A well water pump is a big purchase. Whether you’re replacing an old pump or upgrading your current one, you want to make sure that it lasts. Your well water pump helps you get the water you need when you need it. From installation to maintenance, how do you make sure you get the most out of your well water pump? We’ll be discussing the best way to maintain the longevity of your water pump.
Importance of Proper Installation
Well water pump installation is the first and most important part of the process. Anything that goes wrong at this stage can affect your water supply. If your water pump isn’t properly installed it can contaminate your water, mess up your water table, and not follow local rules. Contamination of your water supply can be caused by bacteria, pesticides, or chemicals. All of these can hurt you and make your water unsafe. Another factor that is affected if your well water pump is installed incorrectly is messing up your water table. The water table is the saturated part of the ground that collects the water. If your household needs water for more than one person, the well will need to work harder. Therefore, it will need to be dug deeper. If this is not done, it can cause problems with your well and mess up your water table. Lastly, if your well water pump isn’t properly installed it can go against local government regulations. These regulations and rules are in place to protect the local environment and ensure your neighbors also have access to safe drinking water.
The importance of proper installation of your well water pump is extremely important. It cannot be overlooked. This is also the first step in maintaining the longevity of your well water pump. If your well is properly installed it can ensure that you won’t run into any major issues right after installation. No one wants to replace a water pump right after buying one.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Well Water Pump
When it comes to choosing a well water pump, there are a range of options. How do you know which one will work best for your household? It’s important to look into all the factors and find the one that best matches your needs. Some of the factors to consider are the depth of your well, your water needs, and what features you want.
First, what is the depth of your well? The depth of the well can vary from 30ft to 50ft. If you’re unsure of the depth of the well, make sure to call a professional to help you measure it. Once you know the depth of your well this will help you determine which well water pump will work for you. If you have a dug well, a shallow well pump will work for you. If you have a driven or drilled well, you will need a deeper well pump.
Next, you will need to figure out your water needs. If it’s just one or two people your well water pump won’t need to pump as much water. However, if you have a family of four or more your well pump will need to pump more water. It’s important to get a professional opinion on what will work best for your household. If you don’t have a big enough water pump, appliances won’t get enough water to work and it can cause low water pressure.
The last factor to consider is what features you would like. Modern well-water pumps have tons of handy features. Check and see what features the water pump has for vales to ensure no backflow happens. Another feature to look for is a pressure switch. A pressure switch will turn on and off the water based on the water pressure.
Understanding the Different Types of Well Water Pumps
There are three main types of well water pumps: centrifugal, submersible, and jet pumps. Each one has its own unique advantages and usages. Once you understand the factors and know what you need, then you can figure out which type of well water pump will work for you.
Centrifugal – These types of pumps are one of the most common types. They are ideal for a shallow well as they can only handle around a 25-foot suction lift. Some of the advantages of centrifugal pumps include low corrosion risks, more affordable, and quieter. These types of well water pumps don’t have drive seals which makes them less apt for corrosion risks. Since these pumps are for more shallower wells, they are more affordable. Lastly, these pumps are quieter than the jet pumps.
Submersible – A submersible pump uses a motor to draw groundwater and pumps it into a flow sleeve to the reservoir. These well water pumps are used for deeper wells because of their incredible suction power. Submersible pumps have plenty of advantages including energy savings, durability, and their watertight nature. This kind of water pump utilizes gravity to pull up the water which saves you money on your energy bill. They also have a long lifespan, in some cases lasting up to 25 years or more. These pumps are watertight which ensures no water will get to your pump’s motor.
Jet – These pumps are non-submersible, meaning they are installed outside of the well, unlike the other two types. Jet well water pumps come in two types single-drop and double-drop. A single-drop is similar to a submersible pump but can function for a more shallow well. Single-drop water pumps have to be installed in your home. A double-drop is a more powerful version of a single-drop but can be used for a deeper well. The double-drop water pump has the jet unit installed in the well. The impeller motor is installed above the ground. With a jet well water pump, you will have to prime the well by filling it up with water before use.
The Installation Process for a Well Water Pump
Depending on which well water pump you go for, there will be different steps to the installation process. This is a basic breakdown of what the process will look like. This will help you understand what to expect, when to plan the installation process, and everything you will need to do.
- You will need to cover the well. This will ensure no objects will end up inside the well while people are working. This will also help to keep the water supply safe while it is being worked on.
