Are you new to rural living? Well pump systems can be complicated, and a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry. If you just bought a well-water using home in greater-Asheville, NC, Carolina Well & Pump is here to help.
What is a Well Pump?
Well pumps transfer water from a well into a storage tank, where it stays until you need it. To make this happen, well pumps use a pressure tank system that sends water from the reservoir (or storage tank) into your home’s plumbing.
Types of Well Pump Systems
Centrifugal
A centrifugal pump is an automatic machine designed to move liquid by use of the shift of rotational energy from one or more driven rotors, called impellers. Fluid enters the quickly rotating impeller along the axis. Centrifugal force sends it out along its perimeter through the impeller’s vane tips. This endeavor of the impeller causes the speed and pressure of the water to rise, and it lets the water know to travel toward the pump outlet. The pump housing is specifically intended to compress the water from the pump inlet, guide it into the impeller, and then regulate the fluid before it is released into the home.
Centrifugal pumps are smaller than other types of well pumps. This makes them easier to access for maintenance, and they are less expensive. They do not have drive seals, like submersible pumps do. This eliminates the chance of corrosion or very costly repairs. Their size limits how much water they can suck up, so they work best in shallow wells no deeper than 25 feet.
Submersible
A submersible pump is one of the most popular. It favors a long, metal cylinder that is fully engulfed in a well. It uses a motor to pull water from the well, and upward through the pump into a reservoir that is above the ground.
Submersible pumps can function in numerous depths, so they are able to serve dry areas with deeper wells also. They do not increase energy costs, because they incorporate the use of gravity during pumping. Since they are underwater, the engine stays much cooler than other pumps. This makes for a longer life for the motor.
There is a downfall to being fully underwater. Submersible well pumps are created to be sealed well around the motor. As time progresses, the seal can break. This allows water to invade areas it should not be able to. This makes them the most costly pumps to repair, but their long lifespan and low maintenance demands outweigh that.
Jet Pump
Jet pumps come in two forms: ones that serve deep wells, and ones that form shallow wells. Shallow jet pumps have a similar operation to submersible pumps, but they are only able to serve wells at a depth of 25 feet or less. Deep jet pumps are a lot more powerful, and they are able to serve wells as deep as 100 feet. Keep in mind the deeper the well is, the harder the motor has to work.
Both types of jet pumps can be beneficial to access, since they are offset from the well. This makes it easier to get to if repairs are needed. They are very susceptible to damage from sand, so keep this in mind if you live in an area with sandy soil.
Jet pumps not only work for the plumbing system of your home, but they can also be utilized for irrigation systems and gardening.
Why Purchase Your Well Pump From Your Well Service Provider
Why is it important to purchase your well pump from a licensed provider? There are times when the manufacturer will void your pump warranty, if there is no proof the part was purchased and/or installed by a licensed provider. That’s right! It’s times like this when DIY can really bite you in the rear…
Here at Carolina Well & Pump, we are masters in well pump repair and installation. We are licensed with the state of North Carolina, and we are fully insured. If you use us to install your well pump, you will have the peace of mind that the work done will come backed by the manufacturer’s warranty. You will never be left in a bind, and we hold ourselves to high standards by backing our work to protect your best interests.
What Size of Well Pump Do You Need?
(gallons per minute and PSI ratings – pump power for consistent flow)
To decide what size of well pump is best, you must first consider the depth of your well. If you will be using a well deeper than 25 feet, centrifugal and shallow well pumps are your best bet. If it is less than 25 feet, you have an abundance of choices available.
It is important to calculate how much water you will need. Pumps are rated in gallons per minute (GPM). The average 3-4 bedroom home calls for 8-12 GPM. You can roughly estimate this number by adding 1 GPM to any fixture that requires water in your home.
With over a decade of experience in well pumps, Carolina Well & Pump can help you decide which pump option is best for you.
How Do I Prime My Well Pump?
After installation, your well must be primed in order to function correctly. Most well pumps are self-primed, so typically they only need primed at the time of installation. This is assuming the pump, piping, valves, and fittings have all been installed properly. Of course, we don’t recommend DIY-ing this process, for this very reason. At Carolina Well & Pump, we are professionals and know this process like the back of our hand. We know how to add water to the pump casing to begin the priming process. We know how to install a check or foot valve, so that you never lose suction and have to prime it again. And, we will follow all the steps of pump priming appropriately:
- Turn the pump off, and make sure it is disconnected from electrical outlets.
- Inspect the pump connectors for any damage or cracks.
- Identify and remove the prime plug.
- Open release valves, to prevent a build-up of pressure.
- Run water through a lead-free hose, making sure you have enough water to fill the pump housing.
- Use the hose to fill the pump casing with water, until it exits the prime plug and relief valves. Replace the prime plug. If you use the well pump for drinking water, you need to use clean water to fill the tank. (In other words, the water source you use to fill the casing needs to match the well pump application.)
- Reconnect the pump, then run it through a regular cycle. If it starts and stops properly, close the relief valves.
- Repeat the process as needed.
