Hi. Ive’ got a problem with my well pump. It was replaced about 5 years ago and I was not home to see the replacement . From what my wife has told me the well pump is submerged about 60 feet. I cant tell on the recpt what size the pump is. all I know is after seeing what a new submersable pump costs at the depot or lowes and what I paid 5 years ago, I will do this myself. Some more info. my water pressure is lower than normal after a short peroid of time and I checked the water pressure at the pressure tank and it’s about 30 psi when not being used and 10 psi when a faucet is on. thanks, John
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Doesn't sound right to me. The pressure switch
should most likely keep the pump running until
the tank pressure is more like 50 or 60 PSI.
Then you draw down from the tank until pressure
is 30 or 40 PSI and the pump starts again.
Before you replace the pump, check the pressure in
the tank bladder with a tire gauge. Should be the
same as the cutoff presure of the switch. Also check
the switch. It should not turn off before the high pressure
is reached. Should be stamped somewhere on the switch.
You may just need a new tank or switch. Pumps should last
a lot longer than 5 years. It is not really a DIY job
to replace them.
So you only have bad pressure and flow after you've been demanding water for a few minutes?
If that's the case it is very likely the pump has gone bad. However before purchasing a replacement the existing one should be pulled out of the well and inspect for blockages at the inlets such as lime build up. It just may need to be cleaned. I agree with Bob it's not much of a DIY job you could easily screw up the... we call'em pitless (sp?). (where the water goes through the well casing to the house)
I had a similar problem as you are describing, checked everything I could and eventually called the local well guy to come out. The problem was too large a pump (3/4 hp when 1/2 was plenty, set at 120', 10 gpm) and a very small pressure tank. The pump was about 6 years old. Burned out the starter beacuse it cycled to often. When the problem became noticible, the pump would start and run for a short while and rip and restart, continuously. I had a new, smaller pump installed, and put in an 82 gallon tant to replace the 35 gallon tank that was there.
A good submersible well pump will cost $350-$450 retail, regardless of what Lowe's or HD charges. Red jacket, unfortunately, is no longer available, but Teel is a good brand. Pulling 60' of pipe (or more) out of your well, replacing and resetting a pump is not DIY territory. Your milage may vary.
I would ask the one that installed the existing pump to have a look. Have them explain why a $??? pump lasted only 5 years, if the oump is the problem. (A decent pump in a properly set up system should last 10 years minimum) or find what the problem is. Have you (or any one else) modified the system? Is it set up correctly? Find out what size the pump motor is and what size you really need. Ditto on the tank.