Well Pumps Installation

All About Well Pumps - Installation Tips for New Systems and Replacements

A well pump system has a vital role to play in your home. It will bring fresh water from the well, across your property and into the pressure tank where it is stored. The system requires proper equipment, as well as safe and effective wiring and plumbing. Although all well pumps have the same function and essentially the same placement, there are different types of well pumps and installation methods differ slightly; nevertheless, the basic steps are the same.

Tips on Well Pumps Installation

Preparation is key to a successful set up. For both new systems and replacement pumps, it is important to clean out the well of any debris, as best possible, including the removal of fine sand. The well water should be sanitized before the pump is installed.

Read the product manual; it will provide you with the guidelines for conduit, pipe and grounding, as well as pump assembly instructions and the limitations with regard to depth and distance.

The well's water level is a determining factor in choosing a well pump, since it will dictate not only the type to use, but also the appropriate size. Note that the water must be high enough to adequately cool the pump's motor on submersible types.

Well pumps can be remarkably heavy. Use of a vehicle or other type of equipment to lower the assembled pump into the well is advisable. Take proper safety precautions. Wells with a depth of more than 300 feet should be handled and serviced by an experienced professional.

Although a replacement well pump's installation may be attempted by the homeowner, a new well system should be installed by a trained technician. The replacement of any electrical wiring is best left to a certified electrician.

Tips on the Electrical Work

Wiring is a key element in the installation of well pumps; all electrical work must adhere to local electrical codes (NEC or CEC) and should be done by a professional in order to ensure optimum safety.

• In colder climates, the electrical system needs to be buried approximately 48" underground and will run from the top of the well into the pump control box, which is connected to the pressure tank.
• Waterproof splicing kits can be used to make the final connections, but all of the wiring should be installed before the pump is lowered into the well.

• The well pump needs to be tested once installation is complete. Operation may be subject to the water level - if the pump does not work during the test, it is best to wait for a static water level.

Because well pumps differ in design, they also differ in their method of installation. Submersible well pumps sit on the bottom of the well, usually on a cinder block or some bricks, while jet well pumps, which are equipped with a foot valve that is submersed in the water to prime the jet pump, are located closer to the opening of the well.

Well pumps installation needs to be done properly in order to ensure efficient operation. Whether a new system is being put in or an aged pump is being replaced, proper installation is an essential element.