Well problem. Worth $2300?

[aczlan]

Seeing a trend of people who have had pumps died because the well ran dry.
I strongly recommend replacing your pressure switch with one that has a low pressure cutout.
It costs a few bucks more, but if the pressure in your system drops below 20 psi it shuts down the pump. to start it back up you hold up a little lever on the side until it gets above 20 psi.

It's a whole lot cheaper than a new pump.

Aaron Z

 

[dodge man]

I’m pretty sure it didn’t run dry, I was using when it quit, it just slowly ran out of water. The guy told me the new pump has the pressure switch built in. No we’ll house either, it’s just the casing sticking about 2 feet above ground and within 7 feet of my paved driveway.

 

[TnAndy]

New 3 wire 3/4hp pump and control box $469 free shipping

Red Lion RL12G07-3W2V 12 GPM 3/4 HP Deep Well Submersible Pump 3-Wire 230V w/ Control Box

They aren't hard to pull. I've done mine (220'), neighbors (350'), another neighbors (180') using the front loader on the tractor to lift the pipe, the clamp the pipe at the well head so you can lower the loader to get another 'bite', and unscrew the pipe (we use sch 40 screw end PVC here) when you get to a joint. Repeat until the pump comes out. Not that hard a job for two guys.

 

[fruitcakesa]

The 1/2 hp 120v deep well pump quit the February before last. It was 25 years old. I first tried a new control box but no go.
Then I followed the procedure to electrically test the pump while it was still the 200 feet down in the well and that showed that the pump was bad.
I called a local well driller and within an hour 2 guys showed up in a company truck with a hoist and a reel type device that pulled the pump out of the well.
They of course had arrived with a 3/4 hp 220v pump with attached control. Luckily the basement subpanel was close enough and had 2 open spaces to insert a 220 v breaker.
2 hours after they had arrived, the deed was done. Total for everything was $1100. Seems like I got a good deal compared to some of you others.

 

[TractorGuy]

Thanks downslope, that was kind of the answer I was looking for. I know how this works, someone comes on here asks if a price for something is fair, and people say they had that done last week for half of what they were quoted. I kind of expected posts like that. I was more looking for good reasons to fix the well I had not thought of.

So far our rural water has been 100% reliable. It’s part of a very large system in terms of area, but mostly rural in nature. One of the water towers is within 5 miles. I do have an IBC tote I could use for emergencies but that would be a last resort. When we only had the well we were without water several times, probably once every two years on average, usually because of a lose of power.

I think the question you might consider is did you get a fair quote. What if someone else would do it for half that amount. Would it be worth it to you to fix it then?

Actually needing new pipe is rare I was told. The guy that came back to replace ALL my pipe on my insistence said I was wasting money but I wasn't about to pay labor twice in one year and not get all new pipe.

 

[dodge man]

I could easily get another price, the one I got is from a plumbing and electrical company. Even at $1500 I’m not sure I’d get it done. The guy was worried the pipe would be galvanized.

 

[Fuddy1952]

A few weeks ago I replaced our 1/2hp pump with a really good Goulds 3/4hp. I wired a light on well house so pump on, light on. Most it's run is about 15-20 seconds.
Now you're asking reasons to replace it?
Me...at the very least I'd pull it. What have you got to lose? I had a guy helping pull mine. It's not hard by hand. I pulled mine by myself years ago when it had 1" galvanized! I replaced with 1" black plastic. I wore non slip gloves. Not bad at all.
One failure years ago simply was a wire broke near pump.
Pulling it won't cost you a dime. You can see water level, check pump and pipe, wiring, etc. Could be something simple and you're back in business, just cost some time. If pump itself is bad then decide how much $ it's worth to you, otherwise just cap off the well.
You may decide to then go with a wind or hand water pump either as a novelty, or secondary water source, etc.

SunshineWorks

 

[grsthegreat]

If thats all the water your using per year id not invest a dime in it. If your worried about emergency water supply, alot of people here bury 1,000 drinking rated tanks piped inline with well or utility water so its always fresh. Then they have a small 125v pump to supply pressure from a small generator. This water is used for livestock, drinking, etc as a short time emergency supply. Cheap to install.

 

[Peter 315]

I fixed my well water problem a couple weeks ago $ 1.59 , A ride on the bike to the hardware store and a little backhoe time all done.............

 

[BoylermanCT]

When we first moved to our home 10 years ago, well went out and I called the well company. They replaced the pump for $1600. Watched them do it and said I would never pay someone to do that again. 2 years ago the well went out again. Bought a new 3/4hp pump for $400 and pulled the old one out by hand - 210' of black poly pipe. Replaced the pump and set it back down the well. Turned it on and nothing. Pulled the pump out again, and checked the electricity. Power at the top but no power at the bottom. Replaced the wiring for $150. Saw the old wiring has been spliced 6 times! Sent the pump down and everything worked fine. Total time 3-4 hours. It is not a hard job and you can do it for 1/4 to 1/3 the price.