Freezing pipes

Well and cistern setup, repair, components (pumps, etc.), etc.
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Mike Hage
Posts: 285
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:37 pm
Location: Gibbs

Freezing pipes

Post by Mike Hage »

Does the water drain itself back into the well so it doesn't freeze when the mill stops. How does this work? Is that why the pump rods are wood?
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windybob
Posts: 3503
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:59 pm
Location: Ames Oklahoma

Re: Freezing pipes

Post by windybob »

Around here we drill a Weep hole about 3 feet down from ground level in the drop pipe. It's an 1/8 inch hole. The water constantly leaks out, and when the pumping stops, the water drains out down to that level.
Call Dan Benjamin for parts. P M me for the phone number.
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Kevin
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Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2018 8:21 pm
Location: Cloverdale CA
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Re: Freezing pipes

Post by Kevin »

The wood rod is a weak spot / shear point to save you from bending metal or breaking gears and pitman arms.
An experienced windmiller told me that he always drilled the weep hole in a short brass nipple installed in the drop pipe. It was less likely to rust out and expand or have mineral deposits.
He switched to drilling the hole in a coupling after brass became more costly.
hedgerow
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Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:26 pm

Re: Freezing pipes

Post by hedgerow »

windybob wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:26 am Around here we drill a Weep hole about 3 feet down from ground level in the drop pipe. It's an 1/8 inch hole. The water constantly leaks out, and when the pumping stops, the water drains out down to that level.
This is what we have always done in my area also. Its work for years.
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