Repairing Guides

how to repair a deep well submersible pump

by Dr. Maudie Rutherford Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Fill a bucket with water and detergent. Submerge the water filter in the bucket with the solution. Shake the pump and filter rapidly through the solution to remove the debris. Use a brush to scrub the exterior and interior surfaces of the pump lightly.

Full Answer

What is submersible pump and how it works?

A submersible pump is a mechanical equipment that works by pushing the water toward the surface instead of pulling it. It has a hermetically sealed motor connected to the pump body that helps to push the fluid toward the surface. It is a most famous type of the centrifugal pump .

How to install submersible water pump by yourself?

How to Install Submersible Water Pump – Steps. Remove inlet and outlet Rubber Packing. After that Connect Blue bend to inlet. Connect Filter to Blue bend. Remove the lifting bolts and fill water, fix bolts. Firstly, Fix Hose Collar. secondly, Connect hose to the hose collar. Then, most importantly, Connect enough length wire and Rope to the ...

How to clean a submersible water pump?

Unclog And Clean A Well's Submersible Water Pump

  • flashlight
  • rubber gloves
  • screwdriver
  • bucket of water
  • detergent
  • bleach
  • thin scrub brush
  • rubbing alcohol
  • cloth
  • replacement filter

Are submersible pumps safe to operate?

Submersible pond pumps are designed specifically to be fully submerged in water. These days the vast majority of submersible pond pumps have an epoxy resin poured over all the electrical wires and connections. This keeps all the dangerous components completely isolated from the water, therefore making submersible pond pumps very safe.

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Can a submersible well pump be repaired?

The submersible pump must be removed from the well before it can be repaired. Remove the pump and associated piping from the well to repair a deep-well submersible pump. The pump is made up of a motor and an impeller. It may also have a check valve to prevent back-flow and a tail pipe attached below the pump.

What causes submersible pump to stop working?

The most common causes for submersible pump failure fall into five categories. These categories include temperature and overheating, hydraulic loading, motor seals, voltage supply and voltage spikes.

Can a well pump be rebuilt?

Generally speaking, well pump repairs will be less than a complete replacement. Of course, the nature of the problem will determine if it can be fixed. Minor problems with the motor or a small amount of hardware damage can usually be repaired.

How long should a submersible pump last?

The main factors affecting the longevity of your submersible well pump are: the water quality, the quality of pump selected, the competency of the installation and the quality of the power provided to the well pump motor. Industry averages show that submersible well pumps last, on average, about 7 years.

How do you troubleshoot a submersible well pump?

Troubleshooting Submersible Well Pumps 101: Pump Will Not StartCheck for blown fuses and tripped breakers.Check the Voltage. Voltage needs to be at +/- 10% of motor ratings. ... Check Pressure Switch. ... Check the Control Panel. ... Check Splice Connections. ... Check the Pump and Motor.

How do I know if my submersible well pump is bad?

How To Tell If Your Well Pump is Going Bad Decrease in Water Pressure. ... Air Spitting From the Faucet. ... Pumping Sand or Sediment. ... Water Quality Change. ... Water Pump Cycles On and Off Constantly. ... Loud or Unusual Noises. ... High Electric Bills.

How much does it cost to rebuild a well pump?

Well Pump Replacement Cost CalculatorNational Average$1,778Typical Range$940 - $2,619Low End - High End$200 - $5,000

How do you rebuild a well pump?

1:084:39How To Repair a Jet Pump - Shallow Well, Deep Well, ConvertibleYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemove the pump body bolts that hold the pump together along with the plastic lock washer on theMoreRemove the pump body bolts that hold the pump together along with the plastic lock washer on the outside of each bolt separate the pump head from the pump. Body. Note the position of the o-ring.

Can a well pump last 30 years?

Your well pump is an essential component to ensuring your home has a steady source of fresh, clean water. With proper well maintenance, your well pump can last, on average of 8 to 15 years, though many homeowners report their pumps lasting far longer, often between 20 and 30 years!

