Water to new pole barn

[Engine Mike]

Building a new 40 x 60 pole barn in Northern Michigan and would like to have water inside the barn. About 30 feet away there is a well made by driving a 2 inch drill point and pipe down into the sand with a hand pump on top. Question is should I figure out how to use the existing well and route the water line inside the non heated barn where the pump and pressure tank will be. Or forget the existing well and install a similar well as outside inside the barn. Any advice which way is the best way to go?

 

[Ken45101]

As I understand it, wells need frequent use or they will fail. Will you be using the well enough all year around?

In your case, what will happen to the pressure tank (and pump) in very cold weather? What will keep them from freezing?

Do I understand that the existing well has a hand pump but you are thinking of adding a remote electric pump inside the barn? Will that even work at all?

 

[AStanton]

I would like to propose a 3rd solution. I don't know if it would be easier or more cost effective. Why not capture the rainwater off the roof of the pole building and store it in a cistern below ground, to prevent freezing. It's claimed that a 1" rainfall off a 1,000 square-foot roof throws off 625 gallons of water. Then you could use a small 1/2 hp pump to bring it inside. I've been using rain water from a 1,100 gallon cistern to wash my vehicles, buildings, and decks. My only problem is that the cistern is at ground level and has to be drained down for winter.

 

[jaotguy]

just move the well ( sand point ) to inside the barn ... build a small Styrofoam box around it , install a light bulbs inside the box to keep it from freezing ...


or dig a deep enough pit / box in the sides / put the pump inside then put an insulated lid on top ....

 

[Deere Dude]

How close to your house is it? I had a pole barn 200' away from our house in Wisconsin and just ran a 1" poly pipe from the house supply for toilets and sinks and drinking. I would blow out the lines every fall, which I didn't care for but it worked.

I had a few outside faucets, and a bathroom in it. I wasn't out there much in the winter so I didn't build a heated bathroom.

 

[oosik]

How you use the water in the new pole barn will determine what additional work must be done. Will it simply terminate at a freeze proof hydrant or will you use it in a full bathroom facility? A freeze proof hydrant is simple - the full bathroom will be expensive from all angles. Does the proposed well produce sufficient flow to support a full bathroom. Your biggest concerns are sufficient flow and winter conditions. Whatever you do, IMHO, do it correctly or you will be spending more time fixing this water system than you really want to.

 

[Gator6x4]

How you use the water in the new pole barn will determine what additional work must be done. Will it simply terminate at a freeze proof hydrant or will you use it in a full bathroom facility? A freeze proof hydrant is simple - the full bathroom will be expensive from all angles. Does the proposed well produce sufficient flow to support a full bathroom. Your biggest concerns are sufficient flow and winter conditions. Whatever you do, IMHO, do it correctly or you will be spending more time fixing this water system than you really want to.

If I understand what he advised he currently has for a water supply, is a two inch pipe which was driven into the ground with a hand pump on the top of the pipe. Move the handle up and down on the pump and something like a large cup of water will come out each time. I don't think I would want that type of a water supply. I would do the rough plumbing for what water outlets I wanted inside the Pole Barn, leave the hand pump at it current location, save my money until I could install a pump, tank, hydrant and other faucets that provide water when a lever is raised or a knob turned.

 

[RaydaKub]

Do I understand that the existing well has a hand pump but you are thinking of adding a remote electric pump inside the barn? Will that even work at all?

We ran that way for many years when I was a kid. The well was about 40 feet from the house, the pump(s) in the house. But we had water about 13-14 feet down in the well and the pump and pressure tank were in the basement, so the lift was less than 10 feet vertical. The well was also a 20 inch casing (at least up on top) and was always full, even in drought years. So it might work. It may depend on how much flow you can get out of the inlet pipe.

 

[Engine Mike]

I am beginning to think you are right. It may be more work to route a line below the Northern Michigan frost line than to drop a new well inside. Any idea where I can find the sand point?

 

[Engine Mike]

The house is probably 200 feet away but across the road. Out of the question.