How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Well Pump?

The costs for replacing a well pump are dependent on the type of pump, the depth and the location. For example, replacing a shallow well jet pump is usually less expensive than replacing a submersible residential well pump. A deep well jet pump is likely to be somewhere in between. If a well pump is a primary or only source of water, replacing a malfunctioning one is essential to keep water flowing to the home.

What Are Well Pumps

Well pumps are tools that use suction and pressure to draw water from a well. There are two main types of well pumps. Submersible pumps are submersed in the well and use pressure to push the water up. Jet pumps, by contrast, work more like a straw. These pumps combine pressure with suction to draw the water up from the well. Most current well pumps operate with electricity. Well pumps do not pump continuously every time a water source turns on inside the house. Instead, they deliver the water to a storage tank where it is available for use. When the water pressure in the tank drops below a certain level, the pump activates and adds more water.

Replacing Submersible vs Jet Pumps

Jet pumps are either shallow or deep and replacement costs depend on the material, capacity and motor. Some common materials used for jet pumps are cast iron, stainless steel, carbon ceramic and thermoplastic. Motors can be from 1/3 horsepower to 1.5. Smaller motors and materials such as thermoplastic will cost less than cast iron and larger motors. Shallow jet pumps are usually placed up to 25 feet deep, while deep jet pumps are placed up to 150 feet deep. Jet pumps are generally considered an older style of well pump and deliver less volume and pressure compared to submersible pumps. Sometimes jet pumps stop working due to a loss of prime, while submersible pumps are always self-priming.

Submersible pumps have the same criteria in terms of cost to replace as jet pumps, however, similar sizes of submersible pumps are still typically more expensive than jet pumps. Despite the higher price, submersible pumps are considered more reliable than jet pumps and are less noisy.

Changing Pumps

Sometimes, a homeowner with an older-style jet pump that malfunctions may decide to switch to a more modern submersible pump instead of replacing the old jet pump. There are several factors in this decision. One consideration is that submersible pumps are always self-primed, making them unlikely to stop working for this reason. Leaks and obstructions are both possible reasons for a jet pump's loss of prime. Submersible pumps always have water present to create prime. Submersible pumps are also able to create pressure up to 30 percent faster than jet pumps because they are not working against gravity. This not only saves on energy but makes the submersible pump far quieter than a jet pump. This could be important if the well is located near the house. Finally, a submersible pump is completely sealed, which makes it almost completely maintenance free. Even though submersible pumps are more expensive upfront, they typically save water pump costs in the long run through both repair and energy.

Why Hire A Pro

Hiring a pro to service a well pump is important for a number of reasons. The first is that a professional will be able to more accurately pinpoint the problem with the pump and whether it is fixable or if the well pump will need to be replaced. It can also be necessary if the homeowner does not know the depth of the well or even what type of pump is in the well, if they did not put it in.

Typically well pump problems can be summed up in three main ways: the motor refusing to stop, refusing to start or a general lack of water pressure. The problems could also be electrical, which could require a call to the power company if voltage is too low. Generally, well pump problems are a combination of electrical and water issues and this can be dangerous for anyone not familiar with the equipment.

In some cases, the pump and the piping may need to be extracted from the well. This is most cases with a malfunctioning submersible pump. Professionals usually use a derrick truck or pump puller machine to extract the pump.