The old plumber finds unexplained high electrical bill...Water related

[azglassblaster]

Out here we don't have basements, wells/water tanks are sitting out in the open or in a small well house. I've had 2 above ground check valves go out, leaving my pump running and constantly turning on and off. So you even have to keep an eye on those. Obviously the pump's check valves are not that reliable. I'm lucky I guess since I turn the hose on next to the pump to fill my horse's water trough daily, so it's easy for me to notice when something isn't right with my pump.

[natedogg23m]

@azglassblaster It all depends on the brand of check valve that you buy. Obviously the ones you buy from your local hardware store or home depot or what-have-you are not going to be as reliable as the ones you'd buy from a plumbing supply contractor. Trust me, I know.

[TheOldkid888]

Where we live,I would estimate that 99.9% of people don't have checks on their line in their homes.I agree with you on the being aware part, but realistically most homeowners don't think about their pumps until there is a problem. Many pump tanks are under basement stairs or tucked away in places that are even hard to access. Even hearing a click of the switch is nearly impossible.Well drillers don't install them as it would reduce profits.This little valve can save you some big money.Tks 4 Co..

[natedogg23m]

@TheOldkid888 You have to be careful with a situation like this because here in Wisconsin it's not up to code to have a check valve in your system above ground. It has to be down the well. The submersible pump already has one built in but most pump installers put an extra one in above the pump just in case. On real deep ones, we put one in every 200'. If you didn't have one in above the pump, then you didn't have a very good pump installer.

[TheOldkid888]

@natedogg23m hello Nate;

Very few installers use checks when installing a submersible pumps in this area. These installers have been doing this for more then 30 years and I have not seen one yet. I only wish they put one above the pump. I like the idea of putting one every 200 feet as well. Great to here about for sure.

Thanks for commenting and have a great day! Al

[anarchybmx]

@natedogg23m Nate is 100% correct. In wisconsin there is a code that says there must be a check valve before the pitless adapter. They have it because if the check valve above gound fails what is in your plumbing can back flow into the ground water.

[TheOldkid888]

@anarchybmx Hello there;

I wish that was the standard in this area. Hopefully it will be in the not to distant future.

Thanks for commenting and enjoy the holidays! Al

[anarchybmx]

@TheOldkid888 you too! and nice videos by the way..

[natedogg23m]

@TheOldkid888 and that's not true about reducing profits. If you're implying that they don't install them so that the system will fail, well some installers do that. But to say that we all do is a false statement. Some of us actually take pride in our work. We do everything we can to make certain that we don't have to come back to fix something and that we leave the customer satisfied.

[TheOldkid888]

@natedogg23m Hello Nate;Well said! It is like any trade;some people say that is good enough and some people go the extra mile.I have a hard time going into a new home that has had a new well and pump install and seeing a gate valve for example leaving the pump tank for a shut-off. Thousands of dollars for an installation and the gate valve is leaking before I begin to run waterlines.And yes;not everyone out there does this. Many jobs are done to a TEE.

Thanks for commenting! Al

[azglassblaster]

Everyone in my area always installs a check valve in the water line above ground, that's an automatic. I didn't know people didn't. The other thing is to be more aware of what your pump is doing, you should hear your pump going on and off way before getting a large electric bill. The other thing is to check the air pressure in your water tank, if the valve spits water when you press it then you've got a broken bladder which can also end up causing you pump problems.