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[DUNBAR PLUMBING]

A longtime customer called us the day prior explaining the loud noise her water pump was making in her basement. There was no consideration for repair of the pump since the age of the pump was over 8 years old.

Just last year (2-09-09) we replaced the bladder tank for this private water system. We tested the water pump when we arrived at this location and sure enough, a loud metal to metal whining noise was apparent as the pump wound out to complete its cycle.

The customer paid for the new pump upon our recommendation, was delivered to the shop in a timely fashion. Only part that was needed "extra" was a 1.5" 3/4" brass nipple. We will not use galvanized fittings on water pump setups.

Some additional work was needed in the replacement of the water pump as the motor bracket was different than the existing. Aside from that, one small adjustment of a 3/4" copper water line was required on the pressure side of the pump head.

Pump that was removed was a 1/3 horsepower pump, the new one that was installed was a 3/4 horsepower motor. A great deal quieter as well, and a 30/50 pressure switch came standard with this new shallow well jet pump.

We have extensive experience at Dunbar Plumbing with private water systems in regards to troubleshooting/repairing systems that are still in use in parts of Northern Kentucky. The attitude of replacement against repair on some of these private water systems are solely to provide the consumer insurance for their buying decision, nothing else.

Of course, certain repairs such as a pressure switch replacement, bladder tank replacement is warranted. But tearing down these pumps and rebuilding the pump itself, or the motor cannot be guaranteed like a new product off the shelf. 20 plus years ago, given the availability of parts, the shops that catered to repairing pumps, and the number of trained professionals with the ability to work on them have all but disappeared. At Dunbar Plumbing we don't have any problems working on these older systems, but we will not work on any private water system that follows the following:

1. Has been hacked together by unlicensed hands other than the homeowner recently, and be expected to fit into a financial cost "not to exceed" money figure. We stop these calls dead in their tracks and will not entertain even a estimate over the phone. It simply is not worth our time.

2. Any customer that ignores the reasoning why we ask when the last time the cistern was cleaned, or if the water level is sufficient. An unclean cistern can create a host of different problems when these water pumps are malfunctioning. A time stamp of entire situation being updated is in the best interest of the property owner.

3. Customer forcing us to use inadequate/inappropriate piping or fittings. We will not use galvanized fittings in a private water system. Especially black iron. We've been asked to use these 2 types of piping, one of which isn't even rated for potable water. PVC piping and fittings are another product we will not use for this application either. The idea of performing these workmanship duties is to do it once, do it right and be able to come back to this system years later and reuse/rework the new components of the system without having to throw away any products in doing so.

There are many bottom lines in plumbing but Dunbar Plumbing will not provide a working system with pipe and materials that are not designed to last indefinitely.

This was common back in the day when city water wasn't as common as it is now, but now it is very random that property owners still have these systems in use.


Pictures and video soon to come...

[Tags:]

Tags: water pump  water pump replacement  moffett road morningview kentucky bladder tank private water system shallow well jet pump