Trouble with the well point

[IFallsRon]

I've got a well we use to water the lawn. The volume and pressure continues to go down. I'm guessing that the point is clogged. Is there a process for backwashing a point? Are there any state laws that regulate replacing well points?

[RK]

Ron -

You talking a sandpoint well? If so, sometimes you can just stick a .22 down the well head and let fly. Concussion will jar the gunk loose. Doesn't always work, but may be worth a try.

If it's not fo human consumption, they may not care where a sandpoint goes. I do know for cabins and such they need to be at least 50' from any septic systems. County may have their own rules though. For some reason though they don't seem to get as picky about sandponts as they do deep wells with submersible pumps.

[Chris Haley]

You could also get a four foot section of pipe and drive her down a little further. This will lossen all the built up junk and move it out of the way. Be sure to get it tight and tighten it between hits. I've heard of the 22 thing also, but I don't know if that lead comes up when you turn the pump on or not.

[Dave]

Could connect a water pump to the pipe and back flush the sandpoint.

[delcecchi]

You might give it a shot of Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric) available at hardware and paint stores for a few dollars. It will dissolve deposits of mineral on the point. Worked for me, better than deuce deuce, better than banging on pipe with hammer. I put in maybe a quart and let it soak for an hour, then ran the hose on the ground until the water wasn't sour anymore (and a while longer).

Nothing poisonous about Muriatic acid. Aready in your stomach.

[3pronghook]

Is the pump a shallow well jet (single pipe) or deep well jet(double pipe) If its a shallow well pump there are a couple of things you can try. but first, How old is it? How deep is it? What is the depth to water from the surface? What horseppower is the pump?

[IFallsRon]

Single 2-inch pipe, 1/4 to 1/2 hp jet pump. The system is likely at least 25 years old. I'm guessing that the point is 25-30 feet down. The water table is fairly high. There's a drainage ditch about three blocks away that has water (and ducks) year-round. I'd have to do some wrenching to get full details. Four years ago, we moved about five blocks north from a house with a similiar shallow well setup. I had enough volume and pressure there to run two sprinklers for hours at a time.

[3pronghook]

Check to see if the sprinklers are clogged. If they are ok i would recommend two ways to work on the well. In order to work on the well you will have to get inside the pipe past the check valve. One method is to flush it with water. Only possible if there is another water source available. Cut the end off a garden hose or angle cut some 3/4" black poly pipe and wash the screened zone, even bang it off the bottom of the well. The other is to use an air compressor and basically do the same thing. Use some 3/4" black poly pipe if using air, its rigid and wont jump out of the well as easy. Muriatic acid does work but it will create some nasty fumes so make sure the area is ventilated. It may also "eat" a weak spot in the pipe and ruin the well completely. The .22 trick will work but same thing, you can shoot a hole in the pipe. If all else fails move over 5 feet and pound a new one. Good luck