How to Remove a Submersible Well Pump

Submersible well pumps supply water to your home.

Submersible well pumps reside deep in your drilled water well. When a submersible pump ceases to function properly, you will need to remove the pump from the well. During the process of removing the pump, you will be removing the water line from the well casing. The combined weight of the submersible pump and up to 500 feet of pipe is heavy. You may require additional help when pulling the pump from the well casing.

Things You'll Need

• Socket set
• 3/8 inch ratchet handle
• Regular screwdriver
• Tee-handle pump removal tool
• Electrical tape
• Assistant
• 1/4 inch nylon rope

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Instructions

1. Turn off the breaker supplying power to the submersible pump.

2. Remove the well cap. Match a socket from a socket set that matches the bolts holding the well cap on top of the well casing. Attach the socket to a 3/8 inch ratchet handle. Turn each bolt counterclockwise to remove the bolts from the well cap. Slide the tip of a regular screwdriver between the bottom of the well cap and the top of the well casing. Twist the screwdriver handle to free the well cap. Pull the well cap away from the well casing.

3. Loosen the pitless adapter. Slide the tee-handle pump removal tool into the well casing. Turn the tee-handle clockwise to thread the end of the tool onto the pitiless adapter. Wrap electrical tape around the tee-handle shaft to mark the height of the pitless adapter. Lift the tee-handle pump removal tool with the help of an assistant to separate the pitless adapter. Pull the tee-handle and the waterline from the top of the well casing.

4. Tie a 1/4 inch nylon rope to the waterline with a secure knot.

5. Pull the waterline out of the well casing until the submersible pump pulls from the top of the well casing.

Tips & Warnings

• Always turn off the power to the pump before removing a submersible pump.

References

• Electrician's Paradise: How to Pull a Submersible Pump
• Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs: Pitless Adapter for Submersible Pumps (Page 4)

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish