Well died tonight

[brokenknee]

I was in bed and the wife woke me up to say that we didn't have any water. The first thing I was thinking was a frozen water line; but then it really hasn't been that cold.

I will have to check in the morning but thinking the pump may have died. I did a search on here on pump replacement and the only one I found said they paid over five grand. I believe it was a five hundred foot well with a five horse pump.

I am not sure the depth of my well; but talking to my neighbors in the past they say around one hundred feet is pretty common in the area.

Just wondering if anyone has had there pump replaced recently and what it cost?

One problem I am looking at is the weather is going to turn cold starting tomorrow afternoon. They are talking 27* f below zero Sunday night with a high of around 10* f below zero. With cold temperatures to last for at least a week.

 

[henryswe]

My well quit pumping water years ago. Found out the start capacitors in the gray box in the pump house split apart. After replacing the capacitors pump has been working since. Worth a check. If that is the problem check your air bladder as it could be not working.

 

[avillahdw]

Lots of variables here that would affect replacement (if needed) cost. Jet (top of the ground) or submersible? Pressure switch functioning properly? If submersible, 3wire (no control box) or 4 wire (has control box)? Details will help diagnose.

 

[brokenknee]

Thanks, I will check the capacitors once it gets light out. I am usually sound asleep at this time of night, but the thought of being without water for an extended period is keeping me awake.

 

[brokenknee]

Lots of variables here that would affect replacement (if needed) cost. Jet (top of the ground) or submersible? Pressure switch functioning properly? If submersible, 3wire (no control box) or 4 wire (has control box)? Details will help diagnose.

It is a submersible pump, most likely about 100 feet deep. I believe it is a 3 wire as the only thing I have seen in the well pit is a bladder tank and the start capacitor.

 

[MikePA]

Our submersible pump (150' deep) was damaged by lightning a few years ago. We had to replace from the control box in the basement down to the pump itself. Cost was approximately, $2,000. There were storms in the area, but the lightning strike wasn't even near us. The guys who pulled the pump out said the damage was clearly caused by lightning. Homeowners ins paid for it.

I re-read my post, and to be clear, everything but the pressure tank and pipe down to the pump had to be replaced, that's what cost about $2k.

Control box, pressure switch, wiring, pump, torque arrestors, etc.

 

[randy41]

i had the same experience as mikepa. i just had to replace the pump. $700 or so sounds about what i paid for that. sometimes the cable that runs to the pump gets frayed/worn and that would be a cheaper fix if that's the case.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

I was worried about the well when I moved here and so I had a 3K gallon storage tank put in just in case something went wrong. A couple of times minor things have gone wrong but with the storage tank I have always had water. Good luck I hope it's something like the capacitor that is a cheaper fix. :thumbsup:

 

[MarkF48]

My well pump quit working last spring. I was able to figure out what was going on with a clamp on ammeter and an ohmmeter, but had a well company pull everything up and replace the wire. The wire had worn from the torquing of the pump when it started and rubbing the wire against the well casing. And I do have torque arrestors. Pump is down about 240'. He charged about $330 for the pull and repair. I think he said a 3/4hp pump would have been about $500 on top of the repair.

 

[lakngulf]

I have had a couple of issues with mine over the years....since 96. First, as others have said, the torque of the submersed pump engaging was causing a tear in the electrical line. Quick fix. Second, couple of controllers have gone bad. Third, the pump would go on and off for short periods. Replaced the pressure tank as I assumed the bladder had gone bad. So far so good.

How long does the typical submersed pump last?