WELL INSTALL with a sledge hammer

Top questions and answers: 1. Do you own the land: Yes. 2. Where is this at? Remote UP of Michigan. 3. Where can I buy this kit? Not a kit- all supplies were purchased at Menards. We use 1-1/4" well pipe. Make sure it's for wells. (Usually stamped on it.) 4. How does the water get in the pipe? The well point pipe is a screen- micro holes in it. 5. Shouldn't you get the water tested? We've never tested our remote wells. The water is coming straight from the aquifer and filtered by sand. Period. We've never been sick. EVER. It's how we do it. You may choose to do it another way. 6. Why is the river water so brown? Tannins. 7. Why did you use river water to soak and prime the pump instead of clean, bottled water? It's what I had. Then ran 60-70 gallons through it. No worries. 8. How do you winterize the pump? Let the prime out. 9. Why not use a fence post driver? Too light in my opinion- pound yourself to death with little progress. We have also used a homemade well pounder that is about 70 lbs- very effective but very heavy and awkward for one person my size to use (see video links above to hubby's videos). As you can see, the sledge worked just fine in that sandy soil. It's an 8 lb woman-powered sledge. Go beat that pipe- getcha some water girl! LOL Feels good. 10. How did you know where the water would be? I could see the water table..... the river's right there. 11. How come it's so far from the cabin? It's only about 25 ft- right near the wood pile. 12. I didn't know putting in a well was so easy!! It's not.... usually. This is an extreme example of great location and soils. Trust me, it usually doesn't go this easy! A hand pump will only lift water about 25 ft. max- so if you've got good, easy soil (sandy) and hit water within 25 ft. you're golden!

This is my dream home. This is life and living. This lady is a much better role model for young girls than any Kardashian. Had I a role model like you when I was younger, I would be living this simple reality in all it's complexities. In the kindest way, I'm jealous. Bless your hearts, keep living the beautiful life for all of us.

Finally, an intelligent woman that can teach stuff without showing off TnA. Very refreshing. Loved the video.

I am so impressed by you Brooke Whipple. Not only are you a happy upbeat, creative person, but you are also incredibly smart! Thanks for sharing your life with us. Peace!

OMG... I'm empowered!!! You are my idol and role model and I'm 65!!! You are a role model to women everywhere!!

As a master Constuction pipe fitter, I worked for DuPont for 32 years, here's what I can tell you. Pipe dope is a lubricant, not a sealer. As a lubricant it allows you to screw pieces together to the maximum, that's what bonds the pipe together. Also, use pipe tape, it does the same thing, is less messy, and is easier to carry around, put it in your back pocket.

Great job! I have one suggestion for you, and I apologize if someone else might have already commented similarly. I'd suggest digging a 2-ft deep and 4-ft diameter hole at the top of your well riser pipe. Then fill it with either neat cement of a mixture of cement and bentonite to create a surface seal for the well. This would prevent surface contamination from inflating down to the screened section of your well. Worst case would be a dog or other wildlife peeing or pooping near the well. Then while the cement is still wet, lay several flat rocks on top of it around the well so that you don't have to stand in mud when you fetch water from your well. Enjoy!

Damn. This is the best video on the web. A woman with a pistol, and knife on her belt working a hammer like that!! Putting a well in!!! My hillbilly heart is in love! Lol

I recognized you right away from watching the alone series. You are one able-bodied woman I wish I had half your strength and knowledge but then I’m 67 years old and work hard my backyard here in Northwest New Jersey. God bless!

Now that's what I'm talkin about. When electricity is not an option but you still need water, this is such an awesome option, gotta love it.

Billions of people in the world wish they could do what they did! We are so privileged. I am grateful for all of our blessings..

Mother nature will take care of us… such a blessing

You made installing a well look so easy

Brooke, I’m totally gleeful at your results. You are amazing and an inspiration to so many people! No whining, no cussing, no tantrums, no moaning. That’s how I was raised, too: being thankful for what you can do, what you do have and work your butt off for what you want. You are a rare roll model and so is Bushy!!

I loved seeing that look on your face!!! I’m very happy that the algorithm showed me your channel. Great content! 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

Hey Girl, You should go down a couple more sticks at least, because water tables can move up or down 25 feet or more, every month. Also, for now, dump water near the pump handle to soften the soil, so you can push down farther. Any dirt you dig out around the pipe path is a natural water bucket. Fill it with water so you can push deeper. After a rainstorm try and push the point down deeper. Finally, adding a plank of wood at the top of the well cap will allow you to stack wood or rocks on top. Then gravity will assist it lowering the sand point deeper.

Girl…..I’ve been waiting to learn how to put in a hand pump well. I had no idea it could possibly be so easy. Thank you!!!

Water is a life force for everything! Amen to the well! I love, love the new pup and the cabin so much. I am trying hard to face the fact that I will never sleep in a tent again. I had a major ischemic stroke in mid-October and am in a nursing home now doing rehab but don't expect to be home till the end of the month or so. I did get into the woods with my girlfriend in September though, with her daughter and 14 year old grandaughter. We stayed in a cabin and had a great night. I had that kid laughing hard enough to pee. Wonderful memory. Thank you for the stickers in my thank-you note and please pray for me Brooke.

I have an old hand dug well with a hand pump in it, a creek, three ponds nearby and a lake a few miles away. Water no problem. I know how to make charcoal and have an endless supply of sand so I can make water filters even though I have several Lifestraws, Sawyer Minis and house water filters. Keep Prepping my friends.

KLT. That is amazing. I grew up, I am 73, with almost that exact pump. We were on the Eastern shore of Maryland and our well was, wait for it, 540 feet. Originally it was artesian, which means that the water would have flowed from it on its own, but when I was growing up it was a few feet down. The water was amazing. It originated in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Eventually the water table dropped. Under ideal conditions you can only draw water 33 feet. You can push it however as far you want, but you can only draw it, or pull it, only so far. Realistically, half that. Eventually, we had to install what was called a Venturi pump. But the water was amazing. As pure and fresh as any water, I believe, has ever been. Good job on the video. Inspiring really, and it was good to reminisce.