Give your wonky well pump the ol’ heave-ho
You’ve cleared your pipes of clogs and adjusted your water tank pressure, and you’re still struggling with trickles from the tap. If your water supply comes from a well, persistent problems with low water pressure are a sign you may need a new well pump. Replacing a well pump means getting it out of the ground, which may sound strenuous. However, with a little DIY grit and determination, and the help of one or two strong friends, this is a task you can do. Discover all you need to know about how to pull a well pump.
There are a couple of things to know about your well pump before you get to the task of pulling it from your well. The type of well pump you have often depends on the depth of your well, and knowing how far you’ve got to go is a good prep step.
Well pumps are submersible, meaning they’re specifically designed to operate submerged in water at the bottom of the well. Most pumps are situated between 50 to 300 feet deep. A pump’s weight also correlates to its depth—shallow pumps often weigh up to 100 pounds, while deeper pumps weigh up to 300 pounds. While it’s entirely possible to pull a well pump using muscle power, heavy pumps will require a truck with a hoist or a motorized well pump puller to lift.
If you’re pulling your well pump by hand, keep in mind it’s heavy work, so it’s important to be safe. Clear any debris and get rid of any tall grass or vegetation in an area of at least 10 feet around your well to avoid trips and falls. Also, wear the proper safety equipment such as non-slip gloves, safety goggles, steel-toe work boots, and thick pants to protect yourself.
Before you do anything, switch off the power to the pump at the circuit breaker. Electrical wiring leads down to and is attached to the well pump, so it’s critical you kill the power first to avoid electric shocks. Usually, the circuit breaker is found in a covered box next to the pump or on your home’s main electrical panel.
On your well cap head, you’ll see three or four bolts. With a 3/4-inch socket and ratchet, loosen the nuts and bolts and remove them. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry open the cap from the well and set it aside. If you find the well cap is hard to pry off, you may need to knock it gently with a medium-sized hammer. You’ll need the cap later, so don’t lose it.
Shine your flashlight down into the well to look for a pipe with a T-fitting. This is known as the pitless adapter. You will attach the T-handle pump removal tool to the pitless adapter, which is attached to a long pipe connected to the well pump. The idea is to line up the threads at the end of the T-handle pump removal tool with the pipe fitting, as you’ll be using the pipe to pull up the well pump.
Insert the T-handle pump removal tool into the well and line it up with the pitless adapter. Thread the tool into the pipe, turning it clockwise to connect. The fit should be snug and secure—you should be able to gauge the tension or the grab of the threads by turning the tool slowly. If it’s loose or turns too easily, you haven’t connected the tool with the pipe. It may take a few tries—patience is key.
If you have a considerably deep well, it’s a good idea to attach a safety rope. The rope will act as a failsafe in case you accidentally drop the well pump while you’re lifting it.
Well pump experts recommend you use a 3/8-inch diameter polypropylene safety rope. This type of rope has a tensile strength greater than 2,700 pounds and a safe working load of 200 pounds.
To attach, tie the rope around the pipe at the base of the T-handle pump removal tool, and secure it with a tight knot. Leave the other end of the rope out of the well, so you or your helper can keep hold as you lift the pump.
Once everything is secure, you’re ready to lift.
Have one person stand directly over the well, straddling each side, and—with a firm grip on the T-handle—pull the pump straight up out of its casing. If it’s a heavy pump, you may need two people to lift on each side of the handle.
As you pull up the pump, have another person hold the pump assembly and make sure no kinks or twists form in the water line as you go, as this may rip the line. It’s easier to walk backward as you take the line holding the pump out of the well. Once the well pump is out, be sure to cover the well hole to prevent any falling debris from getting in.
It’s a good idea to clean the well pump because it will be dirty with mud and sediment once you’ve pulled it out. A thorough cleaning will help reveal any possible damage. Use a garden hose to rinse off exterior dirt and grime, then use a water-vinegar solution and a scrub brush to clean components like the pump screen.
Pulling a well pump is heavy, dirty, sweaty work, but with the right tools and muscle power, It’s a DIY task that can save your wallet. But if you’d feel more comfortable knowing the task is in the hands of an expert, it’s best to leave it to your local well pump contractor. Depending on the scale of the job, including well depth and pump size and weight, labor costs vary between $250 and $1,000.
The average cost of a well pump replacement is around $1,835. Although it may seem expensive, it’s a necessary expense if your only water source comes from a well. Thankfully, the average lifespan of a well pump is 15 to 25 years, so it’s likely you’ll only have to pay for a new well pump installation once.
But, you may discover once you’ve pulled your pump that it needs repairing instead of replacing. Depending on the parts you need and labor fees from a well pump repair company to fix it, common well pump repair costs vary widely, from $350 to $1,535.
There are a couple of ways you can determine the depth of your well. One method is to use a device called a well sounder. This tool has a long measuring tape containing a sensor to alert you once the end reaches the water.
Or you can DIY it by using a long tape measure with a half-filled bottle of water attached to it. Lower the tape measure into your well. Once you feel tension on the tape, you’ll know the bottle has reached your static water level. This will give you an approximate idea of your well’s depth.
If your well pump gets stuck in its casing, you may be able to free it loose by gently wiggling the line or by vibrations from tapping the line with a hammer. However, if your pump is stuck in a buildup of minerals around the casing, you’ll probably have to call in a well pump contractor to get it out. They’ll likely use a muriatic acid solution—a strong, corrosive acid—to break down the minerals and free the pump loose.
To avoid a stuck pump in the future, experts recommend a professional well cleaning once every 10 years.
