How to Install a Water Well Pump

Submersible Pump Assembly

Installing or replacing a submersible water well pump is not a difficult undertaking for the motivated do-it-yourselfer. Installing the pump yourself will save 50 to 60 percent of the cost of having a plumbing contractor do the job. The first consideration in deciding whether to attempt the pump installation yourself is the depth of the well. If the well is greater than 150 feet deep, it is advisable to offer the job to a plumbing professional.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench (sized for hex nut)
• Winch (for well deeper than 100 feet)
• Submersible pump assembly Kit
• Bleach

Instructions

1. 

   Open the cap covering the well. The well cap is held in place by one hex nut. Use the appropriate socket wrench to remove the hex nut.

2. Remove the old pump from the well casing. For wells up to 100 feet deep, you may be able to remove the old pump by hand. For deeper wells, a winch will be needed.

3. 

   Locate the discharge line attached to the top of the pump. The discharge line continues through a pitless adapter casing below the frost line to the water tank in the house. Detach the line from the old pump.

4. Ensure the new replacement pump has sufficient power for conditions. For deeper wells, higher-powered pumps will be necessary to achieve the appropriate flow rate. Proper flow rate is indicated by the gallons per minute (GPM) rating on the pump.

5. Install the new pump according to the installation instructions provided in the pump assembly kit. Pay particular attention to frost line recommendations. Once the pump assembly has been connected to the discharge line, it is now time to prepare to lower the new pump into the well casing.

6. Pour approximately 1 cup of household bleach into the well to clean and sanitize. Lower the new pump slowly into place in the well casing. For a deep well, use a winch. Replace the well cap, and tighten the hex nut.

References

• Do It Yourself Pumps
• Water Well Helpline