How Long Does a Well Pump Last?

Last Updated on December 13, 2022 by Mattias

Having your well is fantastic. You don’t need to care about water bills, which can be a pain when having city water.

But what you should care about is your well pump. Because if your pump isn’t working, you won’t have any water.

In this article, we will answer the question, “how long does a well pump last.” We will also go through:

• What kind of pumps are there
• Signs that your pump must be replaced
• How to make your pump last for a longer time

Let’s dig in, shall we?

What Is a Well Pump?

A well pump sends water from the underground into your home. The pump is installed after drilling or digging a well.

A pump is driven by an electric motor that pushes the water to your storage tank, which stores it for later use.

3 Types of Well Pumps

There are different types of well pumps, all suitable for different needs.

1. Submersible Pumps

A submersible pump is perhaps the most common well pump type due to its flexibility. These pumps are suitable for almost all kinds of wells, even shallow wells.

A submersible well pump won’t work properly unless it’s completely underwater .

The well pump motor gives power to impellers, which pushes the water up in the pipe.

2. Jet Pumps

A jet well pump can be used to transport water from both shallow and deep wells. A single-pipe system is used for shallow wells to draw water for wells as deep as 25 feet. 

On the other hand, a deep well needs to have a two-pipe system and can draw water from more than 100 feet underground. 

3. Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal well pumps use centrifugal force to pump the water. It’s primarily used for agricultural or industrial purposes. This is a good choice if your well is less than 25 feet deep.

Read also: How Fast Does Well Water Replenish? An Easy Explanation

How Long Does a Well Pump Last?

The average life expectancy of a well pump is 8-15 years. But the life of your well pump comes down to a number of factors:

The Quality Of The Components

Sometimes it’s better to buy the more expensive choice. If you’re buying a cheap pump, it will have cheap parts installed, and your pump’s lifespan will be affected. I’m not telling you to buy the most expensive one, just a brand you can trust.

Water Quality

If the water you’re pumping up is crystal clear and pure, your well pump will have the longest life expectancy. However, that isn’t the case since sand and sediment are commonly found in well water.

For the most part, a screen is installed to keep the water sediment out. But too much sediment entering your well pump can hurt the pump components.

Water Temperature

Some pumps got components that can’t handle high temperatures. This makes it essential to look after a well pump that can stand high temperatures if you live in a hot place.

Electrical Supply Quality

The motors life needs to have a good quality of your electrical supply. If the voltage is too high or too low, it can decrease the lifespan of the motors life a lot. Even frequent power losses, phase losses, and phase imbalances can harm your motor.

If you live in a place with electricity losses, you may need an additional power supply. To keep your motor safe. Because without the motor, you can’t get any water, simple as that.

The Well Pump Duty Cycle

A well pump duty cycle is how often the pump runs through the day. Mostly, less than 10% during a 24-hour period. A well pump doesn’t pump water 24/7. It runs on your demand.

So when the water level drops in your pressure tank, the pump turns on, to keep the tank filled with water, so you can use it when needed.

The pump stops pumping water when the pressure is restored, mostly after you close the tap. How long the pump duty cycle last depends on different factors like the strength of the pump, pumping capacity, and output rate.

But the lifespan of a well pump will reduce if the water usage is heavy.

6 Signs That Your Pump Must Be Replaced 

Low Water Pressure

If your well water pressure is low, it can be a problem with your pressure switch or pressure tank. It can also be because of higher water usage than usual or a crack in the pipes or pressure tank.

Sometimes there can be a clogged well screen due to iron bacteria. To get rid of this, you should take the help of a professional.

When private well systems are installed, the design is based on how much the well owner is using.

This means if you add anything extra after, like a pool, for example, you may need a new well pump. Since the old one may not be powerful enough for your ” unique” needs. 

Water Sediment

Sometimes the pump could get more sediment, which can make your clean water dirty. This can happen because off:

• The sediment screen has degraded

• The Water table is low

If you’ve had rainfall but still don’t notice any difference, you may need to dig a deeper well or buy a new screen. Your well may have runned dry.

Pump Runs Frequently

If your pump seems to run without pausing you should contact a plumber directly. A well pump aren’t designed to run 24/7 and may burn if they do.

If your well pump is running without shutting off, it can be a sign that there’s a leak somewhere in your water system. 

High Electric Bills

If your electricity bills are higher than normal, it can be a sign that your pump is running more than normal. It can be hard to hear the pump since they are quiet, but if you can hear a sound, you don’t recognize, you should call a professional for help. 

No Water

If you don’t get any water from your taps, it may be something wrong with your pump.

Look and see if the circuit breaker has tripped. If it has, just flip it back and if it keeps tripping, you may have an electrical problem with your pump.

Call an electrician and see if there’s any electrical problem. 

Air In The Pipes

If air is pressence in your pipes, it may be a sign that the pump is over the water line. If your pump keeps being there, it may burn out. Whenever you find air coming out from the taps, you should definitely call a plumber to get it inspected. 

How to Extend the Lifespan Of A Water Well Pump

So “how long does a well pump last?”, well it depends, but if you take care of it you may not need a new one for a long time. Let’s find out how you can make it last for a longer time.

Get Anually Inspections

By getting inspections annually, you can discover problems with your well pump before they happen. Or even prevent them from happening in some cases. 

Keep An Eye On The Pressure Tank

Try to keep an eye on your pressure tank, so the switch works as it should and gives you the water pressure you need.

If the swith isn’t performing, the pressure tank takes the hit and can’t hold enough water, which can lead to problems with your pump since the pump will work harder just to replenish the pressure tank. 

Pump Maintenance

Doing regular maintenance on your well pump is essential to ensure it works at its full capacity, which means changing components if they’re faulty or just worn. If you don’t know how to do this, hire a professional.

Buy And Install High-Quality Components

Buying a high-quality pump can be a good idea. The pump is meant to last for a long time and must be able to handle the pressure and your daily water use.

But there are other things to keep in mind. Like the components in your system:

• The check valve
• Pressure tank
• Float switch
• Piping material

Just try to ensure that every part in your system, can do its purpose and if you do that. You will have a system and a pump that will last a long time. 

Buy And Install a Sediment Filter

If your well pump is exposed to high levels of sediment, it can lose 5 years of its lifetime. This means that installing a sediment filter can be a very good idea.

A sediment filter will protect your pump, pressure tank, pipes, and motor by removing dirt, sand, dust, rust, and other particles from the water that can harm your well pump. 

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Well Pump?

The average cost to replace a well pump is between $900 and $2,750.

The cost for a well pump replacement comes down to serval factors, all from the water to what kind of equipment you need. Sometimes older parts don’t fit, and the cost of repairing a pump can even be more expensive than buying a new one.

If you’re drawing water from a deep well, look at a submersible pump with a good motor. The installation cost will probably be between $500-$2000.

How Hard Is It to Replace a Well Pump?

Replacing your well pump by yourself isn’t an easy job and you should hire a professional if you don’t know how to do it. It can be a quite strenuous process depending on how deep your well is. 

How Long Does A Well Pump Last Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article and can have a well pump that will last it’s fully lifetime capacity.