Well pump replacement
When the pump is done, get a new one sized for your well's depth, water level and household.
Well pump replacement means pulling a failed or worn-out pump and installing a new one that matches your well and how much water you use. In Smith County that's most often a submersible pump, though some older and shallower wells use jet pumps above ground. A good replacement is a chance to fix whatever made the old pump fail early.
How do I know the pump needs replacing?
- The technician has tested the motor and found it failed
- The pump runs but delivers little or no water
- Electrical readings show the motor is shorted or seized
- Repeated repairs on an aging pump
Submersible or jet pump?
Submersible pumps sit down in the well below the water level and push water up. They're quiet, efficient and the standard choice for most drilled wells in the area. Jet pumps sit above ground and pull water up, which limits them to shallower water levels. The right choice depends on your well's depth, the water level and the casing size. Many Smith County domestic wells were built with 4-inch casing, which fits standard 4-inch submersible pumps.
How is a replacement pump sized?
- Depth of the pump setting and the water level in the well
- How far and how high water has to travel to the house
- The pressure your household wants
- How much water the well can actually produce
- Peak demand: showers, laundry, irrigation and livestock
An oversized pump can draw a well down or short-cycle. An undersized one won't keep up. The installer should size it to the well, not just match the old label.
What else should be replaced at the same time?
Since the pump is already out of the well, it's often worth replacing old wire, corroded drop pipe and fittings, and check valves. Acidic, iron-rich water like much of the Queen City aquifer's can corrode galvanized fittings. Many owners also have the pressure tank and switch checked or replaced so the new pump isn't short-cycling from the start.
What affects the cost of a new pump?
- Pump type and horsepower.
- Setting depth and the amount of pipe and wire.
- Pipe material. Replacing galvanized with plastic drop pipe.
- Control equipment. Control boxes, constant-pressure controllers or new switches.
- Pressure tank replacement, if needed.
Prices come from the well company after they've diagnosed the problem. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How long does a well pump last?
It varies with water quality, how often the pump cycles and how hard it works. Short cycling from a bad pressure tank and corrosive water both shorten pump life.
Should I replace the pressure tank with the pump?
Not always, but have it checked. A tank that has lost its air charge makes the new pump cycle constantly and wear out early.
Related services
More background: Smith County water well guide.
No water at the tap?
Call now instead of sending a form. A dead pump is a same-day problem.