Well pump - longevity, sizing, and cost to replace

[masraum]

I'm sure that the cost of replacement varies greatly depending upon location, depth of well, etc... Unfortunately, we don't know ANYTHING about our well. the PO couldn't tell us anything about it when we bought. I've reached out to the folks in the county to see if they can tell us.

I assume that we have a submersible pump (vs a jet pump). I have absolutely no idea how deep our well is, but there's a web page that shows a bunch of wells in my county, and the 5-6 closest to us range anywhere from 100' up to 357'. I would assume, ours would be in the 100-200' range, but have no real reason to assume that. We are in a "low-ish" spot and have a creek/stream that runs through our property (we have a small pond [25x40x6], and the only time the stream "runs" is if we get a lot of rain in a short amount of time).

How long do submersible pumps last? 10 years, 20 years, ???

It looks like there are a couple of submersible pumps available at Tractor Supply for just over $500. I assume getting a pump through an installer will end up costing more for the pump and then of course, there's the installation. I assume the installer would end up charging $700-900 for the pump plus installation.


We've been here 5 years. I think the PO owned the place at least 5 years. So the current pump is probably at least 10 years old, maybe more. I'd hate to have the foot valve replaced and then end up calling the guy in a few months or a year to come back out and pull the damn thing up again. It seems like it would make more sense to replace the pump now if they've got to replace the foot valve anyway.

[rfuerst911sc]

How long they last has variables , like grit/sand in the water . Also lightning strikes . Just two examples . Rough guess is 15 - 20 years .

I would call a pro and get it done . You ever pulled 200 ' of pipe vertically ? Enough said . They will warranty their pump and install .

Be there when they do the work . You will learn exactly how deep it is and any other info the dude tells you . If your pump is still good you can replace the siphon valve and keep it as a spare .

[ben parrish]

Had them last 40 plus years… many variables. Just a thought, if your siphon valve is actually bad, could you just not add another one way valve at the top of the head coming out of the well? Might be a way to eliminate having to pull that pump that could be perfectly functioning for many more years.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

How long they last has variables , like grit/sand in the water . Also lightning strikes . Just two examples . Rough guess is 15 - 20 years .

I would call a pro and get it done . You ever pulled 200 ' of pipe vertically ? Enough said . They will warranty their pump and install .

Be there when they do the work . You will learn exactly how deep it is and any other info the dude tells you . If your pump is still good you can replace the siphon valve and keep it as a spare .

I am ABSOLUTELY not considering doing the work myself. The last time I called them, we had a crack in the pipe just outside of the well cap. Even my plumber that I use when it's something that I don't have the time or don't want to deal with said "it would be better for you to call a well guy in case they need to pull the pump". They came out with a truck that had what was basically a small crane on the back. This seems like one of those things that you could screw up in such a way that you'd end up doubling the cost.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ben parrish

Had them last 40 plus years… many variables. Just a thought, if your siphon valve is actually bad, could you just not add another one way valve at the top of the head coming out of the well? Might be a way to eliminate having to pull that pump that could be perfectly functioning for many more years.

I have no idea.

[Evans, Marv]

The company that did my well installed a Goulds submersible pump sixteen years ago. That's the only make they would use. The pump is at 460 ft. and the tank is another 25 ft. I thought the pump was a 2 hp., but I'm not sure without digginig out the manual. My neighbor acorss the street replaced his pump at about 25 years.

[greglepore]

Figure around 2500 plus or minus. Usually they'll recommend replacing the wire "while in there" and that can add 500 bucks depending. I usually pass on that. I'd only use a Goulds or other known brand, not tractor supply.
I had a well guy out recently. We got to talking about pressure tanks. He told me that the EPA changed the regs on what could be used in bladders and they've had a run of the expensive Welltrol's failing in half the normal time...obviously not your current issue.

[Bugsinrugs]

I had to replace my well pump a couple years ago. Two guys to pull up the old and a new pump was just below 2 grand. The old pump was original from when the well was drilled. Lasted almost 30 years.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

The company that did my well installed a Goulds submersible pump sixteen years ago. That's the only make they would use.

Originally Posted by greglepore

I'd only use a Goulds or other known brand, not tractor supply.

Goulds is a good one, good to know. I would not have used what was at Tractor Supply. I just remembered seeing them there and wondered what they cost to give me an idea.

$2,500, not surprising.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

I had to replace my well pump a couple years ago. Two guys to pull up the old and a new pump was just below 2 grand. The old pump was original from when the well was drilled. Lasted almost 30 years.

Good to know, thank you!

[SpyderMike]

Just had ours done last year. It still worked for the most part after 30+ years in service. 190 feet down. Cost was around $3k all in with a few added extras.

