Hand Pump Well , off-grid, self-reliant water, everything you need to know

Here is everything you need to know about installing a hand pump well. How the pump works, what kind of pipe, what kind of couplers, how deep you can go etc......

If you want to be more self reliant with your own hand pump well here is the complete list of parts and the cost of each...wether its a cabin in the woods or an off grid shack, or even a family campsite a hand pump well might be your best option for water.

Here's the link to the well installation video.

[mollylamberth]

For years my old farm house no one lived in it but I went out there lots time in summer. Every year I would pay a plumber $60.00 year just to drain my pipes so would not freeze. Finally honest plumber came out and showed me cut water off going to house then open all faucets flush toilet and they would not freeze. I was so thankful to him.

[michaelfoley]

I’ve been building a small homestead for a couple of years now. This is the most thorough, accurate, clear cut, informed, humble, and easy to understand tutorial I’ve ever watched. Not only well driving, but on any construction project. And I’ve watched hundreds of videos.

I’m also in medical school. For the love of God, could you please come in and teach a couple lectures on cardiac surgery?

[locotx]

Best technology video ever . . . . no serious . . . engineers and tech people love to know how things work. I was held fascinated by the engineering and design tech of old school water wells.

[gga]

I honestly feel like l just attended an advanced college level class in well digging and maintenance. You sir are a natural born teacher! Thank you.

[ddd]

You can buy a pipe driver. Look for the very heavy steel tee post driver. Don’t bother with the light weight ones. Mine is about 30 pounds but is longer than what you are using. At 14 feet I hit blue clay and it was pretty tough going until I broke through that at 20 feet. After that it was fairly easy. Took most of one day but I’m no spring chicken at nearly 70. Good video.

[matthewshannongreen]

You guys have no idea how much y’all have changed our lives. Through your super instructional videos, we’ve gained the confidence to start doing things on our own and have since built two rooms, saved tons of money and are getting ready to implement a hand pump and who knows what else. I just want to say thank you so much to you and Brooke for your time.

[boatrvme]

I helped my dad dig 5 shallow wells in the 60s and 70s. They still work!

[Esposito]

So thankful for this. My wife and I are moving to our property this coming Tuesday. We have no water, no electricity. Thank you for making this. I am installing next week. I'll let ya know how it goes. 💪🙏

[davek]

Just came across this video. Excellent advice throughout. A couple thoughts from this retiree's former experience:
1. First and foremost, the presentation on maximum water depth is spot on. If the water table is below 25 feet from the ground surface, suction lift hand pumps are not practical.
2. Make sure you are in an area where the water table is in unconsolidated sediments, sands and such. No bedrock. Some areas with sand also can contain some rocks, you may have to move the well location a few times.
3. Ask around to see if the shallow groundwater is readily drinkable without treatment. In some areas, the shallow groundwater can have high solids content, odor, bad taste, you name it. Most areas will have good water. But no guarantees either way, it's worth checking beforehand.
4. Well point drive/slide hammers are available commercially. I've used them in groundwater work. Search "piezometer point slide hammer" or "well point drive hammer" and you can find them. If you buy a groundwater industry product, be prepared for some sticker shock, as they'll likely be a few hundred dollars. As an alternative, look into fence post and T-post drivers from vendors such as Tractor Supply. IMPORTANT - whatever you buy, make sure the working diameter of the hammer fits with the well pipe diameter you're using. I don't know enough to specify a specific hammer for a specific well pipe, sorry. Maybe other viewers can? I always used matched slide hammer/piping/well points from groundwater supply vendors in my work, but again but this would be an expensive route to take and there are alternative products.
5. Hopefully you'll never have to remove the well. Great points were discussed in this video regarding the evils of soil pressure and friction associated with the couplings and the well point. It will likely not be easy but more often than not it can be done. The tripod suggestion is on target, a rigged winch/come-along can work. For safety's sake - watch those cables and stay clear, there will be a lot of tension. If you are fortunate and end up with a working slide hammer, you can also add a length of well pipe extension above ground, slip the hammer over it, add the threaded drive cap, and pound upwards instead of downward as when you installed the well. Again, all hammer/pipe/cap diameters must work with each other. But at this point you'll know if this will work if you successfully used this method to install the well.
6. If you're in an area with nearby industry, gas stations, feedlots, etc. make your first call to the local or state environmental protection office. They will have information as to whether there are any known sources of groundwater contamination in your area. Don't put your well anywhere near your septic system's leach field!

Regarding the first three items - initial information sources can include the usual suspects (family, friends and neighbors). Local feed stores, hardware stores that sell the points might work. County agricultural extension offices, local county or state environment protection offices may work, also the State Geologist's office. Local engineering or environmental consulting firms are a possibility. Be patient if contacting these offices, as finding that right person may take some doing. Some scientists and engineers love helping the public when a non-routine question such as this comes up, others not so much!  

Be careful with providing TMI as the subject of permitting may come up with certain regulatory offices. If you don't wish to contact the government offices because of privacy concerns, you could instead do a computer search on ground water quality in ___ County ___ State. Similar search for groundwater depth. Naming convention as to whether to use "groundwater" or "ground water, " one or two words? Use both alternatives in your searching.

Apologies for rambling, hope this helps. Good luck!

[rhondawright]

Sycamore trees.... are a sign of water.... your video was the best advice! Thanks!

[tamaracross]

I'm a introvert also homesteading in NC, it was nice to meet you through this video.

[ryanmac]

Man I’m so glad I found your channel, and this video. We’ve been talking about doing a hand pump well for years, but never really knew how to get started. We have an old pump house that has a hand pump from the early 1900s, and I’ve always wanted to try to restore it but again… never really knew how. Now I do. Keep making great content man, this is probably some of the best videos on YouTube. Glad there are guys like you out there, doing this kind of stuff and then teaching the rest of us how we can too.

[johnbarry]

Nice job, on your tutorial. I have a couple of points, however. 1.) If you use Teflon tape, and pipe dope on top, you will have a great seal, and IF you have to take it apart, for some reason(You probably will, your first time.), then the tape will minimize the mess. Also, I have been around pipe dope and Teflon tape for more than 30 years, and I have seen them BOTH leak, but I have NEVER seen the combination of the two leak. On another note, I prefer the grey pipe dope. It is less apt to cracking with age. 2.) There is such a thing, called a "Fence Post Hammer", that will work for your "well hammer". Good job.

[ambissing]

As always, you make me feel like I could actually do this. Thank you

[onemansthought]

Know zero about wells and pumps but must say, you explained everything so well that I can do this! GREAT JOB Sir....

[CarolinaGuy]

I just re-watched this video Dave. Your attention to detail and tips to do it right the first time are invaluable man. Good stuff!

[reidhaney]

Did this 30 years ago on my farm in Indiana. This covered everything very well. This is by far the best explanation / tutorial I have ever seen. Great job!!!

[ellenlefavour]

I’m getting ready to do a hand pump well and am so grateful that God led me to your video. Thank you for such complete, clear and concise info on parts needed and each step in the process. You are a Godsend.

[donschweihofer]

Many years ago an old timer told me that you can tell you are into water if you dump water into the pipe and it goes down . The faster the pipe takes water the better the well . Great video! Brought back good memories of the cabin at Rose City , MI.

[jdavid]

You, sir, are thorough, clear, and well organized. You are an exceptional teacher. Thank you!