Lake water system?

[fishingdad]

I have a very general somewhat stupid question. We recently purchased a cabin on Vermilion & if the lake water system is anything like most of the rest of the cabin it will have to be repaired/replaced come open water. Who around the Vermilion area installs or at least could inspect this & tell me what needs to be done as I am absolutely clueless. I do know that it has a heat tape but the pressure tank in the house is junk. The pump was probably never pulled from the lake. Just Fyi this cabin was a foreclosure & thats why I have all the unknowns. If there is a company or individual that anybody has used or knows of I would appreciate a pm. By the depth of the ice out there I know I have some time yet. Thank You

[shamrock7]

Rods Pump Service in Cook

[delcecchi]

Where is cabin located? If you are moderately handy you can do it all yourself. L&M or northwoods hardware has all the pieces parts you need. Not rocket science or even car repair in terms of complications.

Or FF also if you want to transport stuff.

[TomWehler]

I'm always working on my system.

Always something going to ^%$#!

But never anything I can;t handle......timing mostly just sucks.

As Del mentions not really hard to figure out if ya like doing this kind of stuff.

One thing I must say though is there are a lot of different systems used on the lake.

High end to old an funky but they all also work like a dream.

I enjoy messing with my system an part of it is the grumbling I do about not having the parts on the island when needed but that also teaches ya how to make do an also to keep things you need around for the JUST IN CASE times.

Some day might need a pro to redo whole shootn match but until then I go it alone an enjoy doing it.

Hope you get r fixed to yer liken an no have to spend all the steak n minnow money.

Keep on rocken!

Tommy

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Most lake water systems are pretty basic.

They include:

Shallow well pump & pressure tank

Plastic piping to the lake.

Filter or sand point on the end of the piping running into the lake.

I f you plan to use the lake water for drinking you will need to install, or maybe in your case, repair the water filtration system in the house.

Cliff

[SkunkedAgain]

Since you don't even know what you've got, I'd spend a weekend up there looking the system over. You'll save money if you can diagnose the major problems before dragging a repair guy out to assess. You might find that the system works.

Let things thaw first.

[chucker1101]

Rods Pump Service in Cook

+1

[delcecchi]

My buddy had both a filter/strainer at the lake end and a "whole house" cartridge filter where the line went into the cabin.

Oh, and there is a foot valve at the lake also to prevent the line from draining down.

You can buy everything you need to totally rebuild it for under $500, maybe considerably under 500.

Depends on how much you like to do that kind of stuff.

[Great Outdoors]

I have a very general somewhat stupid question. We recently purchased a cabin on Vermilion. I do know that it has a heat tape but the pressure tank in the house is junk. The pump was probably never pulled from the lake. Just Fyi this cabin was a foreclosure & thats why I have all the unknowns. If there is a company or individual that anybody has used or knows of I would appreciate a pm. By the depth of the ice out there I know I have some time yet. Thank You

If your cabin has a submersible pump, it can be left in the lake year around and is most likely just fine. If the pressure tank, and the water line to the lake wasn't drained, you will most likely need to replace both.

[fishingdad]

Thanks for the input everyone. I consider myself pretty handy with most everything. I've been a mechanic my entire life but have never had a lake water system. I will absolutely tackle this thing if need be but if it all goes to s*#t it sound like Rods in Cook is the ones to call. I appreciate the info. The cabin is very close to Moccasin Point.

[Steve Foss]

I sent you a PM about it. If you are a mechanic, you'll be fine, no doubt, with just a consult and recommendations, if you want to take the time to do it yourself.

As always with second properties, it's a balancing act. Some property owners can do every single thing perfectly, but choose to hire it done because they want their lake cabin time to be quiet and easy. Some positively revel in getting down and dirty at their second place. And many don't have much expertise but just want the best time they can have. And everywhere in between.

Hope your system comes up smelling like roses! One less thing to fool with. And wishing you the best of luck fishing on the Big V. She's the lalapalooza!

[delcecchi]

Thanks for the input everyone. I consider myself pretty handy with most everything. I've been a mechanic my entire life but have never had a lake water system. I will absolutely tackle this thing if need be but if it all goes to s*#t it sound like Rods in Cook is the ones to call. I appreciate the info. The cabin is very close to Moccasin Point.

Pretty simple for someone with your aptitude. Basically a pipe to the lake, a pump, a pressure tank, a pressure switch ( on the pump, typically) and a pipe to the cabin. Add a couple valves and drains so you can get the water out of the pipes and pump in the fall and you are good.

