| Replacing a submersible well pump is not a | | | | will be getting an idea of how heavy the |
| complicated task and relatively simple if you | | | | whole assembly is of which you have to lift |
| understand the basics about a well system - | | | | out of the well. |
| like the placement of the pump, how the | | | | |
| submersible pump operates and how it is | | | | Now you are ready to lift the pump. Rubber |
| installed in a well casing. An advanced do it | | | | gloves, protective clothing or coveralls |
| yourselfer with knowledge of electrical | | | | should be worn as the pump piping may have an |
| wiring and some basic plumbing skills is | | | | iron and silt residue on the exterior and can |
| probably capable of replacing a submersible | | | | be quite a messy job. Fasten a pull rope |
| irrigation pump. This is not a step by step | | | | around the top of the well head for the other |
| installation guide but rather an overview for | | | | person to hold on and tie off if needed. Some |
| a general understanding to evaluate whether | | | | wells may have a leader rope or cable already |
| to do it yourself or hire a contractor. The | | | | attached from original installation instead |
| savings on the cost of labor, if you do it | | | | of relying on the discharge hose clamps and |
| yourself, will be about 50 - 60% of the total | | | | connection. The person who will do the actual |
| price of a contractor doing the job. The | | | | pulling should stand directly above the well |
| first factor in deciding whether to attempt | | | | to lift the discharge piping straight out of |
| doing it yourself is how deep the well is and | | | | the casing and the other person should stay |
| do you have a large enough lay down area to | | | | with the top end of well cap and guide it to |
| layout the pipe in your yard once you start | | | | where you lay it down as you pull. Make sure |
| pulling it out of the casing. If your well is | | | | that the person guiding the end has a good |
| 50' to 150' deep, I would recommend doing it | | | | grip on the end before you release to get |
| yourself if you are physically capable to | | | | another grip. Continue until pump assembly is |
| continuously lift and pull about 40 to 70 | | | | fully out of the casing and wash off the |
| pounds of weight and hold it in place for | | | | entire pump end so you read the specification |
| during the complete removal of pump to keep | | | | tag of the pump. |
| from dropping it back into the well. To do | | | | |
| this you will need at least one other person | | | | Collect the information from the old pump - |
| to help you pull out the pump and guide the | | | | brand, model, HP, voltage, phase, 110/220, |
| discharge pipe away from the well as you are | | | | rpm, 2 or 3 wire configuration, continuous |
| lifting it out. | | | | duty and the pumps outlet size and discharge |
| | | | pipe size. Most residential submersible pumps |
| The well casing in made of steel, iron or PVC | | | | are either 2 wire or 3 wire configuration. |
| pipe usually 3"or 4" inside diameter and this | | | | The 2 wire type has 2 - 110v wires along with |
| acts as a sleeve in which the pump housing, | | | | a case ground to pump housing. The 2 wire |
| discharge pipe and wiring go down to reach | | | | pump needs no controls. If it is a 3 wire |
| the water level within this pipe casing. | | | | pump you should replace the controls also. |
| Attached to the submersible pump is the | | | | |
| discharge pipe, usually 1" to 1- ¼" | | | | Most submersible pump are two piece units |
| flexible poly pipe and the electrical wiring | | | | bolted together to be one assembly and |
| which also runs into this casing to the depth | | | | consists of the motor and the pump. You can |
| of submersible pump in the well. The deeper | | | | just replace the motor or pump if you choose, |
| the well, the heavier and more difficult it | | | | but I would highly suggest that you replace |
| is to lift out. The weight of the pump | | | | the whole assembly. After you have identified |
| assembly may require some rigging above the | | | | what type and size pump you have you may want |
| well casing to help lift and hold the pump | | | | to decide to upgrade your system with a |
| assembly in place so it doesn't slip and drop | | | | higher volume pump of keep the same |
| back down into the well casing as you are | | | | configuration. For upgrading, you should |
| pulling it out. Once you start pulling up of | | | | contact a supplier or well contractor for |
| the pump you must continue the motion until | | | | recommendations to be compatible with your |
| it is fully out of the casing. If you are | | | | needs and piping sizes to which your pump |
| doing this manually attach a rope beforehand | | | | feeds. |
| to the top end of well cap so the other | | | | |
| person can easier hold on to it and tie it | | | | Installing the new pump assembly. Make an |
| off to something - a tree or fence, in | | | | itemized list of new parts, controls, |
| between lifts if you need to take a break and | | | | fittings or wiring as needed. If the existing |
| stop lifting. | | | | wiring and flex pipe are in good condition |
| | | | there is no need to replace them. To install |
| If you decide to replace the well pump | | | | the new pump you will have to splice the |
| yourself, here are some tips to remember. | | | | electric wires together in a waterproof |
| Determine that the pump motor is bad by | | | | connection. Consult an electrician or well |
| checking circuit breakers, switches and check | | | | contractor to specify the power wire splice |
| that power is at the well head. If power is | | | | connector type and technique acceptable for |
| on at well head it is a good sign that the | | | | well applications. Connect the pipe fittings |
| pump is broke. Turn off the power at the | | | | and pipe clamps as directed in the |
| breaker panel, tag and lock it out for safety | | | | manufacturer's instructions. Tape the power |
| before you start exposing the well head. | | | | wires about every 2' for the entire length to |
| Clear the area around the well head, approx | | | | the flex pipe for ease in reinstallation of |
| 6' to 8' diameter, of shrubs and plants so | | | | pump into casing. Turn the power to the pump |
| you have enough room to expose the pump | | | | on momentarily to check if it is working |
| outlet and electrical connections. Disconnect | | | | before inserting assembly into well. Turn the |
| the discharge pipe and undo the wiring at the | | | | power breaker off and prepare to insert the |
| junction box near the top of the well. Loosen | | | | pump back into the well again using 2 people |
| the bolts on top of the casing cover, this is | | | | - one at the well opening lowering and |
| a squeeze type of cover with a thick rubber | | | | feeding the pump down and the other person at |
| ring that expands as tightened and contracts | | | | the well head cover feeding the slack to you |
| as loosened against the casing interior. Once | | | | and to help hold back to prevent the pump |
| loose, try to lift the cover, as you lift you | | | | from dropping quickly down the casing. |