The Basics of Well Pumps

If you have “city” water, well pumps do not need to be part of your vocabulary. If you do have a well, you will want to read on.

Well, Well, Well

A well pump is part of your well system, and like any other system and investment in your Palo Alto, home, you need to know everything about it to ensure its proper installation, maintenance, and service.

Call us at Flow Masters Plumbing Inc, and we can help you service your well pump system so you can protect your important investment.

What is a Well Pump?

A well pump is a mechanical device used to extract water from a well and deliver it to your home or property for everyday use. It’s an essential component for homes and businesses that rely on private wells for their water supply.

Well pumps are typically installed inside the well, above ground, or in a designated pump house, depending on the type and depth of the well.

Types and Installation of Well Pumps

Determining what type of well pump to install at your Palo Alto, property is largely based on the depth of your well system. There are three types you can consider: shallow well pumps, convertible jet well pumps, and deep well (or submersible) pumps.

Fun fact––no matter the type of well pump, all have the same components on their outsides.

1.  Shallow Well Pump

The shallow well pump is utilized with wells 25 feet deep or less. It is not submersible and is placed outside the well, usually in a type of well housing. The most common type of shallow pump used nowadays is a jet pump.

2.  Convertible Jet Well Pump

The convertible jet well pump is used with wells 0 to 25 feet deep with a shallow jet well nozzle or 25 to 90 feet deep with an ejector assembly. This type of pump is not submersible and is placed in a well housing. California homeowners with a fluctuating water table usually choose this type of pump.

3.  Deep Well (or Submersible) Pump

The deep well pump is used in wells as deep as 90 to 300 feet. It differs from shallow well pumps in that it is submerged inside the well.

If you are looking for a replacement rather than a new install, it is best to keep the same type of well pump you currently have for compatibility reasons. The size of the pump you will need is determined by how much water you will need (gallons per minute, or GPM).

When it is time to install a new or replacement well pump, keep the work in the hands of a professional pump installer. There are so many factors when dealing with water; having someone experienced and knowledgeable from Flow Masters Plumbing Inc is a must.

Beware, Shoddy Well Pump Installations Will Cost You

When looking for someone to install your pump, be sure to ask questions. At Flow Masters Plumbing Inc, we want you to know about our experience and what equipment we will be using. Our installers also follow local codes and regulations and obtain the necessary applications, permits, and inspections for every well pump installation in Palo Alto, and surrounding areas.

Keep in mind that a well pump is an investment. Trying to cut corners to save on costs will not prove beneficial in the long run, costing you more later in replacements or repairs or, worse, your health. Using someone with the lowest prices may mean they are less experienced or do not use the highest-quality equipment.

After all, this is your water we are talking about—“the staff of life.” Having the job performed correctly the first time around by one of our Flow Masters Plumbing Inc experts is worth everything.

Well Pump Maintenance

The two biggest priorities of Palo Alto, residential well pump maintenance are keeping the pump working efficiently and protecting the water from contaminants like bacteria and pollution.

To help protect your well from contamination, you can take some maintenance steps yourself:

• Ensure that toxic household chemicals, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and paints, are stored and used far away from your well to prevent them from seeping into the ground and contaminating the groundwater.
• To avoid cross-contamination, make sure your septic system and wastewater drainage are located at a safe distance from the well.

Taking these precautions can help safeguard the quality of your water supply.

To keep your well pump working efficiently, we always recommend an annual checkup of your well and well pump by one of our qualified professionals. During your well pump maintenance visit, we also recommend requesting a water quality test. This will verify your efforts to keep contaminants out of your well are working—or need improvement.

Per the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you should test well water more often if you reside with small children, elderly adults, or someone who is pregnant or nursing.

Well Pump Services in Palo Alto

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it is time to call one of our professionals to check your well pump:

•   The well pump will not start, or it starts/stops too often.

•   The circuit breaker trips when the well pump starts or while it is running.

•   The motor pump will not run.

•   There is low water pressure or no water at all.

•   Dirty water comes out of your faucets.

•   There are strange or loud noises in the pipes.

•   You have unusually high electric bills (your pump may be running continuously).

•   water is sputtering out of the faucets.

We Are Your Well Pump Experts in Palo Alto

Scheduling annual checkups for your well pump ensures it will work hard for you for years. Call Flow Masters Plumbing Inc at 415-570-2719 or request service online today. If you are looking to install a new or replace an old well pump in or around the greater Palo Alto, area, we are experienced in all well pump services and are happy to help.