How long can a submersible well pump run continuously?

How Long Can A Well Pump Run Continuously? As mentioned, a quality high-quality starter kit sump pump can run up to 24 volt hours; a more mediocre one can run continuously for between 6 and 18 hours. cooling down the device at this long a time took a substantial amount of time.

Will submersible pump burn out?

A pump can also burn out from having the pump run dry. Submersible pumps require water to keep cool and maintain the proper operating temperature. If the water level drops below the impeller, the motor will overheat and burn out.

Can you replace your own well pump?

And there are special tools that contractors have to lift the pump from that kind of depth. Look at it this way: Even if you have someone else pull the well, you can do the repair/replace action on your own once it's out of the ground, and still save money. ;) My well was dug about 25 years ago.

How do you reset a submersible well pump?

Hold the reset lever in the start position until the pressure builds up and the gauge reads over 40 PSI; then let it return to the AUTO position. The pump should now run on its own and continue until the pressure reaches the cut out setting, (usually between 50 - 60 PSI), and then shut off.

How do you fix a water pump that is not pumping water?

Your Pump is running but there is no water coming outTurn power to pump off.Remove gauge with bushing or bladder tank from top of pump.Pour water into pump until water fills pump housing.Replace gauge and bushing or tank, TIGHTEN.Turn power on.Open faucet or hose bib at pump to bleed air from system.

How do you unclog a submersible pump?

Fill a bucket with water and add a small amount of detergent and bleach to it. Remove the filter from the water pump and submerge it and the pump in the cleaning solution. Move the filter and pump briskly through the water to loosen debris from each one.

How do I get rid of an airlock in my submersible pump?

0:341:46Water Pump Airlock Procedure - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf we need to release that air lock we need to take off the output hose. Which is very very simple.MoreIf we need to release that air lock we need to take off the output hose. Which is very very simple. We can simply pull down on the blue locking tab. And then and slide out your output hose.

How deep is a well pump?

Deep well pump. Repairing a deep well pump may prove to be a tricky job. This is because such pumps are usually found at a depth of 300 feet below ground level. If the pump fails to transfer water from the well to your house, you must try and repair any problems as soon as possible.

How to reset water pump in well?

Check it by inspecting the circuit breakers and wires connected to the pump. Reset the electricity by flipping the circuit breakers. If you notice that there is a burned out fuse, remove it and install a new one.

Why is my well not coming out?

If the water still does not come out of the well, inspect the wires and cables that run out of the fuse box down into the well. The cause of the problem may be a damaged wire. When you are sure that the problem is not related to electric power, check the water pump.

What causes a well pump to bring up mud?

Other problems include the pipe, the foot valve, and the strainer being clogged. If these parts are clogged, the deep well pump may bring up mud or sand instead of water. You may also find that the check valve is broken.

Why is my water pump not working?

If the water pump is not working, then the cause of the problem is probably related to the motor. You may also have a faulty starter switch. Replace the starter switch with a new one. Now turn off the power supply and clean the pressure switch using a piece of paper because it could be dirty or obstructed.

Why is my shower pump freezing?

On the other hand, if the place where you live is very arid, then the water may have dried to a point that the pump cannot reach it. Troubleshooting Problems with a Steam Shower Generator.

How deep is a well?

That depends entirely on your situation. Anecdotally, I have a friend with a well that's 15' deep, and a friend with a well where the pump sits 200' down. You should be able to find out how deep your well is by looking at the paperwork that came with your house.

How much does a 3/4 HP well pump weigh?

Then you can remove the "T" tool from the pitless adapter. The 3/4" HP pump that was currently in the hole weights about a total of 60 lbs when it is in water, meaning still deep inside the well tube.

How to make sure your bladder pump is off?

1. First you need to shut off the breaker to the pump. It would be best to make sure the pump is off by trying to run water. Remember that your bladder could still have water pressure in it. If water doesn't pass after 5 minutes, then you pump is off.

