When you say “well pump”, to a lot of us it conjures up an image of an old hand-operated mechanical pump next to a farm house. When I was a kid, it seems like in every western movie or TV show, at some point somebody would go outside with a bucket or a pitcher in their hands, grab the well pump handle, and crank out the water they needed.

You can still find some of these pumps alongside old houses out in the countryside. But by and large, they are a thing of the past. The only reason to install one now would be in the situation where no electricity is available.

There are different types of well pumps for different situations: submersible, reciprocating, jet, shallow and deep well to name the most common. The modern well pump is in most cases a submersible pump, powered by an electric motor. It is submersible in the sense that the entire pump is submersed under the well water level into the aquifer, where the well driller has tapped your water source. It is designed to work under water. The jet pump is designed for above ground use.

Some of the brands of pumps we use are Franklin, Goulds, & Myers.

The well pump assembly that installs in the well casing includes the pump, the drop pipe, which the pump attaches to and which carries the water out of the well, a torque arrestor, and a wire guard, also called a cable guard. The water is piped into the house where it is stored for use in the water storage tank. The pressure switch is installed at the water tank. It controls when the pump is powered up, and when to turn it off.

A faulty pressure switch or a burst bladder tank is often the culprit when your well water system starts to act strange, or even shuts off. Either one is much less costly than a new well pump. A well pump generally lasts from 7 to 15 years. However, well pumps can last anywhere from 12 to 20 years if they are properly installed. By doing it right the first time, Walter’s Well Pump & Tank Service will save you money over the long haul.

If you think your pump needs a replacement, do your research online so you can get familiar with different pump types and sizes before you begin consulting with your state of NC licensed and approved well contractor. It will make it easier for you to understand why a particular pump has been selected for your particular well.

But if you don’t have the time or interest to study water wells and pumps (and who could blame you), just call us at Walter’s Well Pump & Tank Service and let us take care of it for you. You may not even need a new pump! The problem is often something else in the system that’s less costly than a new pump installation. We will tell you straightforward what the real problem is, and what it will take to make it work properly again.

This is another reason why you need to choose an experienced professional to work with. Walter’s Well Pump & Tank Service in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill NC is here to help you.