By using a well, you don't have to rely on municipal systems to provide water in your home. While this frees you from paying water bills, it also means that you are the one responsible for maintaining your system. At the heart of the system is your well pump; the machinery that moves water from your well to your faucet. To keep your well pump (and your water) running properly, you'll need to call in the professionals from time to time.
Installation
While it's possible to install a well pump yourself, it's not practical for most people. To start, you would have to measure well depth, static water level, the production rate, the uphill distance between the tank and the well, the distance between the pumping location and the well, and the distance between the well and the electric meter responsible for powering the pump. That lengthy list is merely to determine which kind of pump you need. The rest of the process is highly technical, and mistakes will cost you time and money. If you're not the tinkering type, hiring a professional will save you some grief.
Maintenance
Like any other machinery, well pumps wear down over time. Small, easy-to-fix issues can turn into major problems if left unchecked. In addition to being costly to repair, a malfunctioning well pump can make your water dangerous to drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual maintenance check-ups to keep your well functioning as it should. Maintenance check-ups are necessary to identify issues and prolong the life of your well pump. A properly maintained well pump should last 10 or 15 years on average, depending on what type of pump you have.
Repairs
While annual maintenance helps prevent repairs, accidents happen. Low water pressure (or no water at all), a sudden spike in your electrical bill, and cloudy or odd-tasting water are all signs that something is wrong with your well pump. You should always hire a professional to diagnose and repair your pump. If you attempt to fix the pump yourself, you could easily end up exacerbating the problem, which will yield a higher repair bill than if you had gone to a professional in the first place. You also run the risk of injuring yourself. Possible calamities include electrocution, a tank explosion, and burst pipes.
For more information about water well pumps, reach out to a professional.
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