnguyinfresno6321]

How much black tape do you go through in a year? Lol

[@matthewmiller6068]

Never ever say "I won't do X dumb thing", that's like a guarantee you will do it one day!

[@douglaskesler370]

And throw that “pump dog” away and get a “Quick Clamp” much easier and safer! I have seen many pumps drop with the pump dog.

[@Drewdayz2419]

I would not ever want a pvc well pipe, to much work

[@johnperkins630]

OK the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. My thoughts on going back with what I assume is pvc pipe segments that are threaded is why? I would assume the cost of the labor would exceed the cost of just going to black pipe. One single pipe instead of all the couplers would seem to me that there would be far less points of failure which would be beneficial for the town and for your business. I have worked with pvc enough to realize it gets very brittle with age. Black pipe seems like it is the safer approach. Please enlighten me because I am truly very curious. Honestly I am a bit jealous as I would love to do this type of work full time but there are no companies in my area. Maybe that's why you get so many requests from Texas... lol No companies here that specialize in wells.

[@h2omechanic]

You & me think alike. I priced out the cost of going back on poly. I never got the green light to do so.

[@Mk101T]

City supply ? A 10" draw pipe line shaft turbine . . . in 10ft sections for 5-600 feet is tiresome. But it all is about the same experience per joint . o 0 O (o) ~ @

[@Mk101T]

The biggest thing I learned in the well drilling business . The weight of the tools from 4" to 8" And actually I had come from 6" tools when first trying to move an 8" elevator 3 ft across a truck bed. Been responsible for many back break incidents . And no there isn't just one .

[@WorldofTanksLaPoop]

95% of headaches are from a person not drinking enough water.

[@h2omechanic]

That was probably part of it, but there was a liquid chlorine bucket beside me, I think it was a combination of alot of things

[@Sotzrem2007]

Thats part of it. Sometimes has to do with smell, or light, or sound. I find running machinery the dule sound my main trigger for migraines for me.

[@SOU6900]

I get them really bad. I I think I have multiple triggers for mine. I can drink a butt load of water and still end up getting one.

[@garyalabama]

I like PVC but only going 80’. It is supper easy to glue the pipe and put it in the well. These threaded fittings are strange to me. I put in new pipe every time I have to change the pump