Well Pump Installation - Well Pump Centre

A well pump installation is inevitable for some reasons – when it is time to replace an old or a faulty one, or during first time installation. You have to replace or install a new well pump if any of these is apparent:

Unusual noise
Dirty water
A characteristic spitting sound from the faucet
Huge electric bills

Any well pump installation expert will attest to the fact that well pumps are complex pieces of equipment and only trained professionals can handle them correctly.

Shallow Well Pump Installation

The shallow well can be a great investment and addition to any household. However, it requires regular maintenance. If necessary it may have to be replaced after some years.

The installation of a shallow well pump just like any other well installation or maintenance, requires some level of skill and experience. This is the only sure way of avoiding pump damage or contamination of the well water. A good way to avoid unnecessary replacement costs is by investing in a high-quality pump which will guarantee uninterrupted service for many years.

Installation Procedure

Required

Shallow well pump
Suction pipe
Pressure tank
Pipe cutter
Wrenches
Glue
Sealing tape
Extra PVC pipe
Winch
Matching pipe fittings

Steps

Check out the well and ensure it is clean and free from dirt. The outflowing water should be clean.
With the foot valve attached to the pipe, lower the pipe with the winch into the shallow well. The foot valve should be first to go down.
To further push the submerged foot valve and pipe to required depth, attach another pipe. Repeat the process until proper depth is attained.
Use the well seal to seal the well.
Take the suction pipe and connect it to the pump.
Ensure the pump is ready for connection to the power.
Connect it to the power supply and ensure the power supply is well grounded.
Prime the pump and pump the water. Be cautious not to run the pump dry.
Check out the connections at least twice and ensure the pipes have been connected tightly.
Allow the water to run for at least five minutes and check whether the water is clear. If it is not clear, disconnect the power and check out the connections. If the running water is clear then it means the system is ready for use.

The installation of the shallow well pump becomes a breeze through experience. You can either hire a professional to do the job or do it yourself. Even if you do not want to it yourself, it will save a lot of money and time if you buy the pipe and other vital materials before contacting a professional. Once installed, conduct regular checks on the well’s equipment and quality of water.

Deep Well Pump Installation

The installation of a deep well pump will follow the same procedure irrespective of depth – say for a 500 feet well and 50 feet well. The only difference will be pipe quality. Deeper wells require stronger and in most cases galvanized pipes.

Installation Procedure

Required

Recommended submersible pump
Propane torch
Pump control box compatible with pump’s horsepower
Crimp connectors
Heat-shrink connectors
A 3/8 inch safety rope
Plastic cable ties
Wire cutters or pliers
1 quarter inch galvanized or plastic pipe
1 quarter inch metal to plastic fitting

It all Begins with Procuring the Right Pump

Ensure the well casing diameter is sufficient for a 4-inch submersible pump.
The capacity of the well pump will be determined by the depth of the well and the distance between the well and the house. To measure how deep the well is, tie a heavy weight to a string and drop it into the well. Once it hits the bottom mark the string at ground level and measure it.
Minus 10 feet from the well depth and search for pumps recommended for your depth. By doing this you keep the pump free of sediments present at the bottom of the well.
If the water is to be pumped uphill or over a wide distance, then a bigger pump is required. If necessary ask an expert for advice.
Once the correct pump has been identified, it is time to purchase a pump control box that has the right rating for the pump.

Installing the Pump

Pump installation will only begin after pump and pipe has been assembled. It also follows electrical hookup. All these should be done correctly before the pump is setup.

Ensure you have your safety rope in place. This is your only insurance against pump loss down the well.
You may need assistance from three or four people; with one guiding the pump down the well and other persons ensuring the pipe is steady as they feed it into the well casing.
Deep wells that need galvanized pipes require a tripod that supports a block and tackle. This will help stabilize the heavy pipe. A tripod can be built by following some simple steps.
The block and tackle is used to lower the pipe assembly into the well. As each section is assembled, you hold the block and tackle.
Lower the pump into the well and ensure it is at least 10 feet above the bottom of the well. This will prevent pump clogging and burn out.
On top of your well, the discharge pipe above the well seal should be connected to the pipe. If using one, connect it to the preinstalled pitless adapter.
Every part of the pumping system should also be setup correctly at the pump house.

A Final Word

To ensure you install the well pump correctly, read and understand the instruction manual. Never disregard any information that comes with your pump and its essential components. By adhering to the recommended procedure you are guaranteed of a seamless and uninterrupted lifetime operation with minimal repairs or failures. The motor and pump should be handled with care so as to avoid any distortion. The initial measurements and alignments should also be recorded to act as a point of reference in future. The pump alignment to driver should also be checked several times prior to a purchase, on delivery and before installation.