Submersible Water Well Pump Is Designed To Work Deep Inside A Well And Deliver Reliable Water For Homes, Farms, Irrigation Systems, And Commercial Sites. However, Even A Durable Pump May Eventually Need Service. If The System Loses Pressure, Stops Producing Water, Cycles Abnormally, Or Shows Signs Of Motor Failure, You May Need To Pull The Submersible Water Well Pump Out Of The Well For Inspection, Repair, Or Replacement.
Learning How To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump Correctly Is Important Because The Job Involves Electricity, Water Lines, Pump Weight, And Well Safety. A Shallow System May Be Easier To Handle, But A Deep Installation Can Be Very Heavy And Difficult To Remove Without Proper Preparation. A Careful Step-By-Step Process Helps Protect The Pump, Pipe, Wire, And Well Casing.
What Does It Mean To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump?
To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump Means To Lift The Entire Pump Assembly Out Of The Well. This Assembly Usually Includes The Pump, Motor, Drop Pipe, Electrical Cable, Check Valve, Torque Arrestor, Safety Rope, And Related Fittings. In Most Systems, The Pump Sits Deep Below Ground, So Removal Requires Planning, Strength, And Caution.
A Submersible Well Pump Is Usually Removed Only When There Is A Clear Reason, Such As Pump Failure, Low Water Pressure, Reduced Flow, Damaged Wiring, Pipe Problems, Or Scheduled Maintenance.
Signs You May Need To Pull A Submersible Well Pump
No Water From The System
If The System Suddenly Stops Delivering Water, The Problem May Be A Failed Motor, Broken Wire, Damaged Control Box, Faulty Pressure Switch, Or A Leak In The Drop Pipe.
Low Water Pressure
If Water Pressure Becomes Weak And Remains Low, The Submersible Water Well Pump May Be Worn, Partially Blocked, Or Mechanically Damaged.
Pump Runs But Flow Is Poor
If The Pump Runs But Produces Very Little Water, The Issue May Be Impeller Wear, Pipe Damage, Or Low Well Yield. In This Situation, Pulling The Submersible Well Pump May Be Necessary.
Frequent Cycling
If The Pump Turns On And Off Too Often, The Cause May Be A Pressure Tank Problem, A Faulty Switch, Or A Leak In The Pump System.
Electrical Problems
Tripped Breakers, Burned Wires, Damaged Cable Insulation, Or Overloaded Motors Are Also Common Reasons To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump For Inspection.
Safety Before Pulling A Submersible Water Well Pump
Before Starting, Turn Off All Electrical Power To The Pump At The Breaker. Do Not Depend Only On The Pressure Switch. Confirm That Power Is Completely Off Before Touching Any Wire Or Opening The Well Cap.
Release Water Pressure By Opening A Faucet Or Drain Point. This Helps Reduce System Pressure Before Disconnecting The Well Seal Or Pitless Adapter.
Wear Gloves, Eye Protection, And Waterproof Boots. If The Deep Well Pump Assembly Is Heavy, Do Not Try To Pull It Alone. Many Systems Need Extra Help Or Mechanical Lifting Tools.
If The Pump Is Installed In A Deep Well With Steel Pipe Or A Long Drop Line, A Hoist, Tripod, Or Pump Pulling Tool May Be Necessary. For Very Deep Installations, Professional Service Is Often The Safer Choice.
Tools Needed To Pull A Submersible Well Pump
The Exact Tools Depend On The Installation, But Most Jobs Require:
- Pipe Wrenches
- Adjustable Wrench
- Screwdrivers
- T-Handle Tool For A Pitless Adapter
- Pliers
- Voltage Tester
- Gloves
- Rope Or Lifting Line
- Clean Tarp Or Surface For Pipe Placement
- Hoist, Tripod, Or Extra Help For Heavy Pump Removal
If The System Uses Poly Pipe, Removal May Be Easier Than Steel Pipe Removal, But The Assembly Can Still Be Heavy Because Of The Water Weight And Pump Motor.
How To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump Step By Step
Step 1: Shut Off Power
Turn Off The Breaker That Supplies Power To The Submersible Water Well Pump. Use A Voltage Tester To Confirm The Power Is Off Before Touching Any Wiring.
Step 2: Disconnect The Water System
Open A Faucet To Release Pressure From The Plumbing System. Then Disconnect The Water Line At The Well Head If Necessary. If The System Uses A Pitless Adapter, Prepare To Release It Carefully. If It Uses A Well Seal, Loosen The Bolts And Lift The Top Assembly Slowly.
Step 3: Remove The Well Cap Or Well Seal
Take Off The Well Cap Or Loosen The Well Seal. Keep Dirt, Leaves, Tools, And Debris Away From The Open Well. Clean Handling Is Very Important During Submersible Well Pump Removal.
Step 4: Disconnect The Electrical Wiring
Label The Wires Before Disconnecting Them. This Makes Reinstallation Easier. Keep The Wire Ends Secure So They Do Not Fall Into The Well. Check For Burn Marks, Cracks, Corrosion, Or Loose Connections.
Step 5: Release The Pitless Adapter Or Lift The Pipe Assembly
If The System Uses A Pitless Adapter, Insert The Correct Pulling Tool And Lift The Adapter Upward To Release It. Once It Comes Free, Begin Pulling The Drop Pipe Straight Up.
