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-   -   Submersible water pump (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=329576)

  • Mar 15, 2009, 01:58 PM
    apbrasa
    Submersible water pump
    Our water comes from a deep well, and at this time we don't have enough water pressure. I was told that the submersible water pump needs to be replaced but I doubt because it is working. I would like to know how I can fix the problem, and if the pump needs to be pulled out then I need ideas of how I can do it myself, tools that I would need. The main problem to pull it out is the weight of the water pump, and the galvanized iron pipe.
  • Mar 15, 2009, 06:10 PM
    speedball1
    What pressure does the pump produce? How deep is the well? Have you tried increasing the cut out point in the control box? If not do you need instructions on how to increase your pressure? Let me know. Tom
  • Mar 16, 2009, 03:32 AM
    apbrasa

    No, I didn't. I am sure the pump is really deep because the water taste good. The pressure switch, and the control box are new. I dislike the control panel because you close the circuit when the cap is placed, and it is tricky. If the pump is bad I would like to know if one of the symptoms would be low pressure, and if a problem with the contacts in the control panel by example not enough power (juice) would be a reason too.
  • Mar 16, 2009, 05:17 AM
    speedball1
    What pressure does the pump produce? What's the PSI at the pump? Tom
  • Mar 16, 2009, 07:43 AM
    jlisenbe

    AP, the pump does not control the pressure, the switch does. It sounds like you have installed a new switch which is preset to a pressure less than what you would like. If the pump had a problem, then it would likely run constantly, being unable to get the pressure up to the cut off point. If the pump is cutting off, then it is cutting off at the point set by the switch. This site has a very nice explanation of how to adjust the switch to increase pressure.

    How to adjust water pump pressure, pump cut-on pressure and pump cut-off pressure - private pump and well system do-it-yourself repairs

    Pulling up the pump/wellpipe on a submerged pump is not for the faint of heart. Depending on how deep the pump is, you're talking about a good bit of weight. The pipe is usually in 20' sections. You have to pull up twenty feet, anchor the lower section, unscrew the 20' above ground, then pull up 20 more feet, repeat procedure, all the while making CERTAIN the pump does not get loose and the whole deal falls down into the well. Some pumps have cable which you can anchor just in case. Still, unless you've seen it done, or are a really good "do it yourselfer", then I'd call in a pro. However, I think the switch adjustment is going to help you.
  • Mar 16, 2009, 10:34 AM
    speedball1
    Jlisenbe gave good advice, Now how about answering my question,
    Quote:

    What pressure does the pump produce? What's the PSI at the pump?
    Cheers, Tom
  • Mar 18, 2009, 03:47 AM
    apbrasa

    The pressure switch is new, and the control panel too. The house is around 3 feet over the ground, we had water in the house but not enough pressure to take a shower. The pump was working without stop because not enough pressure. I was told that the submersible water pump needs to be replaced but I doubt because it is working. If the problem is the pump then I would like to know if I need to replace it or if it is fixable. As the pump needs to be pulled out then I need ideas of how I can do it myself, and the tools that I would need. The main problem to pull it out is the weight of the water pump, and the galvanized iron pipe. Also I would like to know if I can replace the galvanized iron pipe, and how deep I can go with PVC.
  • Mar 18, 2009, 09:00 AM
    jlisenbe

    It is possible you have a leak in the wellpipe which prevents the pump from getting to cut off pressure. That would explain the pump not wanting to cut off. I would really suggest you get a pro. Pulling that pump can be tough, and you can end up with more problems than you ever thought of having. It is quite possible that the pump is the problem. Each Submersible pump is actually a series of "pumps" called stages. It is possible that one can go bad and the others still work. You will get water, but not at sufficient pressure. At any rate, a well pro can tell you about that. As I understand your description, the interesting part will be pulling the pump from under the house with only three feet of clearance. If that's the case, I can only guess it's the old black, flexible pipe.
  • Mar 18, 2009, 09:34 AM
    Milo Dolezal

    Good advices above...

    The pump should have rope attached to it. This rope prevents it from "loosing" it. I would suggest that you don't perform the pump removal by yourself but with some other able body.

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