Did you know that eight states in the United States are running out of water? California, along with Utah, South Carolina, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon, are set to experience a shortage of water supplies.
What’s even more entrenching is that they won’t be the only states experiencing water crises. Experts say we should expect incoming droughts to be drier and longer than the last 1,000 years.
Thus, if you’re thinking of installing a well pump, now’s a good time! There’s no better time to reinvest in a well than today. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on installing a well pump.
Knowing Your Choices
The first step to installing a well pump is to decide which type of well pump you need. Generally, there are three main types of well pumps to consider if you plan to install a well pump system at home. These are hand pumps, submersible, and jet well pumps.
Submersible well pumps are the most popular choice among homeowners. This is because submersible pumps work for different well depths. However, they work best for areas where wells reach hundreds of feet.
As the name suggests, a submersible pump is completely immersed in the well. This long metal cylinder draws water from a well using a water motor.
The water is then passed through a flow sleeve and into a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe pushes the drilled water to an adaptor which redirects the water to your home.
Since a submersible well pump is always underwater, it’s able to stay cool. This means that its motors don’t burn as often as other water well pumps. As a result, they have a lifespan of more than 25 years.
Note that while submersible well pumps have a well-sealed motor. This seal protects it from damages caused by underground water. Yet, the seal can disintegrate and let the water into the motor when not maintained.
Jet Well Pumps
Another type of well pump to look for is the jet pump. Jet well pumps sit above the well and, thus, out of the water.
This type of well pump suctions out water using an impeller motor. The impeller motor draws the water through a pipe into a narrow opening.
There are two types of jet pumps: centrifugal or single drop and double drop jet pumps. Centrifugal jet pumps work the same way that submersible well pumps do. The difference is that they can only operate on wells that are 25 feet or less.
They’re also a lot smaller in size compared to other types of well pumps. This makes them easier to access and maintain. Also, centrifugal jet pumps don’t have drive seals, eliminating corrosion risk.
As a result, there will be lesser repair costs to pay. Furthermore, the well pump itself is less expensive.
Yet its small size also limits its power capacity. This means they can only draw a limited amount of water.
Double Drop Jet Well Pumps
While the impeller motor of a double drop jet well pump is aboveground. The jet assembly sits down within the well. This helps the pump draw more water allowing it to overcome the problems imposed by distance.
As such, double drop jet well pumps are more powerful and can work in 100 feet wells. However, the deeper the well, the less efficient the well pump will be. This is because its motors will have to work harder to draw the water aboveground.
Hand Pump
As the name implies, these pumps use a hand-turned lever to draw water out of the well. The water is then transported into a holding tank before it’s sent to your home. However, using hand pumps is physically tiring, which is why they’re not as common today as they were before.
What Is the Best Well Pump for Your Home?
Now, how do you know which among the types of well pumps suits your home? The key to determining the most suitable well pump for your plumbing system lies in the depth of your well.
If your well is not more than 25 feet in depth, hand pumps and centrifugal jet well pumps work well. You can also opt to use double drop jet well pumps.
Deeper wells deserve double drop jet well pumps and submersible well pumps. The latter is ideal for wells that are more than 100 feet in depth.
Another factor to consider is the amount of water you’ll need. Pumps are often categorized according to how many gallons per minute they can draw. For instance, most 3-4-bedroom homes need 8 to 12 gallons per minute.
Further, it’s also best to consider the location of your well. Jet well pumps, for instance, are risky in sandy areas as they’re more susceptible to damages caused by sand.
If you’re unsure of your choice, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional. Get help in determining which well pump is best for you.
How Much Will Installing a Well Pump Cost?
The exact cost of installing a well Pump will vary depending on the type of well pump. Excluding installation fees, a well pump can cost you $200 to $1,200 on average.
Submersible pumps are the most expensive type of well pump ranging from $200 to $1,200. The cost varies depending on the size and horsepower of its motors. It follows that the higher the horsepower, the more expensive the well pump will be.
Expect to pay extra for additional components like check valves. Check valves are standard components that prevent. As such, you can do away with them and will have to pay extra for their installation or replacement.
Centrifugal jet pumps and hand pumps are smaller thus, less expensive. Price ranges from $100 to $500 for centrifugal or single drop jet well pumps. On the other hand, hand pumps cost around $150.
If you want to add protection features such as insulated bags, the installation cost will be higher. The same is true if you opt to have the exposed pipes wrapped in protective films.
The installation cost of well pumps ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands. Again, it depends on factors such as the type of well pump, location, and depth of your water well. If you want an exact estimate, reach out to us and get a free quote!
