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A Guide to Removing a Utah Submersible Well Pump

Four generations of experience installing, maintaining and
repairing wells throughout Utah and Wyoming.
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While most clients are naturally concerned with a well pump should be properly installed, there are also some situations where removing a submersible pump will be needed. Whether for repairs or possibly to install a different or upgraded pump type, there are several such settings where this may be required. 

At Mike Zimmerman Well Service, we’re here to help with all your Utah water well pump needs, including any situation where removal might be necessary. What are some of the reasons why this might be the case for your well, and which steps should be followed – either on your own or by our professionals – when carrying this process out? Here are some basics.

removing submersible well pump

Reasons for Submersible Well Pump Removal

Firstly, what are some of the reasons why this might be necessary? Perhaps you are looking to replace your pump entirely due to age, or because of a malfunction that can’t be fixed anymore. Maybe you’re considering an upgrade to a different type of well pump, such as one with more power or efficiency.

In any case, the need for removal usually arises either when repairs or upgrades are needed, or when the pump has become too old to function properly anymore.

Can You Do This Yourself?

In some cases, such as if your well is under 150 feet in depth and uses PVC pipe, it may be acceptable for those without training to perform removal on their own. However, there are a few key risks you should be aware of if you’re going this route:

  • Weight: Even smaller submersible pumps can be very heavy, weighing 150 pounds or even more. This makes them difficult to lift out of the well with manual tools, and you should not attempt it without assistance from others if possible.
  • Depth: Even when weight is not an issue, deeper wells may be beyond what can be reached by normal ladders or other tools. A professional water well service team will have the right equipment for deeper pulls.
  • Safety: The job of removing a submersible pump can be dangerous. Besides the risk of falls, there are also a few other potential issues to consider: electric shock, water damage, and more. Professional technicians can take these precautions into account when lifting out the pump.

In most cases, however, it’s strongly recommended that you call a professional, experienced water well service team like Mike Zimmerman Well Service in order to ensure that the job is done safely and with minimal risk. Our technicians have the right equipment and experience to perform this kind of work quickly and efficiently, while also being mindful of safety protocols.

Our next few sections will go over the simple steps typically followed to carry this job out.

Power Shut-Off

First and foremost, before any work can be done, the power to the well pump must be turned off. This is a critical safety step that should never be ignored. The power shut-off switch or fuse should be located at the main panel and clearly labeled for easy identification.

If you are performing this process on your own and notice that there are no labels on the main panel, you should call a professional water well service team to help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry in these cases.

Well Cap Removal, T-Handle Insertion

Once the power has been shut off, the next thing to do is to remove the well cap. For most wells, this involves simply unscrewing it until it can be lifted away. In some other cases, bolts may need to be loosened or a wrench may be required.

Once the cap has been removed, you will typically insert a T-handle into the pipe attached to the well casing. This is necessary for later pulling the pump out from below – without it, the pipe may come off and cause a lot of extra work.

Pulling the Pump Out

Once the T-handle or other tool is in place, the next step is to pull the submersible pump out. This should be done slowly and steadily, with even pressure applied all around. If possible, it’s best to have another person help you out during this process – as mentioned earlier, bigger pumps may be too heavy for one person alone.

Once the pump is out, the last step is to disconnect any wiring and take off any fittings or pipes. After that, you can consider your job finished!

As always, safety should be your top priority while performing this task – no matter if it’s done by yourself or a professional service team like Mike Zimmerman Well Service. Even with proper precautions, there is always a risk of falls or other accidents when removing a pump from the well. As such, we recommend you take all necessary steps to ensure your safety before beginning. If in doubt, call us and let our experienced technicians handle it!

For more on water well services and associated tasks, please do not hesitate to contact us. Mike Zimmerman Well Service is here to help with whatever work you need done on your Utah well or well pump, and we’re standing by to take your call.