Driving a shallow well with a sandpoint. FAIL! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!
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Published 2023-07-13
Well, as usual things didn't go so smoothly at the off grid tiny cabin. I guess I'll have to hold off on calling this the weekend homesteading tip of the week. On second thought, here is a video of some of the things that can go wrong while trying to install your own well. Maybe someone can learn something from the things that went wrong for me.
Here is a summary of things to consider that no one is talking about.
Use slow setting pipe thread compound on all coupling connections. Even the on the coupling used to drive the pipe. I had two couplings that I could not remove when it was time to add more pipe.
Retighten the well pipe every so often. I found that the well pipe can unloosen from the coupling below while driving the next section of pipe. Every so often I would put a wrench on the pipe below the drive pipe and it would need some retighting.
Dig as deep as you can with a post hole digger before trying to drive your sandpoint. This should help get you through the surface rocks that are 2-4 feet below the surface.
If your pipe start to run crooked, put a strap on it and give it some tension while you are driving.
Be CAREFUL if using a DRIVE CAP. They are not as deep as a drive coupler and with fewer threads to absorb the impact, I found it deformed the pipe threads and caused issues when connecting the next section of pipe.
I spent 2.5 days hand pounding with a fence post driver. I could have rented a jack hammer with a well driver for $45 from the rental store and drove it so much quicker and easier.
There is no guarantee you will hit water even if you do everything right.
Good luck!
All Comments (21)
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When attaching coupler to pipe, you never will fully bottom out all threads. Pipe threads are not straight inline with the pipe - they are angled so they pull up tighter. Also, when threadded connections are so tight they won't come apart - heating the outer part (Coupler) with a torch will expand it slightly to help it release from the pipe.
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Terry, one thing is for certain. You are not a quitter. Your determination is admirable. Best of luck moving forward. Your camp is a great example of your hard work. That’s a lot to be proud of.
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They will come apart without dope you just need bigger wrenches or cheater pipes for extra leverage to get them apart. Anytime you screw fittings together it will always take a lot more torque to unscrew them. Someone mentioned heating the coupler with a torch, you can do the same thing with 2 hammers. Hold 1 hammer against the side of the coupler and hit the opposite side with the other. In the oilfield we called it warming up the connection, actually works pretty good when you don't have a torch handy.
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Hey Terry, I haven't commented in a while. This is why we love you because most YouTubers wouldn't even upload a video like this. I don't think I've ever seen you so defeated, it made me sad. I love your heart,your determination and even when you crush your balls you're still pleasant. You really are a special person and I know we're just subscribers to you but I do think of you as a friend. If I ever win the lottery I'm going to give you money so you can put a well in professionally. Thank you for your content and thank you for your generosity of spirit. Shawn
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Gotta love the intestinal fortitude you display my friend. Makes me appreciate my rain catchment system and 12v pump setup for running water in the cabin.
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That is why I like your videos , you show mistakes and let people learn from them. Cheers
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Thank you for being real! I bought all my sandpoint well stuff in 2021 and am now trying to learn how to install it as thinking with all the weird weather and other things I need to get an alternate way to get water in an emergency as we have a deep well powered by electricity as our water source. I love that you shared all the problems and some of the things you have learned. You are a blessing. Gonna try it but if I fail ....well what you said is true. If I don't try I for sure won't hit water.
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The struggle is real. APPRECIATE your determination, been there many times myself. Think we can just power through the obstacle facing us.
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Suggestions: Chain Wrench for the Couplings. It will distribute the force around the coupler without "egging" the coupler and seizing it up. Use Aluminum Rigid 3' pipewrench 18 or so inches away from the coupler to hold the pipe. Rent a demolition hammer or gas powered fence driver to drive the pipe.
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Love your determination Terry. It's motivating as well as comforting to know I'm not the only one!!!
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I feel your frustration bud. I’m at my cabin at Vermilion now and seriously felt like running over to try to lend a hand or at least some support. Learning is often painful but sometimes it’s worth it. Thanks for posting such an honest video Terry !!!
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I LOVED this video! Insanely intriguing to watch. So realistic! It’s tapping into my inner soul. Reflects the daily struggles of all men out there. Starts with how he bought these a while ago and didn’t get to kick off the project for like 2 years 😂 Then continues with big hopes, and a reasonable hypothesis why it should have water.. and then kicks off and keeps refining and adjusting towards the goal. So many trips to the hardware store. The doubts, the fear, the struggles… So realistic man! Felt like I was there cleaning the pipe threads, torquing, and even trying to get the wrench out, and having some of the bbq. Great video!
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I am planning to install one myself. And I have some more researching to do!
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Great tips ! I’m going to do one this summer and I will be thinking of your video! Thanks for sharing
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At age 78, I've done thousands of projects ....some worked, some didn't. We've all been discouraged at times, but kept going....that's the message. I must admit, there were times during this video you made me laugh....reminded me of my frustrations. You're a trooper.....keep trudging along.
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I removed 20 feet of well pipe that was 25 years old to replace the sand point, and i sunk it 4 feet deeper after replacement. I used a thee ton comalong and a sledgehammer. Used cinder blocks to build a platform to suspend the comalong. Took 16 hours of work to complete.
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I fully understand your frustration! Every project I do is a comedy of errors. My most recent was yesterday. A project that should have taken 15 minutes took all day. I've just accepted the fact that it's always gonna be like this. I think the devil is messing with me.
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Drive coupling are not made to strike, that's what the drive cap is for. When I sell a driven well set up, I always include 3-4 short pieces of 8-10" pipe. If using a drive cap they would be threaded on both ends. If using a jack hammer attachment, then they are threaded on one end only. Those short pieces take the impact and are disposable. We rent a pipe driver attachment for a jackhammer that fits inside a 2" pipe and takes a lot of the work out of driving a well. You will never get the pipe all the way onto the threads. They are tapered, and the way the pipe thread cutter works, there will always be some threads showing and are too "fat" to fit into the coupling. Thanks for posting so we can all learn from your experience. Every well driving job is different.
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This was me last summer. Failed at my first sandpoint well like you. Smash cap seized to the pipe. Went about 15 feet down and had to pull it. Used a farm jack and broke 2 wrenches getting it up. Very sandy soil so it was a challenge and had to dig down 10 feet to get enough leverage to salvage the sandpoint. Going to retry this year at a new spot downhill.
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One other note: After you get the sand point driven into the ground (1st section) you then backfill around the pipe, before driving it further. That way if you drop things (Like a wrench) it only lands on the ground. Also, it helps keep the pipe steady so it's not wobbling around while being driven.