Maintenance and Lifespan of Well Pumps
Even high-end submersible pumps need regular maintenance for them to last long. Therefore, your newly installed well pump should receive regular maintenance every 1-3 years. If you keep this up, you can prolong its lifespan up to 15 more years or longer.
While you typically can’t provide deep maintenance for your well pump, there are steps you can take to prevent damages. This includes keeping hazardous materials away from the well.
It also helps to get the well water tested per year. Checking the well cap and casing to ensure it didn’t incur damages also works.
Are You Sure You Need to New Well Pump?
Before you continue, how sure are you that you need to replace and install a new well pump? The key symptoms of a damaged well pump include continuous low water levels.
It’s not uncommon for a well-sourced plumbing system to lack water from time to time. This is especially during long droughts where the water supply recedes. However, if your tank still has a low level of water amidst great weather conditions, check your pump.
Low water levels may be a sign of a worn-out well pump, especially if your well pump is old. However, it could also be that your well pump is no longer strong enough to draw water underground.
In like manner, a worn-out motor pump can cause low water pressure. If the water pressure in your shower or faucets degrades, the motors in your well pump may have an issue.
When dirty water starts pouring from your shower or faucets, your well pump is likely broken. Well pumps can’t handle high amounts of sediments such as sand. If a high amount enters your pump system, it can cause damage.
Unreasonably high energy bills may also be an indicator of a damaged well pump. This can mean that your well pump is always running, causing high power consumption. Such can be a result of dirt and sediments clogging your pump.
Pointers to Take Note When Diagnosing
There are cases where homeowners commission for well pump services to replace a well pump when they don’t need it. At times, the well pump system’s issues are typically caused by other components. As such, before replacing a well pump, make sure that the well pump is really the one causing the issue.
For instance, when there’s no water, check if there’s any tripped circuit breaker first. You should also test if the pressure switch on the well pump isn’t corroded. In some cases, old pressure switches corrode, disrupting water connections.
A waterlogged pressure tank can also cause low water pressure. Thus, make sure to check your pressure tank. If you depress the air valve and water comes out, replace your pressure tank and not the pump.
Low water levels can also be a result of malfunctioning float. Thus, make sure to open your tan and manually move the float to check for water flow. If you moved the float without water flow, the problem is within the float and your well pump.
Can You Install and Replace Well Pump Alone?
Have you confirmed that you need well upgrades, specifically well pump replacement? Then it’s time to put in the effort and get the work done.
While installing and replacing a well pump by yourself is possible, it’s not advisable. Mainly because installing a well pump may be difficult for those who lack the technical skill for the job.
There’s a high chance of meeting accidents during the process. There’s also the added risk of making a mistake which can cost you thousands to repair.
The well pump is the lifeline of the water system in your house. Thus, it’s best to leave this crucial work at the hands of skilled experts.
However, with the great number of providers, how do you choose the best well pump, the provider? Credibility, for one, is a sure eliminator. Let’s discuss more on this in the section below.
Choosing the Best Well Pump Service Provider
To limit your list of potential service providers, check for their credibility. This means crossing out providers who lack licensing for well pump service provision.
It’s also important that the company you hire is fully bonded and insured. Bonds assure that the company will complete their work or else they’ll pay you back your money. On the other hand, insured companies secure you and your property in cases of accidents.
Also, remember that not all well pump service providers offer emergency repairs. Even if they do, same-day service is not guaranteed. As such, it’s essential to consider the availability of the well pump service provider.
You’ll want someone who can come to your aid sooner than later, especially if you’ve constantly put off repairs or in case of emergencies. You should also focus on providers with great customer support. Knowing that someone will answer your queries when you contact them is a huge benefit.
Not only will consultation go smooth, but coordinating schedules will also be a piece of cake. This means no extra source of stress for those already inconvenienced by a faulty well pump. Check the review page to see what people say about their customer support services.
Beyond Well Pump Installation Services
Finally, it’s convenient to go with a well pump service provider who offers an array of services. For instance, you may want to hire someone who offers water line thawing and well and pump services. This makes the shop a one-stop-shop removing the need to contact different companies.
If you’re planning to install a new well pump, then it may be best to get someone who also sells well pumps. This way, you’ll only have to coordinate and schedule with one company rather than two different ones.
We Can Help You With Your Well Pump
Whether you’re planning on installing a well pump or seeking a preventative maintenance plan, Blair and Norris’ A team is here! Our experienced team will cater to your well, pump, drilling, and septic needs.
Rest assured that we want nothing but provide quality customer service. So give us a call and see the difference in work quality that only 100 years’ worth of experience can give.
