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Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Object of Today's Affection

 
water pump

Sorry, no nature pix today. My affections and attentions were focused on this un-lovely and naughty child.

We awoke to no water again. A lot of hours and another $60 later, we have water, and I know a lot more about that pump than I did before. It wasn't too encouraging when I went to the pump service place, plopped the broken part on the counter, and the lady said, "I have no idea what that is!"

But things got better (except for the price). They found the part, which is called a cartridge. It's the piece that screws into the housing, around the shaft. We needed it and the seal and gasket and spring that go inside it. Oh. There was one other exciting moment when the man at the shop sent the locking C-ring flying across the room into a 55-gallon drum full of large chunks of scrap metal. Oh, yes, I am telling the truth. We had to empty the barrel, and there it was on the bottom. I did a modified headstand and retrieved it, he had more luck on his second try, and I was soon headed back with a new unit.

Another hour or so and it was all back together again. So far so good.



10 comments:

RNSANE said...

I wouldn't have a clue how to fix any of that...but, then, I don't know a thing about critter footprints, either. You must have done everything right since you've got water again!!!

Mom's Cafe Home Cooking said...

Aren't emergency home repairs fun? I always say that at some point we'll look back on it a laugh. Honestly upside down in a barrel would have been a great photo opportunity :) I'm glad you were able to get the pump working. Hopefully that is the end of your pump troubles.

wenn said...

very practical!

Secondary Roads said...

Glad you've got that bad boy working again. No water = no fun.

Joanne Olivieri said...

Well I have no idea how they work but it seems you've become the expert. I'm just glad it is up and running again.

Ann said...

oh no not more water woes. Glad you got it fixed but I wish you would have gotten pictures of you fishing that C-ring out of the drum

Rick (Ratty) said...

I've worked on a few pumps like that before. Not fun when it refuses to start working right. I hope it decides to start cooperating with you now.

WillOaks Studio said...

Oh dear, I know that pump. We've got a similar set up in our basement (cave) here! It went out last Spring. Over 2 feet of water filled up the basement. I had to call a service. It took two days before the water heater worked again. What a disaster!

Sharkbytes said...

Carmen- I think we got it right this time!

Hi "Mom"- fine with me that no one had a camera at the pump service place! Oh yeah... a big Carhart-ed butt in a barrel.

wenn- funny how practical we get when the need arises.

Chuck- I seem to be willing to spend all summer dipping water from creeks and lakes and filtering it to drink in the woods. But I admit to enjoying it coming out of a faucet in the winter.

Jo- I am usually the fix-it person, but the last two times the pump had troubles I wasn't available, so my knowledge needed a boost.

Ann- you and Mom have evil wishes!

Ratty- it's been fed enough money, now it should start delivering!

Karen- yup, anyone with a deep enough well to require a jet pump has something that looks similar. But we have a great well, and wonderful water, so I'm happy to keep it working.

VS said...

Ugh, just imagine if you're stuck in house without water! glad that the pump could work again