I had never heard of a submersible pump in a lake water system until Steve mentioned it. Wells, sure, but not lake water.

Folks typically use polyethylene pipe.

Since few drink lake water, they have jugs for drinking water and buy or fill from neighbor's well. Lake water is nice and soft. Well water is hard.

[shamrock7]

ah...think I know where you are then. Stop over if you need any advice or help.

[chucker1101]

Thanks for the input everyone. I consider myself pretty handy with most everything. I've been a mechanic my entire life but have never had a lake water system. I will absolutely tackle this thing if need be but if it all goes to s*#t it sound like Rods in Cook is the ones to call. I appreciate the info. The cabin is very close to Moccasin Point.

One thing to consider...Rods in Cook gets pretty busy in the summer, so scheduling them in can take 3-4 weeks once summer is rolling. Good to plan in advance when dealing with 'em.

[Great Outdoors]

I had never heard of a submersible pump in a lake water system until Steve mentioned it. Wells, sure, but not lake water.

Many people use submersible pumps to draw water from the lake, as it's easy to leave it in all year if you just drain the line near the shoreline.

I've used one for over 25 years.

Not to be used for drinking unless you have a good, expensive, water treatment system.

[delcecchi]

Sounds like a good idea if you have deep water near shore. Everyone I know has jet pump, because the water is shallow a fair ways out, and the bottom is sand.

Submersible would be easier with nothing to prime etc. Just wouldn't work for us.

[chucker1101]

Sounds like a good idea if you have deep water near shore. Everyone I know has jet pump, because the water is shallow a fair ways out, and the bottom is sand.

Submersible would be easier with nothing to prime etc. Just wouldn't work for us.

I believe St. Louis County regulations require submersible lake water pumps to be at least 12 feet deep, from OHW

[fishingdad]

Thanks again everyone Some very good insight, tips I appreciate it. If this stinkin' winter weather in April would ever decide to go away I could start digging in to this. I know for a fact I don't have 12' of water for more than 100' feet from shore its more like 6 - 8 feet deep. 2 weeks ago there was so much snow & slush at the shoreline that an old out of shape fart like me was pretty winded down there shoveling & snooping around trying to figure this out. We absolutely will be bringing water to drink & the lakewater system is for the sink, bathroom, shower etc.

[leech~~]

Most lake water systems are pretty basic.

They include:

Shallow well pump & pressure tank

Plastic piping to the lake.

Filter or sand point on the end of the piping running into the lake.

I f you plan to use the lake water for drinking you will need to install, or maybe in your case, repair the water filtration system in the house.

Cliff

Also, there maybe a check valve in the line if your on a good hill. You mite replace that since they like to go out every few years on ours and then you will have no prime!

[NilesBayHusker]

Question for the group:

First, I concur with using Rod's pump service from Cook. I've used them for my in floor heat systems. I think the owner is Gary. He used to have another plumber working for him named Jessie, but had to let him go due to the economy. Both Gary and Jessie worked on our system and both were very good. does anyone know what happened to Jessie and if I could hire him directly? Thanks

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Leech,

You are correct about the foot valve,(check valve),!! I forgot to include that in my list. It is required no matter which pump that you have.

Cliff

[Great Outdoors]

Sounds like a good idea if you have deep water near shore. Everyone I know has jet pump, because the water is shallow a fair ways out, and the bottom is sand.

Submersible would be easier with nothing to prime etc. Just wouldn't work for us.

They make stands for submersible pumps that allow them to sit off the bottom.

I've never heard of any water depth restrictions when used only for showering, and washing dishes.(I'll check on that)

Bottled water for drinking is best if using lake water, unless you have an expensive, sophisticated filter system as I mentioned earlier.

[SkunkedAgain]

You don't need an expensive, sophisticated system. Those are best but you can build/install a filter system (such as gravity fed) that will make the water drinkable.

[shamrock7]

I know of many submersible installs that are much shallower than 12' I have never heard of that reg before, wouldn't surprise me though.

[Tim Shade]

On 4/8/2013 at 5:16 PM, shamrock7 said:

Rods Pump Service in Cook

Are you still servicing the Lake Vermilion area? I'm on Voss Rd

By Moosebirds.

[bassbouncer]

3 hours ago, Tim Shade said:

Are you still servicing the Lake Vermilion area? I'm on Voss Rd

By Moosebirds.

Rods got bought out by GTS plumbing I believe. There are several out there who do lake water systems Pat @vermilion plumbing 2184109394 is another guy who does them