How long does it take for water to flow through a water pump?

If you do not have water after 5 minutes; shut off the breaker to the pump. This is not a problem, what you need to do is wait 5 minutes and allow the water that is being pumped up to settle into the pipe and force the air bubbles up. Then after 5 minutes or so, turn the breaker on and you should have good flowing water.

How to keep heat shrunk water pipes from moving?

Once heat shrunk, tape the wires to the pipe to keep them from moving freely in the pipe. Add a 1/8" stainless steel cable to the pump to make removal next time easier. To do this, you will need the amount of water pipe (100' in this example) plus an extra 10' to allow for loops and connection to a lift next time.

How to check if you have water in a bladder tank?

Before installing the cap, it is best to check to see if you have water. Connect a hose to the hose connection at the bladder tank, turn on, and shut off the water going to the house. Turn the breaker on to the pump. Your water should gurgle, this sound is what happens when air is being pushed around.

Can you remove a pitless adapter?

When the pitless adapter is secured, you will have not weight on the "T" tool, and it can be removed. Please do not push hard to make sure it is seated properly since this can damage the well casing.

How to check if a well pump is tripped?

Then check the well's double-pole circuit breaker to see that it hasn't tripped. If it has, reset it. A breaker that keeps tripping likely means a problem with the well pump, and you'll need to call a pro for that. Step 2.

What happens if a well pump switch is bad?

The switch then powers up the well pump. If the switch is bad, it won't start the well pump and you won't have water, so testing the switch is your first step. Remove the cover and bang a screwdriver handle sharply against the tube below the switch to jar the electrical contacts.

How to replace a pressure switch?

To replace the switch, start by removing the wires to the old switch and unscrew the switch. Pro tip: Be sure to label the wires!

What does it mean when a pump sparks?

If you see a spark and the pump starts, the pressure switch is the problem.

How do you know if you have a well?

The most common symptoms of well trouble are no water at all, pulsing water pressure and a well pump that runs constantly. If you experience any of these, there's a good chance you can solve the problem yourself.

What does the switch on a well pump do?

It's what senses when water pressure has dropped to the point where the pressure tank requires more water. The switch then powers up the well pump.

What does it mean when a pressure switch kicks on a well pump?

If banging on the tube under the pressure switch kicked on the well pump, it means the contact surfaces of the electrical contacts are pitted or burned, causing a poor connection. You can temporarily restore the surfaces to keep it going until you can buy a replacement switch.

How long does it take to replace a well pump?

That's basically it. If you know what's wrong, replacing a well pump can take as little as an hour plus the bleach time. Replacing the pressure tank should be another hour or so. For me, the biggest issue was diagnosing the problem.

What happens if you break a well pump?

This is where things get a little dicey. If you break your well pump off, it's going to fall into a very narrow hole. You're going to want someone to hold the rope for you. If you don't have a rope attached to your pump, put one on. They're very inexpensive but could save you thousands.

How long should a pump run?

Regardless of these tank pressure tests, you want your pump to run at least 1 minute if it the motor is under 1hp and 2 minutes if it is over 1hp. My tank was just fine but my motor only ran for 15-20 seconds to get a full pressure load. This is what lead to the premature failure.

Why does my well pump spin in reverse?

That said, well pumps sometimes have check valves. If it's bad, it won't close allowing water to drain through the impeller. This causes it to spin in reverse while it's off so the motor has to work extra hard to get the water moving in the correct direction. A bad check valve can also not allow water to move out of the pump causing excessive loads on the motor.

What is the arrow on a well pump?

This arrow lines up with a notch in the PVC. It points to where the pipe that feeds into your house connects to the well pipe. You'll need to line that up when you put your pump back in place.

How many amps should a 2 wire pump have?

On my 2-wire pump, I should have a constant 5 amps. Instead, I have a start of 20 amps and then it decreases to 16 amps before turning off. This means that my pump is working extra hard to move water which indicates a bad impeller, bearing, line blockage, or bad check valve.