If The Pump Is Connected Through A Well Seal, Lift The Assembly Carefully From The Top And Keep The Pipe Centered To Avoid Scraping The Well Casing.
Step 6: Pull The Pump Out Slowly
Pull The Submersible Water Well Pump Out In A Slow, Steady Motion. Do Not Jerk The Pipe Or Twist The Cable Excessively. As The Pipe Comes Out, Lay It On A Clean Surface. Keep The Electrical Cable And Safety Rope Straight And Untangled.
With Flexible Poly Pipe, The Line Can Often Be Coiled Carefully As It Comes Out. With Rigid Pipe Sections, Each Section May Need To Be Unscrewed One At A Time. A Deep Well Pump With Steel Pipe Is Much Heavier And Usually Requires Mechanical Assistance.
Step 7: Inspect The Pump, Pipe, And Cable
Once The Submersible Water Well Pump Is Fully Removed, Inspect The Entire Assembly.
Check The Pump Body For Wear, Corrosion, Sand Damage, Or Blocked Intake Openings. Inspect The Motor Housing, Check Valve, Discharge Connection, And Any Visible Impeller Damage. Look At The Drop Pipe For Cracks, Rust, Leaks, Or Thread Damage. Examine The Electrical Cable For Worn Insulation, Burned Areas, Or Failed Splices.
This Inspection Often Shows Whether The Problem Comes From The Pump, Motor, Pipe, Wire, Or Another Part Of The Water Well Pump System.
Common Problems Found After Pulling A Well Pump
After Pulling A Submersible Well Pump, Several Common Problems May Appear.
A Burned Motor May Show Signs Of Overheating Or Electrical Damage. Worn Impellers Can Reduce Pumping Capacity And Lower Water Flow. Split Poly Pipe Or Corroded Steel Pipe Can Cause Water Loss And Weak Pressure. Damaged Wire Insulation Can Short The System Or Trip The Breaker. A Failed Check Valve Can Let Water Drain Back Into The Well, Which Causes Pressure Loss And Long Pump Cycles.
In Sandy Wells, Abrasion Is Another Common Issue. Sand Can Wear Pump Stages, Reduce Efficiency, And Shorten Motor Life. If The Submersible Water Well Pump Shows Severe Wear, Replacement Is Often Better Than Repair.
Can You Pull A Submersible Well Pump By Yourself?
A Small Submersible Water Well Pump In A Shallow Well May Be Manageable For One Or Two Experienced People. However, Many Systems Become Much Heavier Than Expected Because Of Pipe Length, Water Weight, Cable, Fittings, And Motor Size.
A Deep Well Pump Installed Far Below Ground Can Be Dangerous To Remove Without Proper Tools. If The Pipe Slips, The Pump May Fall Back Into The Well And Create A More Serious Recovery Problem. For Deeper Or Heavier Installations, Professional Well Pump Service Is Usually The Better Choice.
Should You Repair Or Replace The Pump?
That Depends On The Condition Of The System. If The Problem Is Limited To A Damaged Wire Splice, Worn Check Valve, Or Short Section Of Pipe, Repair May Be Enough. If The Motor Is Burned Out, The Pump Stages Are Badly Worn, Or The Unit Has Been In Service For Many Years, Replacement Is Often The Smarter Long-Term Option.
When Replacing A Submersible Water Well Pump, Many Owners Also Replace Worn Fittings, Cable Guards, Torque Arrestors, And Safety Rope At The Same Time. This Helps Improve Reliability And Reduce Future Maintenance.
Tips Before Reinstalling The Pump
Before Reinstalling The Submersible Water Well Pump, Check The Well Depth, Static Water Level, And Pump Setting Depth. Make Sure The Replacement Pump Matches The Required Flow Rate And Head. Use Waterproof Wire Splices Made For Submersible Applications. Secure The Cable Neatly Along The Pipe. Inspect The Pitless Adapter Or Well Seal Before Reassembly.
A Clean And Careful Installation Is Just As Important As Proper Removal. A Poor Reinstallation Can Lead To Pressure Problems, Repeat Service Calls, And Shorter Pump Life.
When To Call A Professional
You Should Strongly Consider Professional Help If The Well Is Very Deep, The Pump Is Stuck, The Pipe Is Steel, The Cable Is Damaged Inside The Well, Or The Pump Has Become Jammed In The Casing. A Professional Technician Has The Right Pulling Tools, Lifting Equipment, And Electrical Testing Devices To Remove The Submersible Water Well Pump Safely.
Professional Service Is Also Recommended When The Pump Is Part Of A Larger Residential, Agricultural, Or Commercial Water System Where Downtime Must Be Minimized.
Conclusion
Knowing How To Pull A Submersible Water Well Pump Helps You Understand The Repair Process, Diagnose Water Problems, And Make Better Maintenance Decisions. The Job Requires Careful Preparation, Safe Electrical Handling, Steady Lifting, And Close Inspection Of The Pump, Pipe, And Wiring.
Whether You Are Dealing With A Residential Submersible Water Well Pump, A Deep Well Pump, Or A Heavy-Duty Water Well Pump System, The Most Important Steps Are To Work Safely, Keep The Well Clean, And Pull The Assembly Slowly Without Causing Damage. If The System Is Too Deep Or Too Heavy, Professional Pump Removal Is Often The Best Solution.
