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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / DYI Well?
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elkdiebymybow
Member
# Posted: 23 Jan 2011 01:53
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A few years ago I used a pressure washer with a turbo bit tied into galvanized steel pipe to bore my way down about 30' for a shallow well. My water table in the dry season is about at 5' and our soils are predominately sand/gravel mix with a couple of clay layers in between. I never got a good pump installed, kind of scrapped the idea but I'd like to regroup on drilling my own well.

My new plan is to dig as deep as I can with my excavator (+/- 20') and then hydro-bore to a depth of about 50' with my pressure washer set-up. Research from surrounding properties show wells in the area down to this level produce good drinking water but much deeper get into lots of iron. I'll insert a 4" PVC pipe for a casing and inside that place my pump and main intake pipe with a foot valve and a screen. I'm hoping to use a dc pump to run off my solar power set up.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

fasenuff
Member
# Posted: 24 Jan 2011 06:31
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You could try driving a 1 1/2" pipe with a drive point. I've seen this done with good results in soil like you mention. Also I assume you will be using a pressure tank and a backflow prevention valve. Where is your septic system in relationship to where the well will be placed? Septic systems have been known to contaminate wells that are either too close or down hill.

Jerry
Member
# Posted: 24 Jan 2011 11:16
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Elk,

Could you give a few details on the parts and use of the pressure washer/turbo set up you used? Sounds like something I'd be interested in trying.

Thanks - Jerry

elkdiebymybow
Member
# Posted: 28 Jan 2011 20:49
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Jerry,

I bought additional hoses for my pressure washer line that is typically attached to the "wand" to provide a good length of hose. I added a "terbo" tip to the end of the pressure washing hose and I then attached this to a galvanized steel pipe with duct tape. The galvanized pipe provided a solid leverage point to work into the ground as the pressure washer 'terbo-tip' created a hole.

It worked pretty good in hydro-drilling a hole. I was kind of experementing with the technique and this summer I think I'll get a well installed. I have some new ideas though after my R&D from a few years ago. This time, I think I would attach the 'terbo-tip' to a length of PVC pipe, say, 1 1/2 " diameter. I'd use the PVC pipe as conduit from the pressure washer to the 'terbo-tip' and set this to desired depth. I think that if i slowly increase diameter of pipe after an initial bore, then I ultimately can sink say a 4" pipe to my desired depth, remove it and take off the pressure washer tip and add a well point screen, then replace into the hole. I'd use the 4" pipe as a casing and insert a 1 1/2" pipe inside this to draw water via a pump. I think this might work.

Anonymous
# Posted: 29 Jan 2011 23:47
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Elk,

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll experiment this summer with your ideas. The soil I'm working in is mainly sand so maybe it'll work ok.

BTW, very interesting story about the cougar - another post you did. We don't have many of those critters here in Minnesota, but we do have a few. Between them, the timber wolves and bears, it'll make you pay attention in the woods.

Jerry

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