[GH85Carrera]

My well is only for the water sprinklers here. The well is 220 feet deep, and the pump is at 200 feet. I did pay for the screwed together 1.5 inch schedule 40 pipe. Many wells are put in with glued together pipe. I had it installed in 1999.

As it only runs to water my yard and there is no pressure tank, I hope the 22 1.5 HP pump lasts many more years.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

Just had ours done last year. It still worked for the most part after 30+ years in service. 190 feet down. Cost was around $3k all in with a few added extras.

Good to know, thanks!

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Usually, a couple of guys pull it up and out, no cranes or drills needed.
Just brute force and unscrew the wiring conduit as she comes up. Replace pump.
Lower in and start threading in the conduit as it goes dwn .
Dexterity depends on how far dwn it is.
Ask your neighbor how deep his is?

I say crane, it was similar to what you'd see on the back of and old fashioned tow truck, but taller. And the 2 guys that came out both looked like they were in their 60s, so I think they've moved away from "couple of guys pull it up" and on to "work smarter not harder".
We don't really have any neighbors. There's a house next door, but they have been living in FL almost the entire year for the past two years. They were here for a week or two recently because their 50-something year old son passed away. We have 2 neighbors another way. I've never met them.

There's a website for our county where you can view a map, and get the details about the wells that are listed on the map. We are roughly in the middle (to the left of "Borden") of the various green dots (residential wells) on this map. All of the green dots are 100'-200' except 6619606 which is listed as 357'. My guess is that we're somewhere in the 100-200' range. We'll have some guys coming out when they can fit us in to replace the foot valve in our well. I'll ask them for as much info as they can provide, so we should have a better idea after that.

[john70t]

In case you are bawking at the price, city water here is averaging $50/mo for minimal use.
Two of three of my tenants are rarely at the house and the third works or gone at a friends usually.

[insert: the math for total cost over 10 years)

The new smart meters are fraud and probably using federal networks.
One resident's class-action was dismissed for 'lack of standing' as the homeowners kept changing. A joke.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by john70t

In case you are bawking at the price, city water here is averaging $50/mo for minimal use.
Two of three of my tenants are rarely at the house and the third works or gone at a friends usually.

[insert: the math for total cost over 10 years)

The new smart meters are fraud and probably using federal networks.
One resident's class-action was dismissed for 'lack of standing' as the homeowners kept changing. A joke.

Nah, whatever the price is, that's what we've got to deal with. We have no other options. But I'm not concerned, and don't even know that we need a new pump.

The only reason that I asked is because if the guys say "I'll be $1000 to put in a new foot valve". Then I might say "what about a new valve and a pump?" (since we have no idea how old the pump is, could be 10 years old or 35) I'd hate to pay $1000 for a new foot valve, and then have to call them back out for a new pump in 3 months or a year to replace the pump if the cost is reasonable.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by john70t

In case you are bawking at the price, city water here is averaging $50/mo for minimal use.
Two of three of my tenants are rarely at the house and the third works or gone at a friends usually.

[insert: the math for total cost over 10 years)

The new smart meters are fraud and probably using federal networks.
One resident's class-action was dismissed for 'lack of standing' as the homeowners kept changing. A joke.

When we decided we needed a sprinkler system, I called the city to see what a second water meter and account would cost. It was much cheaper to just drill a well, and never pay a cent more for water for the yard, and I can ignore the water rationing during droughts.

[id10t]

25 year no maintenance/issues other than needing to replave one of the upper pipes, and then a replacement of my pressure tank. Neither was expensive

You do need to watch for freezing weather, and depending on your local water you may need a softener or other treatment system

(my well is into the aquifer not too far from the place where pepsi sucks it all out to sell. And seeing someones well pipe coming from the ceiling when you are hundreds of feet back in a cave system is kinda giggle inducing)

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

25 year no maintenance/issues other than needing to replave one of the upper pipes, and then a replacement of my pressure tank. Neither was expensive

You do need to watch for freezing weather, and depending on your local water you may need a softener or other treatment system

(my well is into the aquifer not too far from the place where pepsi sucks it all out to sell. And seeing someones well pipe coming from the ceiling when you are hundreds of feet back in a cave system is kinda giggle inducing)

Our water is hard-ish, but not rock hard. We bought this place in Dec, and then the following Feb the area had the hardest, coldest freeze with snow in decades. We did have the pipe crack just before the pressure tank. I had a halogen work light in the pump house for heat, but I think the rolling blackouts got us since the first was 2 hours. I fixed the pipe, put a hotwire on it, and then insulated the pipe with 2 types of insulation. We've had temps down to the high teens every years since with no freeze issues.