Maya Ellison
Driving a plastic well point is a tedious task that requires at least one extra set of hands, ideally someone who is strong and mechanically inclined. It is important to first check with the authorities to ensure that there are no laws prohibiting wells in your area and that the groundwater is not contaminated by toxic chemicals. The most challenging part of the job is getting the pipe lengths into the ground. A well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder weighing at least 100 lbs can be used, with the help of a strong friend, to drive the well point into the ground.
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What You'll Learn
- Dig a pilot hole with a hand auger, shovel, or post hole digger
- Use a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder to drive the pipe
- Check for water with a string and nut or a fish sinker
- Seal threaded connections with joint compound or Teflon plumber's tape
- Check local laws and groundwater quality before starting
Dig a pilot hole with a hand auger, shovel, or post hole digger
Digging a pilot hole is the first step in driving a plastic well point. This can be done using a hand auger, shovel, or post hole digger. The hole should be at least two feet deep, and the diameter of the hole will depend on the method and tools used. Using a hand auger will result in a pipe-sized hole, while using a shovel will create a wider hole. If using a shovel, it is important to tamp the soil around the well point to help hold it straight when pounding.
When digging the pilot hole, it is important to consider the type of soil and the water table depth. Sand and gravel areas are typically successful for driving points, while clay soil can be more challenging. The water table depth will determine how far down the well point needs to be driven, and it is important to test for water before beginning the project. This can be done by tying a weight to a string and slowly lowering it down the pipe to feel for resistance or wetness, indicating the presence of water.
In addition to the hand auger, shovel, or post hole digger, other tools that may be needed for this project include a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder, pipe wrenches, plumbers putty or pipe dope, and various pipe fittings such as couplings, elbows, and valves. It is also recommended to have at least one extra set of hands to help with the project, as it can be physically demanding.
Once the pilot hole is dug, the next step is to drive the well point into the ground. This can be done using a well hammer, such as a sledgehammer or large wooden mallet, or a more specialized tool like a pile-driver weight or slam hammer. As the well point is driven down, it is important to protect the pipe threads with a cap until only about ten inches remain above the ground. At this point, the cap can be removed, and a coupler can be screwed on to allow for the attachment of additional pipe lengths.
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Use a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder to drive the pipe
Using a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder is an effective way to drive the pipe for a well point. This method requires some initial hard work, as you will need to connect several lengths of pipe, typically 1 1/2" in diameter, by screwing them together. You will then need to pound each length of pipe vertically into the ground, one length after the other, until you reach the water table. This can be a challenging task, and it may be helpful to have some strong friends assist you.
The well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder that you and your friends will be using should weigh at least 100 lbs. It is important to carefully follow the instructions associated with the tool to avoid injury. Before driving the pipe sections into the ground, you should use Teflon tape or plumber's putty between the pipe sections to ensure a secure connection.
When driving the pipe, you will need to repeat the process for each length of pipe until you reach the desired depth. The number of pipe sections you will need depends on how deep your water table is. For example, if your water table is 25 feet deep, you may need around five 5-foot sections of pipe. However, if your water table is deeper, you may require twenty or more sections of pipe.
Once you have driven the pipe to the desired depth, you can test for water by dropping a string with a weight attached down the pipe. If you notice wetness on the string, it indicates that you have successfully reached the water table. At this point, you may want to drive the last section of pipe a few more feet into the ground with your well driver to place the well point in even deeper groundwater.
It is important to note that the type of soil can impact the effectiveness of your well. Sand acts as a reservoir, allowing water to flow through quickly and continuously. On the other hand, clay soil can result in slower infiltration rates, affecting the reservoir capacity of the pipe. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a certified plumber or seek additional feedback to ensure the success of your well installation.
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Check for water with a string and nut or a fish sinker
When driving a plastic well point, it is important to determine if your well is in water so you know how far down to drill the new well point. To find out if your well point is in water, you can use a string and nut or a fish sinker. Take a 30' to 50' piece of strong string and tie a nut or a fish sinker that weighs a few ounces to one end. Place the sinker into the pipe where the old well point pipes enter the ground.
Slowly lower the string with the sinker attached down the pipes. Try to feel for some sort of resistance. If none is felt, bring it up gradually. If you notice wetness on your string, then you will know that your point and screen are within the water table. You may not need any additional sections of pipe, but you may want to drive the last section of pipe a few more feet into the ground with your well driver. This will place the well point and attached screen in even more fresh groundwater.
