Well Pump Repair Guide
Anatomy Of A Well
Before we can troubleshoot what's wrong with our well pump, we have to have a good idea of how it works. The illustration here shows the whole story of how ground water is harness by a well pump.
The pump pushes the water from the well into a storage tank. The water sits there until you need it. Pumping water into the pressure tank will cause the air pressure inside to increase. When it hits a specific preset level, it will stop drawing water from the well. When you open a faucet in your house, the pressure inside the tank pushes the water towards the opened faucet. Because the pressure on the tank will be reduced, the pump will turn back on again and draw water from the well to the pressure tank.
When it comes to pumps, there are three common types to choose from:
Centrifugal Pumps - These pumps rotate in an internal fan to create suction. It sits in a mechanical housing next to the well instead of being inside of it like the other two types. This makes it easier for centrifugal pumps to be serviced. Because of its design though, the suction it provides is not powerful enough to draw water from deep wells. This pump would only be viable if the well is shallower than 25 feet.
Submersible Pumps- These are the most prevalent type because of its flexibility. As the name suggests, these pumps are installed inside the well and submerged underwater. Because of this design, it can be used on virtually any well no matter how deep or shallow it is so long as the pump is fully submerged. On the other hand, because of its submersed design, servicing these pumps would more often than not involve the help of well pump repair pros.
Jet Pumps - Arguably the most sophisticated type of the bunch, these pumps provides the most power. Like submersible pumps, jet pumps can also work in wells of any depth. There are two models when it comes to jet pumps. Single drop models are those used for shallow wells while double drop models are used for deeper ones. Double drop models need to have the motor assembly be above ground while the jet assembly is in the well.
Troubleshooting A Water Well Pump
Here's what you need to do when your motor does not start at all.
The great thing about this tutorial is that it starts from the basics. It makes sure that we do not overlook the simple stuff. Nobody wants to spend a lot of time tinkering with the pump itself only to find out that the breaker tripped for some reason hence the lack of power to the motor.
Well Pump Tips & Tricks
If you want more general tips for your well pumps, this video is for you. This focuses on tips that have not been beaten to death but makes a lot of sense. For instance, the first one is about taking a permanent marker and making sure you write the model number of your pump, the depth it was installed in, and the date it was installed in the control box. This keeps those important information handy when needed.
No Water Or Low Pressure Troubleshooting
While this video is about no water and low pressure troubleshooting, it is also a treasure trove for various information about well pumps. Our expert provides different insights regarding materials used for different types of pumps. They also went on a tangent about the lifespan of different motor brands, good information for those looking for a replacement motor or a new one.
There will be times when you would need to call in the pros. If you are in an area on that map, go ahead and contact the most trusted well pump repair experts in the location.