Homes that aren’t connected to municipal water systems use a well pump for their plumbing. Depending on how deep underground available water sources are near your home, there are several options for which kind of well pump you might want to use. While all of the different well pump types have their benefits, they also have their own unique set of functions to consider. It helps to familiarize yourself with the different types of well pumps so you can choose the right one for your home.
Shallow Well Pumps
If your home has a stable supply of water near the surface or a high water table (no deeper than 25 feet), you’ll likely want to go with a shallow well pump. They rely heavily on air pressure to do most of their work. Shallow well pumps simply pull from the water source to which they are connected and send that water through to the plumbing in your home. Because of their low power usage, they are very reliable and have a typical life span of 15 years.
The most commonly used shallow well pump, single-drop jet pumps, are small and require minimal power to run. They use a single pipe that’s directly connected to the water source beneath your home. This well pump runs on a small motor that creates suction in its singular internal jet system to help the water make its way into your home. The motor also sits above-ground, allowing quick access for maintenance and repairs.
Convertible Jet Pumps
For homes whose water sources are found between 25 and 110 feet below-ground, the convertible jet pump would be a better choice. As far as how it works is concerned, convertible jet pumps are not so different from shallow well pumps. Their main difference is instead of using one pipe to pull water into your plumbing system, they use two pipes. One pipe is for pulling water up into the well pump, the other is for shooting that water through to your plumbing system. This increases the water pressure so that the well water from the deeper water source makes its way into your home efficiently.
Double-drop jet pumps are a form of convertible jet pump. Unlike the single-drop jet pump, which uses a single pipe to draw water up through its jet assembly and to your home, double-drop pumps’ jet assemblies are housed in the water source to which they are connected. This helps in creating more water pressure from the source since the water is deeper below-ground. In turn, it takes less suction and air pressure to drive your water supply from the well pump to your home. Though the system is a bit more complex, the motor is still above-ground and easy to access, and their life span is similar to that of the single-drop jet pump.
Deep Well Submersible Pumps
Perhaps the most common well pump of all, deep well submersible pumps can be used for water sources from any depth, though they’re built more for deeper water sources. Unlike their shallow well and convertible jet counterparts, deep well submersible pumps push water rather than pull water from its source. The pump sits directly in the water source and has to be completely covered by the water to function. This allows water to be pushed from the well pump to your plumbing system from as deep as 400 feet. While maintenance is a bit more complicated on these systems, they are also largely resistant to leaks (due to hermetic sealing) and highly reliable and have an average lifespan of up to 25 years.
Choosing the Right Well Pump
Learning about the different types of well pumps will help you determine what might be the right choice for you and your home. Is your water source not very far below-ground? Is it deeper than most? Is it really deep? Finding the answers to those questions will help you make a more informed decision when the time comes.
A1 Well Drilling & Pump Service is here to help you answer those questions as well. With over 40 years of industry experience, you can trust our technicians to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re in need of a brand new well pump or a timely repair, A1 can make it happen. So don’t leave it up to chance; let the professionals do the hard work. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or service!