How deep is a 10 gpm pump?

Pump depth is also important. The deeper the pump, the less effective it is at pumping water so a 10gpm pump at 200 ft. deep may only be pumping 8gpm. That isn't as big of a problem compared to when that same pump which is rated for 150 ft deep is only 20ft deep.

How to check if a submersible pump is working?

When the pump is working but it is not delivering the water the way it should, you should check the air lock and make sure it is not on. Be sure to check that the water level is not too low for the pump. Also check the discharge valve and make sure they are not installed backward on the pump. There could be because of the blockage in the pump intake screen or a leak in the drop pipe. Another thing you could be checking is the drop pipe to see if it is jamming the check valve of the submersible pump. Then you can need to check for worn and old parts, and last but not least, check the motor shaft to be sure it is not loose.

Why is it important to keep a submersible pump well maintained?

Everyone likes to have drinking water and water for other things, so it is important to keep the submersible pump well maintained. It will save you money in the long run. You can put these techniques to use as much as needed. It just might help you keep your submersible well pump running like a well-oiled machine. ×.

Why won't my well pump start?

If the submersible well pump won’t start, there could be one of three things wrong. The first could be that power is not being supplied to the pump. Second, check the overload protection by checking the circuit breakers and third, check if the pressure switch is damaged.

Why does my water pump keep turning on?

If the pump keeps turning on all the time, the first problem could be that the pressure switch may be defective or it is just not set up properly. The next problem could be that there could be a leak with the water level. You will also want to check the plumbing system to be sure it is not leaking.

Why is my well pump leaking?

This could be caused on the submersible well pump by the pressure switch. The drop line could have a leak or because of the low the water level in the well. It could also be some of the parts to the pump are damaged.

Can you fix a water pump that won't turn on?

If you can fix them yourself, you can save some money. Whether the pump just won’t deliver water, won’t stop running, won’t turn on, won’t start at all or it starts too much, these all have fairly easy fixes and can be done by you or a friend. Everyone likes to have drinking water and water for other things, so it is important to keep ...

How much does a submersible well pump weigh?

If your well is 100 feet (30 m) deep, the pump usually weighs around 100 pounds (45 kg). Deeper wells can have pumps that weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kg). If your pump is too heavy to lift by hand, you’ll need a truck with a crane to help you out.

How to open up a well pump?

Pry the well cap off the casing. To open up the pump area, use a 3⁄4 in (1.9 cm) socket and ratchet to take off the nuts on top of the casing. Then, slide a flathead screwdriver underneath the cap to slowly pry it off of the casing and open it up.

Why is my submersible pump not working?

Why has my pump stopped working? There are a number of reasons why your submersible pump might have stopped working, so it’s important to count out the easy fixes first. Check the wall switch to make sure it hasn’t been turned off first, then check the breaker to see if it’s been flipped. If neither of those things work, check the pressure switch on the pump itself.

What to do if your well is down a hole?

It may be that you have a short or a bad pump, or bad wires. Have an electrician check the starting capacitor and other connections. If down-hole, then pull the well and have pump tested and likely replaced.

How far down can you pull a well pump?

The local well driller can pull it for you, but that could cost big bucks. If your pump is less than 100 feet (30 m) down, you can probably pull it up by hand with some help from a friend. If it’s further down than that, you may need a pump pull machine to help you out.

Why are well pumps so low?

Usually, deep well pumps are situated so low because the water table is low. Although they are sometimes conflated, sump pumps are different from deep well submersible pumps. Sump pumps collect water from the sump basin, usually in the basement of a home.

How far away from a well should you shut off the pump?

Safety first: Always shut off the breaker to the pump before you start. Then, clear a 10 feet (3.0 m) radius around the opening of the well to make sure you don’t get caught in any vegetation or debris. Put on some non-slip gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself throughout the process.

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