Submersible Well Pump

[whistlepig]

Our water pressure is dropping off. I suspect our 13 year old submersible well pump is getting long in the tooth. I'm not sure how many years these pumps are supposed to last. We are going to give the plumber a call to take a look. Any suggestions on a new submersible, good or bad, would be appreciated.

 

[JD5210]

You will need to determine how deep your well is to determine how big a pump you need ie hp. Many pumps are 10 gallons a minute.

On pressure, what is your switch a 40/60 or 30/50? If 30/50 I would upgrade to a 40/60, this info is on the inside of the switchs cover. If you replace the switch check the small tube under the switch, sometimes it fills up with stuff.

How is the pressure when the pressure tank is full? If the pressure is low then, it is not the pump. What is the condition of you pressure tank? Turn off the pump, let the water run out of the tank, then gentle rock the tank back and forth, if you hear water going back and forth, this means the bladder is bad and that could be your problem. If you hear nothing good time to test the pressure in the bladder, since the tank is empty.

Since there is no filter and there should NOT be one, between the tank and pump, your pressure tank could be getting full of stuff. For me about every 5 years, I drain the pressure tank (valve at bottom), then turn on the pump, letting the water rush in to stir up things at the bottom and keep repeating this until the water comes out clean.

 

[whistlepig]

The pressure tank is holding at 45 pounds. I don't think the bladder is water logged. In my experience the pump runs continuously when the bladder is bad. The pump seems to start and stop like it is supposed to. Just no pressure or water volume when the pump is running.

 

[ryer]

Whistlepig,I just replaced mine (teel brand) it had 14 yrs on it,the one before that was a brand called Myers and it lasted about 10 years.A buddy in the waterwell business recommended a brand called Grundfos,it ran me about $850.00 for pump(1.5 hp 16 gal. min) and control box.Ryer

 

[JimRB]

You need to read the pressure on the pressure tank when the pump is off after high cut off and what it reads just as it turns on. My water loggged tank let the pump short cycle.

The last place were rented had a deep well pump that had to be at least 20 years old. We would run that 24 hours a day for weeks on end to water pastures. At that place we had corrosion inside the pipes causing the pressure switch to not work properly. Any chance you have internally corrode pipes reducing flow?

 

[Soundguy]

break the line befor ethe tank and see what the flow is from the pump itself..

 

[whistlepig]

Whistlepig,I just replaced mine (teel brand) it had 14 yrs on it,the one before that was a brand called Myers and it lasted about 10 years.A buddy in the waterwell business recommended a brand called Grundfos,it ran me about $850.00 for pump(1.5 hp 16 gal. min) and control box.Ryer

I have read a little about Grundfos pumps in the past. These are for sure premium pumps. From the replies that I am getting it sounds like 12-14 years is max on a submersible. Local plumber wants $675.00 to install a new submersible plug and play. Brand of his choice. I would pay the extra for a Grundfos if I was sure the extra pump life was there.

 

[whistlepig]

break the line befor ethe tank and see what the flow is from the pump itself..

I think that would be hard to "eyeball".

 

[Soundguy]

i don't think it would.. can do a farmerized semi calibrated test using a 5g bucket and a watch to guestimate flow rate in gpm...

 

[whistlepig]

You need to read the pressure on the pressure tank when the pump is off after high cut off and what it reads just as it turns on. My water loggged tank let the pump short cycle.

The last place were rented had a deep well pump that had to be at least 20 years old. We would run that 24 hours a day for weeks on end to water pastures. At that place we had corrosion inside the pipes causing the pressure switch to not work properly. Any chance you have internally corrode pipes reducing flow?

This place was built in 1999. Pump is the same age. I have done a few minor plumbing repairs and modifications. I have seen no significant build up in the pipes. I do appreciate the advice but from the responses I am getting it seems that 12-14 years is the lifetime of a submersible. I have a friend that lives close to me. He got 12 years out of his submersible. He replaced his about 6 months ago.