You can also use a string and weight or a fishing rod to see how much water is in your well. If there is no water in your well, it may be because your water pump has lost its prime. One of the major reasons you may have lost water is a damaged screen at the bottom of your well. By unscrewing the cold water supply hose behind your washing machine, you can assess the health of the well point. If the hose is full of sand or fine dirt particles, it's a sign that your well point is starting to go and will eventually lose its prime.
It is important to note that the type of soil you are drilling into can affect the amount of water you can recover from your well. Sand acts as a reservoir, allowing water to flow through it quickly and continuously. Clay, on the other hand, has slower infiltration rates, which can make it difficult to pump water at a moderate volume.
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Seal threaded connections with joint compound or Teflon plumber's tape
When driving a plastic well point, it is important to seal the threaded connections with joint compound or Teflon plumber's tape. This will create a watertight seal, preventing leaks and ensuring the well functions properly.
To do this effectively, follow these steps:
- Once the well point has been driven down, leaving about ten inches above the ground, remove the protective pipe cap.
- Screw a four-inch coupler (a collar with internal threads) over the exposed threads.
- Apply a pipe joint compound or Teflon plumber's tape to ensure a watertight seal. Wind the tape in the direction of the threads, in a clockwise direction.
- Attach the next pipe section: screw a threaded pipe, approximately six feet long, into the coupler. The actual length may vary, but ensure it is short enough to reach the upper end.
- Cap the upper end of the pipe and pound it down, leaving about ten inches above the ground, similar to the previous step.
- Remove the cap, and apply joint compound or Teflon tape to the threads.
- Screw on another coupler, then attach another length of pipe into the top of the coupler.
- Pound this pipe down and repeat the process, sealing every threaded connection with either joint compound or Teflon tape.
By following these steps, you can effectively seal the threaded connections of your plastic well point, ensuring a watertight seal that prevents leaks and maintains the functionality of your well. Remember to check local laws and groundwater quality before starting this project, and ensure you have the necessary tools and assistance from a strong, mechanically-inclined friend.
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Check local laws and groundwater quality before starting
Before you start driving a well point, it is important to check local laws and groundwater quality. Driving a well point, or a sand point, involves constructing a well by pounding a steel casing with a pointed well screen attached into the ground until an aquifer is reached. The process can vary depending on the type of soil and the groundwater level in your area.
Firstly, it is important to check with local authorities to ensure that there are no laws prohibiting the construction of wells in your area. Even if wells are permitted, you may need to purchase a building permit and have your well inspected and approved. In some cases, lending institutions may require groundwater testing for contaminants such as coliform bacteria and nitrate before approving a loan for a property with a well. Local ordinances, such as in Dakota County, may also require wells to be tested at the time of property transfer.
Additionally, it is crucial to consider the type of soil in your area. Driving a well point in sandy soil is typically more successful than in clay soil due to the higher water yield and reservoir capacity of sand. In clay soil, the infiltration of water may be too slow to continuously supply the pump, and there may be issues with suction that can make it difficult to recover the well points for relocation. Therefore, it is important to consult with local experts or hardware stores to determine if driven wells are feasible in your area.
Moreover, the groundwater quality in your area is a significant consideration. Groundwater can sometimes be contaminated by toxic chemicals or high levels of nitrates, especially in developed areas. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the groundwater in your area is safe for your intended use, whether it be for drinking, irrigation, or other purposes. Testing the groundwater quality can help you make an informed decision about the suitability of driving a well point.
By checking local laws, consulting with experts about soil types, and assessing groundwater quality, you can ensure that you are compliant with regulations and make informed choices regarding the feasibility and safety of driving a plastic well point in your specific location.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a pipe wrench, plumbers putty, a heavy mallet or sledgehammer, a heavy pipe cap, and a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder. You can purchase the necessary supplies from your local hardware store or plumbing supply store.
First, dig a pilot hole at least two feet deep using a hand auger or shovel. Place a PVC casing over the well pipe to keep out loose dirt. Then, use a well driver or hollowed-out pole pounder to drive the well point into the ground. Once only about ten inches of the well point remain above the ground, screw on a coupler and a 6-foot-long pipe. Cap the upper end of the pipe and pound it down, repeating this process until you reach the desired depth.
Driving a well point is most successful in sandy or gravelly soil, as sand acts as a reservoir and allows water to flow through quickly. Driving a well point through clay soil is more difficult and may not yield as much water.
Check with local authorities to ensure that there are no laws prohibiting wells in your area. Also, make sure that the groundwater is not contaminated by toxic chemicals. Consult with old-timers in the area or local hardware stores to see if anyone has successfully driven a well in your area before.