- When installing the well water pump, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This will make sure that it will be installed correctly. As previously mentioned, an incorrectly installed well water pump can cause a ton of headaches and damage.
- Be sure to check if all the pipe joints are airtight and watertight. If these joints get air or water in them, this can mess up your well water pump. It can easily contaminate the water supply, mess up your brand-new water pump, and cost you thousands in repairs.
- Install a one-way check valve in the feed line that goes to the pump. This will keep water in the shallow well pump and the plumbing system instead of going back down into the well.
- You can also install a pressure tank to check the water pressure. This will help you keep track of what the water pressure is. It will help ensure that the pressure remains constant and reduce the wear and tear on the pump motor.
When installing your well water pump, you must get an expert to do the installation. If the installation is done poorly, it can mess up your water supply. An expert will be able to walk you through the process and have the necessary knowledge to troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
Common Maintenance Tasks for Well Water Pumps
Once you install the well water pump, it’s important to keep up with the maintenance. If you fail to keep up with maintenance your well will not last very long. Depending on the kind of well pump you choose, there will be different types of maintenance to be done. Some well pumps offer fairly low maintenance, that is another factor to consider when figuring out which one to purchase.
Once you install your well water pump, read your owner’s manual to determine how frequently maintenance needs to be done. If the pump needs to be shut off, choose a time when no one is at home. Or when you can be without water for a few hours.
Understand your well and how it runs. If you never go out and inspect it, you won’t know what to look for when it’s not working properly. It’s always a good idea to check your well and water pump. If you notice any leaks or weird noises, make sure to call an expert. If you delay, it can cause more damage to your system.
Before checking inside the well pump, make sure all the systems are shut off. Once you double and triple-check check all systems are off, you can do a routine mechanical check. Here are a few points to look at to check that mounting points are secure. You should also inspect the mechanical seal, packing, pump flanges for leaks, and couplings. You should also clean any filers.
Calling in the experts to do the routine maintenance for you can help you save money, time, and ensure the longevity of your well water pump. An expert can find issues you may not be able to find on your own. They can also check if any parts need replacing or repairing. By doing this routine maintenance, your well water pump will last longer.
Signs of a Failing Well Water Pump
If you understand the signs of when something is off with your well water pump, can help you to know when to call the experts in. If you know what the signs are you can quickly call in someone to help repair and better explain the problem to them. Here are some of the signs to keep in mind.
No water – If you have no water that is an obvious sign that there is a problem. Before you call an expert, determine if it is a minor error. Check if the water pump is getting power. Make sure there isn’t a plumbing issue happening.
Fluctuating water pressure – While it may be easy to write off the water pressure fluctuating, it can be a sign that there’s a problem happening. It’s not the biggest sign that the water pump isn’t working, but you should definitely let a professional check just in case.
Spitting faucets – If you have air bubbles or sputtering water coming from your faucet. This could be a sign of a crack in the pipe. The pipe would be pulling in air instead of water. It could also be a sign that the well is running dry.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Well Water Pumps
Troubleshooting for your well water pump can help you determine when it is time to call in the professionals. Make sure your power is an easy one to check. If your power goes out, try to reset the breaker. Another easy troubleshooting technique is to check the water pressure switch. If you’re checking something you might turn it off and forget to turn it back on. It’s always good to double-check if it’s been switched off. Sometimes the switch needs replacing which is a simple fix, but an expert is recommended to come out. These can all help with troubleshooting your issue. If the problem persists, call in the experts.
Regular Maintenance Schedule for Well Water Pumps
Regular maintenance will help ensure that your well and well pump keep running and will check for any problems you might be experiencing. Maintenance for your well is recommended yearly, but for well water pumps it will depend on the manufacturer. Each type and manufacturer has their own recommendations. When you have your well checked annually, have them also check your well pump to save money and time. It’s always good to contact your local well professionals as they will have the best advice and experience to know what to look for.
Conclusion: Ensuring the Longevity of Your Well Water Pump
Your well water pump makes sure your home has the water it needs for you to be able to drink, bathe, and clean. Choosing the right one is based on what kind of well you have, what your needs are, and what features you want. You should also choose a trusted professional to do the installation. The three main types of well water pumps all fit specific needs, understanding your needs will be vital to knowing which pump will work for you. The longevity of your well water pump will be determined by how well your installation is done and keeping up with the routine maintenance. Make sure you always have well professionals from your area working on your well. They will have the expertise and know-how to fix issues that may arise from installation to maintenance.
