Help! Leaky plumbing!

[MPS]

thanks blu du, sledinwfo, and spring snow....you have been a lot of help....550k in rep is coming.

 

[Jeff C]

MPS:

Does the sleeve come up vertically through the floor?

It could be hydrostatic water pressure from ground water under the house.

Do you have a sump pump in your basement? If so does it run alot?


How could you test this.............. Hmmm

Could you introduce a dye to the water line down near the well somehow?

Leave the faucets off and then if there is a leak in your line water coming through the sleeve will become colored with dye....


Or can you monitor the well pump for cycling when all water is turned off in the house?

As an extension to this, you could try and plumb a bypass to your expansion tank, so any demand from the house, or a leak in the line will trigger the pump to turn on. If you bypass the tank and it cycles, then you know there is a leak in the line somewhere.

Disclaimer:

I have no knowledge of well systems. Any advice given here is by a complete idiot, so take my advice for what it is......

 

[favoritos]

Have you tried to pressure test the inner pipe? Check that out to make sure you do not just have groundwater coming in from a leaky outer pipe. There must be a reason they have already put a second pipe inside.

 

[MPS]

MPS:

Does the sleeve come up vertically through the floor?

It could be hydrostatic water pressure from ground water under the house.

Do you have a sump pump in your basement? If so does it run alot?


How could you test this.............. Hmmm

Could you introduce a dye to the water line down near the well somehow?

Leave the faucets off and then if there is a leak in your line water coming through the sleeve will become colored with dye....


Or can you monitor the well pump for cycling when all water is turned off in the house?

As an extension to this, you could try and plumb a bypass to your expansion tank, so any demand from the house, or a leak in the line will trigger the pump to turn on. If you bypass the tank and it cycles, then you know there is a leak in the line somewhere.

Disclaimer:

I have no knowledge of well systems. Any advice given here is by a complete idiot, so take my advice for what it is......

LMFAO I love your disclaimer! No it doesnt come up from the ground...the sleeve comes through the side of the house's foundation. Im on my neighbor's well and as soon as he shuts my line off the leak stops.

Thanks bro.

 

[MPS]

Have you tried to pressure test the inner pipe? Check that out to make sure you do not just have groundwater coming in from a leaky outer pipe. There must be a reason they have already put a second pipe inside.

I don't think it is groundwater bro....as soon as I shut off the main the leak stops and the water is really clear...I could probably drink it.

 

[Jeff C]

Well then your screwed..............

You will have to run a new line..........

 

[Blu Du]

more then likely it's leaking outside where it enters this lead pipe. thats why most of the time you go under the footing vs through the wall where the dirt can settle and start to shear the pipe where it enters the wall

 

[sledchick]

Slut....a leaky pipe? You should get that checked out!!!

 

[MPS]

more then likely it's leaking outside where it enters this lead pipe. thats why most of the time you go under the footing vs through the wall where the dirt can settle and start to shear the pipe where it enters the wall

that makes a lot of sense! i guess that is why you are the plumber! I have worked half the day excavating the dirt with shovels! UUUGH! I also had to pull up a decent part of the deck to get to it. The pipes are exposed now....it is definitely leaking around the sleeve. I have a four foot deep hole and 4 X 4 foot square hole. I will take pics in the morning....my dog was chitting his pants when he had to walk across planks to come inside! hahaha

I have a plumber coming in the morning....it will be nice to have water again!

 

[MPS]

Slut....a leaky pipe? You should get that checked out!!!

yes dear! only certain people can make it leak!

 

[BigAl]

If it steel pipe coming into the house, you might dig outside the patio to expose the pipe. Cut the pipe and hook a chain to the piece nearest the house. Hook new poly to the old pipe in the house and pull it out with the backhoe.

 

[JROD]

When you get your leak fixed and go to backfill, if at all possible, compact the ground under the sleeve and your existing water line and then use a bit of con-rock or some other screened aggragate as bedding so as to eliminate settling in the future.

You shouldn't have to pull a new line or dig anything up other than the leak. Don't feel like a coupler is a cheap fix. They are used all the time when lines are dug through or hit by excavators and have very high success rates. Plus if snaking the line didn't work and breaks, then you have to dig up your yard. Very simple to avoid.

 

[sledchick]

go take a shower, your stinking up this thread already!!!!! haha

 

[MPS]

go take a shower, your stinking up this thread already!!!!! haha

I dont need to shower....I like to stay dirty!


Thanks Big Al and JRod! I will definitely do as you suggested JRod. I can't get to the pipe like that Big Al...or I would tear up my deck in the process too. I do have the pipe exposed now....had to tear up a portion of my deck to get to it.

 

[MPS]

done....well at least the new pipe....at least I have water again! now time to backfill.