Day 174

We noticed a water pump in the corner of the barn. Though we never tested it out, we figured it meant water was accessible to the barn. We also noticed a random water pipe that was capped off in our basement. After putting two and two together we figured out that this oddly placed pipe was actually the pipe that led to the barn via an underground pathway.

With the help of a plumber friend, we reconnected the pipe to the water line and turned it on. Water went through the line to the outside world without issue.

But would the water make it to the barn?

After getting to the barn and testing the water pump, we quickly realized why the pipe had been disconnected in the first place. There must be a problem with the pipe because the water did not make it to the barn. Was there a crack? Did the pipe burst? Was it corroded?

Our plumber friend told us one potential way to find out was to test the water every so often over  a matter of days. Turning it on at different times might loosen up any corrosion and clear it out a bit, hopefully leading to water making its way to the water pump.

We gave it a go. The water did not.

A second option would be to dig a hole near the base of the water pump and see if there was a pipe elbow. We could potentially disconnect the pump, replace it and/or clean it and see if that helps. We dug and dug but never found an elbow. 

We discussed a third option. A much more intensive and expensive one. Digging the pipe up and replacing it. From our understanding, unless the pipe had a crazy ary of twists and turns, it went below our concrete patio and underneath the retaining wall before entering the barn. This option was simply not viable to our time, to our interests, to our capability, and to our bank account.

So we knew there was a pathway to getting water to the barn. It was just under construction. Actually, it was closed off and detoured for now.