Well Pump Basics

A well is a convenient, money-saving water source that many choose to install on their property, but as with all additions to a home, it comes with its own set of responsibilities. One of these is regularly maintaining the well pump, an integral part of the well’s system. However, you may not know just how long is appropriate to wait between services. We’ve done the research to tell you.

Your well pump should be serviced every 1-3 years for regular maintenance. With regular maintenance, you can expect your well pump to last 15 years or more.

So now you know how often to have your well pump serviced, but you may be wondering why this should be done, and you may have other questions about this appliance. As a homeowner, it’s always a good idea to be educated on your well’s system.

How Does A Well Pump Work?

The well pump is a vital component of the water system, and when seeking to understand why it needs regular maintenance, it’s useful to recognize the different types of well pumps and the way they function.

Above-Ground Pump

The above-ground pump is sometimes referred to as a jet pump. This type of pump delivers water to the home by using a vacuum to pull the water from the well into a nozzle. This is referred to as “indirect pressure.”

The above-ground pump is usually located directly in the home or a separate well house. Once the water has been pulled from the well and delivered to the pump, it will then be provided to the home.

Because it uses indirect pressure and the pump is located outside of the well, this means that the water is not provided in a continuous stream. This type of pump is easily accessed for service and maintenance.

Submersible Pump

The submersible pump is created with quality in mind, produced with impermeable, solid metals, and is soldered so that its inner system will not be damaged. This pump is meant for use with deep wells of 75 feet or more.

This unit is placed directly inside the well. It uses “direct pressure” from the water’s surface to pull water from deep within the well and deliver it to the storage tank and then to the home.

This type of pump is often thought of as superior in design to the above-ground pumps, and although it is less convenient to reach for maintenance, it can make up for this disadvantage by being less susceptible to corrosion, and therefore needing maintenance and service less often.

How Do You Maintain A Well Pump?

While the owner of a well cannot provide in-depth maintenance to the system, they can prevent potential issues from occurring by doing certain things to keep the system in top condition.

In addition, many homeowners cannot do much to service the well pump itself, but doing their part to take care of the system as a whole is helpful to keeping the well pump at top functionality.

Some tasks for a well owner include:

• Pay close attention to the well function and water quality.
• Keep leaves and other debris away from the well’s opening.
• Slope the ground away from the well’s opening.
• Routinely check the well cap and casing and take care to protect it from damage.
• Keep hazardous materials away from the well and prevent back-siphonage.
• Routinely have the well water tested—at least once per year.