Sediment in Well Water effecting Shower

H

hoopman

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Hi the water supply to our house comes via our own well which is around 50 yrs old. (we've been in house for last 12 yrs)

Around 4 yrs ago we started to have problems with our shower which is a Triton T80si. The water to the shower comes via a T joint off the main feed pipe to the water tank in attic.
The problem with the shower was that the very fine filter in the back of the solenoid valve would clog up with sediment and thus there would not be enough water pressure for the shower to heat water. This would happen about every 2 months (approx120 showers). I would clean the filter and everything ok.

The problem now is that it is happening after about a week of showers (15 - 20) and I've had to start connecting another hose pipe to the inlet to flush out any sediment that might be lying in the pipe. And plenty of sediment comes flying out.

Would anyone have any experience of this problem with their wells and if so would they have a solution. I have been told by older locals that my well is suppose to be oe of the best around as it has never gone dry while others have over the years. but would the fact that I'm now picking up sediment in the water mean that it's starting to dry up.

Another thing I also noticed which may or may not be relavent is that around the same time the shower start giving problems, we also started to get lime (quite a lot) in our kettle, which we never did for the 8 yrs previous.

Any Advice Please !
 
Get your water tested at a reputable laboratory. This should not cost you more than about €100. When you get the results show them to a reputable water treatment contractor and get quotes for treatment.

Hardness in the water can cause problems as can high levels of Iron/Manganese.
 

Had it done by the local teagasc office only last Feb. results were_


pH 7.4 up from 6.9 in 1998
phosphrus 0.011
Ammonium-N <.1
Copper 0.02
Zinc 0.02
Iron 0.04
Manganese <.01
Calcium 59.7
Magnesium 5.6
Sodium 1.8 which in 1998 was 9.4
Potassium 1.2
Total Coliforms Nil
Faecal Coliforms Nil
Hardness 171 (moderately Hard) it was 172 in 1998
Conductivity 405 it was 390 in 1998
Nitrate n 5.49
Nitrate N < 0.001

I usually get the water tested every year, although it is has really been for peace of mind in case there are any coliforms or other harmful substances in it. There have been no major differences in the readings, except those highlighted
 
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We have the same problem with our well even getting bits of grit coming through the tap.I think it is because of all the heavy rain we have been having lately as it always seems to happen after those deluges .
 
Hoopman

I can't explain why it would happen all of a sudden but if you are getting lime in your kettle then it is probably limescale sediment affecting shower also.

I recommend getting a water softener installed on the house supply. It will make all your appliances - kettle wash mach dish washer elec showers last longer and also your imersion heater will be more efficient and it and the hot tank will last longer.

Good luck
 

The sediment from the shower looks more like fine sand than lime, though,
 
Came across a case with a shower that was completely blocked up with fine sand and I mean completely. The only differance was the shower was fed from a storage tank, which ofcourse was fed from the mains. Had a look in the tank and it had a lot of white/yellow fine sand in t, I had to clear it all out. Put it down too a lot of rain as was said here earlier. but too be honest, don't know for sure.
 

We fill up a lot of bottles with tap water and leave in the fridge for drinking. and occassionaly there is some sediment in the bottom of the bottles that are left overnight. But water still tastes fine.

The major headache with it effecting the shower is having to take the front cover off and disconecting the solenoid valve all the time to get at the filter, which i am sure will not do the shower any good with all this regular tinkering.
Would you know Davy if there is any type of filter that could be put on the half inch copper pipie that is feeding the shower and tank. something like an isolation valve with a filter on it. So i could catch the sediment there before it reachs the shower and tank
 
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DavyJones said:
You could go for a lever valve and connect the first filter here
Click to expand...
Thanks Davy, but i'm a bit confused about the filter highlighted.
Its Length is 10 inches and Width 2.5 inches ,
so would I be right in saying that what i do is introduce a levervalve on the feed pipe and then above the lever valve cut out a 10 inch section of the copper pipe and join this filter pipe to the main feed pipe.
 


Sorry, they are cartridges for filter units! You are looking for a small filter that goes directly on service pipe. There would not be too common in domestic plumbing but should be common enough in commercial/indtrustrail to protect machinery ect form damage. I will try and post a link here if I find one.
 

Cheers Davy I appreciate that
 
DavyJones said:
Had you something like this in mind: For that price you can't go wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks Davy I think I'll give that a go.
Would there be some type of filter or mesh inside the extended section with the cap to catch the sediment, do you think.
 
yes, it can be unscrewed from the top and it pulls out to be cleaned. You will need an isolation valve before the valve. If you go for the half inch one, you will need two 1/2inch 311 (male threaded fitting to screw into either side of filter) these will enable you to connect to copper by means of compression. A roll of P.T.F.E tape will be needed also to dress threads on 311 before you screw them in to filter body.
 

Cheers Davy I'll order them so. Thanks a lot for your help
 
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