Can't Find My Pump!!!

[TomMoyer]

Ok, I know this is a longshot, but I'll take any leads at this point. I just bought a wonderful home. It's about 7 years old, and the previous, previous owners installed a lovely 3ft tall retaining wall in the backyard with a lion's head fountain that spits into a 2ft deep well.

Everything was fine until about 2 months ago when the fountain started sputtering, and has now given up. Sounds like the pump is gone, but I just can't find it.... yes I know I'm lame... I've drained the well, so know it must be external. I've searched the immediate area, but nothing. I suppose they buried it deep behind the retaining wall, but wouldn't it need to be near the surface somewhere?

At this point, I'd appreciate any leads at all... I found this forum, looked at some of your amazing ponds, and thought you folk might have some good ideas on locating a missing pump...

Best regards, Tom

 

[Meekaboo]

Hey Tom,
Welcome to the forum. Just a thought, but did you try to look for an electical cord and follow that back to the pump?

 

[DrDave]

If following the cord doesn't work, try Injecting air backwards through the outlet. You will see air bubbles at the pump's intake.

 

[TomMoyer]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. There is an outlet about 15 feet away with an extension cord that runs straight into the ground. I could pull it out, but was hoping to find an easier way. Thanks for the air idea. I've blown both air and water through the bottom. Bit difficult but produces a nice stream out the lion's head.

I suspect I need to start pulling or digging things up. I'm just a bit surprised that they would have buried a pump. They must have anticipated that it would run out at some point.

Thanks again for your help. It looks/sounds great when it works, and would look really special with a fish or two.

Best, Tom

 

[DrDave]

Sounds to me like morons did the install.

 

[ElijahTurtle]

Yeah sounds like they deffinetly commited "Felony Stupid" on this one.
Any luck in solving the problem yet?

 

[DrCase]

it would have to drain out from the well at the bottom,,, if you have a way to hide the cord and the tube going up to the head ,,just stick a new pump in the well ..tie it back to the lion head

 

[DrDave]

DrCase's advice has merit.
Abandon the broken, hidden pump and re-plumb. That way, you will know where it is, how it is wired, plumbed and can service it when needed.:grumble:

 

[TomMoyer]

This has become a bit of a grudge match, and so far the fountain is winning! My best mate agrees with you and suggests I install another pump. Query to you folks whether I would need to run new pipe or simply attach it to the existing system and have it run through the missing pump.

The only other thought I have is to hire a plumber with a video camera snake and see if he can point me in the right direction...

If I ever build a pond, I'm marking the pump with a big neon sign for the new owners!!!


Thanks, Tom

 

[DrCase]

Tom the $$$ you would spend getting a plumber with a camera,to look for the old pump would be more than a new pump that you have got to buy anyway,tie the new pump to the existing pipe, or hose,,,,that goes to the lion head

 

[TomMoyer]

Thank you Dr. I'll simply get a new pump, and hook it into the existing piping... Undoubtedly, I’ll find the old pump about 10 minutes after I have the new one up and working. Thanks for your help!!

 

[DrDave]

Well then you will have the required back up pump that everyone should have.

 

[DrCase]

its all for the best...your dog will probably dig up old pump tomorrow.....