Deepwater wells come with many potential benefits. Since well water relies on natural ground filtration, a deeper well is often much less susceptible to contamination from surface runoff. Deep wells also tend to be more reliable since they reach lower parts of the water table. This advantage means you're less likely to have your well dry out during dry periods.

Of course, a deeper well has one very significant drawback: higher labor costs. The farther down your well pump, the more challenging it is to conduct repairs or carry out a replacement. These increased costs can lead many homeowners to attempt do-it-yourself solutions, but working with a professional is typically the better option.

What Makes Deep Wells So Challenging?

Your home's well consists of several components, including an outer casing, drop pipe, electrical conduits, and several fittings, adapters, and other specialized parts. For shallow wells, the pump may only 20-30 feet below the surface. Working with these relatively low depths is less challenging and may be within the capabilities of a competent do-it-yourselfer.

On the other hand, deep wells typically go down over a hundred feet. Some wells may extend several hundred feet (or even one thousand feet or more!) beneath the surface. The deeper the well, the more challenges you will face when working on it. Remember that your pump is at the very bottom of your well, so you need to deal with the entirety of the pipe and wiring connecting it to the surface.

In the case of most deep wells, this means that removing the pump for inspection or replacement may require dealing with several hundred feet of drop pipe and conduit. Improperly removing these components may damage them or parts of the interior casing. You may even damage the pump itself, turning a repair into a replacement.

How Do Professionals Approach Submersible Pump Replacement?

One significant issue when removing a deep pump is the weight. Lifting several hundred feet of drop pipe and wiring is no easy task, so most professionals use specialized pump pullers to bring the pump to the surface quickly. These machines not only make lifting the drop pipe and pump much easier, but they also protect these items from damage.

More importantly, experienced plumbers can recognize when there's a problem during removal, allowing them to avoid potentially costly damage to your casing or other components. Since submersible pump replacement is already an expensive job, this can save you from making much more expensive repairs to your casing or drop pipe.

While you can save some money with many plumbing jobs by tackling them yourself, submersible pump replacement is often a task best left to the professionals. If you're experiencing a problem with your well pump, contacting a plumber with experience in well repair is the most cost-effective option over the long run.

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