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November 27, 2021

How to Install and Maintain a Water Well Pump

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Knowing how to install and maintain a water well pump can come in handy. However, if you have zero to limited plumbing experience, it's best to leave the installation of your water well pump to the experts. Even if you don't do it yourself, understanding the process can help you stay on top of an installation project on your property.

This guide also shares a few simple maintenance tips to help extend the service life of your water well pump. The tips also tell you when it's time to call the plumber for service. This information assumes your water well is ready for the well pump installation.

Preparing the Well

Prior to the installation of the pump, the water well needs to be clear of any sand, grit and dirt. The water should be clear if the drillers flushed the well properly for you.

Lowering the Pipes

Using a scaffolding or derrick on top of the well, lower the pipe into place carefully. For a shallow well pump, the first section of the pipe with the foot valve goes in first. Then, attach more pipes to the first one and continue to lower more pipes until they reach the ideal operating depth. Lowering deep well pipes has a similar process with the addition of a few more components, including a jet assembly and tail pipe.

Connecting the Pump

After lowering the pipes, sealing the well casing with a well seal is the next step. The well seal supports the weight of the pipes and keeps unwanted materials from going into the well. Once the well seal is in place, connect the suction pipe and the well drive pipe to the pump.

Getting the Pump Ready

At this stage, connect the pump to an available power outlet and put ground lines in place. The pump should then be primed by filling the pump housing and the pipe with water. This is an important part of the installation process, as it's always a bad idea to run the pump dry. The water should be flowing freely and without a problem five minutes after turning on the pump. Once the water flows clear, the pump is ready for service.

Maintenance Considerations

One thing you should keep in mind is you should never try to service the pump yourself if you lack plumbing skills and experience. However, there are a few things you can actually do as maintenance for your water well pump.

1. Keep the area around it clear of any dangerous chemicals, such as motor oils, paint, fertilizer and pesticides.

2. Always make sure the well cap on top of the casing is in good condition.

3. Keep any future structures a good distance away from your well.

4. Don't put a hose inside a container with liquid because doing so might contaminate your well.

5. Make sure the top of your well sits and remains 16 inches above the ground when you're making renovations or landscaping.

6. When your pump or well requires servicing, always hire only professionals with the proper certifications and licenses.

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