Like many other houses in Florida, I have a shallow well for irrigation. It 's been in use for about 30 years. Problem is water flows out of sprinkler heads for about 2 minutes and stops. Actually, water flow rapidly declines in 5-10 seconds to none. Pump still runs. It is not the normal full-of-water sound. I stop the pump and starts again in 10 ninutes. Pattern repeats. I cleaned out sand filter. Same behavior.

Is this a sign of well not having enough water? If this is the case, will change out of pump from 1 HP to 1/2 HP cure the problem?

Does a good well lose water in 30 years?

Well casing is PVC pipe. Check valve and pump are about 10 years old.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Usually you don't have water level issues in Florida. If you are noticing a lot of sand in the filter after the pump...... my guess is the impeller on the pump may be severely worn.

 

I noticed more sand recently. I used to leave it alone for years. Not any more. I will open the pump and check the impeller. Thank you.

 

I only have experience around Arcadia but water levels in some areas do change. Some areas seem to have an endless supply but I have seen some where shallow irrigation wells dry up when there isn't much rain. Since the pump works initially and it resumes working when you give the well 10 minutes to rest I'd guess the pump is OK.

 

Thank you for the note. I already ordered the overhaul kit. I am hoping the following is what's happening.

Pump is several years old. Impeller is most likely worn somewhat. The pump has minimal sucking power. When the well is replenished, no issue. As well is drawn a few minutes, water level drops and lack of sucking power catches up and water stops flowing.

Whether this is true or not, I will know once the repair kit is installed. If not, I will need further assistance. Thank you.

 

I irrigate my main yard from a pond. It's not sandy but it is brown (not clear). If I irrigate regularly I get about three years from an impeller before priming becomes noticeably slow. When I install the new impeller the old ones never look bad or any difference I can notice but the new one always prime much faster and I get better water pressure.

 

I have a new problem.

I installed the overhaul kit that included seals and impeller. Filled the pump with water and started the pump. Pump was running but I didn't see water coming into sand filter and turned off the pump. Right then, I saw water filling the sand filter. I was too hasty.

I started the pump again. No turning, just the humming nose. I waited an hour. Still humming but no running. I replaced the starting capacitor. Still humming and no turning.

What kind of trouble am I in now?

 

If it hums but isn't turning you need to unplug it and find out why it's not turning. Maybe something isn't assembled properly and it's binding or something got stuck in the impeller.

 

Ok. I will take the pump apart. I hope to find something inside

 

I made a foolish mistake. At the back of the motor, a wire got in the way of a moving (rotating) part and got severed. The irrigation system is working fine now. Thank you for the guidance.

I have a related question, PTFE tape vs paste. I had PTFE tape initially. During reassembly I used PTFE paste. With PTFE tape, 2 or 3 turns were enough. With PTFE paste, full threads got engaged. Is paste better sealant for PVC?

 

No tape or pipe dope is needed for PVC, only metallic fittings like steel and brass. It usually doesn't hurt but it's not needed. Tape's primary job is not to seal the connection. It is there to lubricate so connection so it can be properly tightened.