Anyone know about wells or well pumps?

[MrAwder]

Bought a house that at some point was using a well. It is now on municipal water. The well pump is still in the basement and taking up a nice chunk of space where I would like to stick a tent. I want to get rid of it but it is 5 feet from my current grow so do not want to call in a plumber. I snapped 2 pics





Second picture shows 3 pipes leaving/entering the wall. One pipe also runs up the wall and exits above the foundation.

I was told this is a jet pump which "jets" water into the well to create the pumping action.

All I want to know is if I can put caps on all these pipes and get rid of the thing without flooding my house. My fear is that is much more involved than that... it seems like it always is.

thanks

 

[Iron_Lion]

..

 

[MrAwder]

It is unplugged. Tried to plug it in once when I first moved in and blew a fuse.

Since then electric had been upgraded but I haven't tried again. Just want it gone.

 

[Iron_Lion]

........

 

[Full Of Peace]

release the pressure on the tank and you should be good. might want to call a plumber and see what they can tell you over the phone.

 

[Ichabod Crane]

You should only need to cap the pipe leading to your current household water supply. I would think that this has been disconnected previously to prevent contamination of the cities water supply. The only other way that this will flood is if you have a free flowing spring. I doubt you do.

Looking down that big silver tank looks like it is a pressure tank. Near the bottom should be a drain valve. If there is water in the tank it will drain here.

The two pipes that look like they go threw the wall most likely go to you well. If that is the case then the other three supply your house. One most likely went to a water heater, one supplied the cold water to your house and the third that goes threw the wall is probably a old out side faucet.

All guesses on my part. Look around a little more and you may now be able to see the setup a little better I hope.

 

[MrAwder]

Thanks everyone. Think I will tackle this tonight.

Ich: You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Ichabod Crane again. What else is new.

 

[BrnCow]

Might want to get this repaired and use for the outside faucet for garden or yard watering...might not need such a big setup for just one faucet...

 

[MrAwder]

Might want to get this repaired and use for the outside faucet for garden or yard watering...might not need such a big setup for just one faucet...

Thought about it but getting someone in this space right now is not an option nor will it be for some time. Security first. I think I will be setting up a rain barrel for outdoor watering.

 

[exploziv]

That's a deep well water pump. it only works when primed. (all the pipes lenghts and pump pressure chamber filled with water.)
Now if you try to start it without it being primed, it may blow a fuse. maybe that happened in your case.
First thing you need to do is to find the priming vent (a big screw on the top part of the pump and open it), then search for any draining holes on the lower part.
Then you need to verify the pipes leading to the house, and make they are not connected to any working water circuit. Just to be safe you could close the city water till you finish disconecting your pump, then slowly open it and see it any water comes down to the basement through any of the pipes you worked on. I guess that should not happen. Be prepared for some water spills tho, they may happen if the old circuits weren't vented. Just remember, water could spill in your basement only from the parts of the circuit that are above ground level (including the pump, if it's still primed), no concerns about the ground pipes.

good luck!