2703 Well,Well,Well !

As i don't recall reading anything on the problem we have just had , i just thought I would mention it in case it helps anyone else avoid what just happened to us.

We have a very deep well and have had no problems until we hit the coldest spell recently. The pump started making the most peculiar noises, the washing machine went haywire as did the central heating and we ended up with the hot water at a trickle.
Called the plumber and the pump had packed up because suddenly we were pumping up a load of limescale. According to him this is not unusual, this happens with climate change ( i.e in our case , no problems in warmer weather , but in severe cold the water is affected). I expect some of you experts are aware of this but unfortunately we novices had no idea despite me passing my Geography 'O' level in 1965 !!!
Now have new pump and chucking Calgon tablets in washing machine, Boiler is being cleaned ( Brand new 8 months ago !) and thankfully all back to normal. Pump must be thoroughly cleaned every 7-8 months.
Just thought I would pass this on for anyone who like us is unaware of this problem.:)

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 04:34

Lyn, can you give us a rough idea at the cost of a new pump, ours packed in just before we were leaving last time. Not surprised though, its outside and has no form of shelter from the elements. The old guy at the back came and gave it a few smacks with a hammer so if its wasn't knacked before it sure is now...:rolleyes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 04:43

And so your back from outer space!!!! Welcome back Lynn&Alex.

We have gleaming new pump, new piping all over the garden, and a state of the art timer, of which we have to go to college to get a PhD and we might be able one day to set the damn thing :p

Of course theres limescale, caves, dissolved calcium, blocked everything, thanks for the warning :rolleyes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 05:41

Tried to PM but your box ix full !!!!!

By the way , apparantly this wasn't just a build up of limescale but a sudden surge which messed everything up, which is the point I was trying to warn you about. Hope that helps. I'm only going by what our plumber told us caused the problem.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 05:47

Glad your felling better, been worried about you guys, and your wit is sorely missed on the forum

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 12:54

As we also rely on our well for water, were very interested in your posting! Sorry to hear about your problems with limescale, but thanks for the warning. Forwarned is forearmed as they say! Pleased to see that you are still around as had noticed that you had not made any posts recently.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 13:24

So glad to see you back catch up with you April as we missed you in January. :)
Any details about your plumber, cost and availability would be great we have to sort our pump etc out.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 15:57

Our plumber is Gianfranco and he is a gem . He doesn't speak much English but I'm sure he is having lessons as he is now throwing in a few English words as well. I think there is one of the lads on his team (he runs a good show ) speaks a bit of English so that might help. I can give you his phone number if you want to get your interpreter to have a chat with him and see if he can do anything to help.
As far as availability is concerned i think he is rushed off his feet as most of the people who bought through our agent use him but he has always come up trumps for us .....(just as well when this happened !!!!!:) :cool:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2006 - 17:33

Ok thanks Lyn will see what we can do ourselves but call if we get stuck