How do I Replace a Well Pump?
Most homeowners in large cities or towns never have to worry about wells or well pumps, but people who live in rural areas often only have well water access. To allow for well water flow to the home's indoor water facilities, a functioning water pump is needed. Although most well pumps can last for a couple of decades if well maintained, they will eventually need to be replaced when they completely fail. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Flip the breaker that powers the well to its off position at your power panel. This will cut all power to the pump, preventing you from getting shocked.
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2
Open the well cap by loosening the hex nut that holds it in place. Use the appropriately sized wrench to remove the hex nut.
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3
Pull the well pump from the well housing. The well pump looks like a large car alternator. In shallow wells, you can usually pull the pump up by hand, but deep wells of 100 feet or more may require the help of a winch to pull it close enough to grab.
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4
Disconnect the pump power wires. On most pumps, there are only two wires: a positive and a negative ground wire.
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5
Unfasten the old pump's discharge pipe, tube or hose. In most cases this will be a large, flexible hose that attaches to the top of the pump and goes to the water distribution tank. Use your screwdriver and wrench to remove the screws and bolts that hold the hose in place.
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Take the pump with you to the building supply store and have the sales agent help you choose a water pump that is appropriate for your conditions. This will depend on how the well is used, how much water pressure you need, and the climate conditions in your area. A deeper well will need a high-powered water pump, while a shallow well does not need a pump with as much horse power. When selecting the water pump, check the GPM, or gallons per minute, rating to make sure you get the flow rate you want.
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Follow the pump's instructional manual to install the new pump. If you live in a climate where freezing weather is a concern, be sure to follow frost line recommendations. Reattach the discharge pipe and hose and connect the power cord to a power outlet or rewire the power wires in their appropriate color combination and power voltage needs. Wrap exposed wiring with electrical tape. A quality well pump will have easy wiring instructions, but low quality pumps often come with more complicated wiring instructions. Follow the diagram located in the instructional manual for the new pump.
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Add a cup of bleach to sanitize the well before closing the well cap. Go back to the well breaker and flip the power to the pump back on. Turn on the water and allow it to run for a few minutes to remove air from the line.
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References
- Photo Credit water splash - bottle and water in a moment image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
