Which Pump is Right for Me?

Hello All,

I am a gal new to the country and all that it entails (septic and well). My jet pump has begun to make an awful squall and needs to be replaced. I have had three estimates (and opinions) and am thoroughly confused.

A little info: I have a drilled deep well (2 pipes in the basement). I am told it is approximately 100 feet deep with the water level 10-20 feet below ground level. It has a 4" casing and is located about 100 feet from the house.

I am told, for better efficiency, and because of the distance, the only way to go is a submersible. One contractor recommends a 1/2 hp Sta-Rite 4", which he maintains will last up to 20 years if pressure in the tank (proposed 44 gal/ 10 gal drawdown) is maintained once a year. The second contractor says that a 3" Grundfos is preferable, that after a few years the 4" pump will possibly be unremovable due to the tight fit and inevitable buildup, resulting in a new well having to be drilled. The third contractor says just replace the jet pump. It has done a good job so far.......

So here I am....do I buy a longer lasting 4" submersible that may never come out again? Or buy a 3" that is more expensive, has a shorter life span, but will certainly be able to be replaced? Or just replace the jet pump and forget the whole submersible thing altogether? Any honest opinion here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Pat

 

i just pulled a 4inch submersible pump that has been in the well for at least 20 years with no problems. just my 2 cents .if the jet pump works for you i would just replace the pump and be happy.

 

Just last year, I had to replace an old pump which turned into drilling a new well and installing 5" PVC casing. I originally had a 4" cast iron casing that was approximately 30 years old. The pumped burned out and I had a professional come out to "replace" it. Well, that didn't work out the way we planned. The casing rusted so much that the pump couldn't be removed, even with a truck crane! Needless to $4000+ later I have a new well and pump (4" - 3/4 horse).

I suggest to replace your pump with what you have. I wouldn't use the 4" pump.

Although it costed me to have a new well drilled, the quality of my water is significantly better. I don't have all the rust I had before, and I won't ever have a problem with trying to replace the new pump. Nor will any else who buys the house from me.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck!!

 

Hi Pat,
I've been selling pumps for awhile now, and I would never make a claim that a pump will last 20 years. Starite is a good pump, and pumps have been known to last that long, but to make a claim like that....well, lets just say he's trying to make a selling point.
If the deep well setup has been working for you, then I would recommend that you stay with it. Besides, that squall you're hearing is probably a motor bearing, and motors can be replaced without replacing the whole pump. However, if your pump is old, it might be worth it to change it out completely. Keep in mind that if you elect to change the whole pump, you'll need to change the ejector, which is down in the well. Pumps and ejectors must be matched.
Ron

 

Hello again,

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Specifically to Ron (Pumpman) and the other experts out there- the pump I have, I'm told, is the original to the house, and indeed the manufacture plate states 1976- the house was built in 1977. I'm also told it was the cheapest and least powerful pump available at the time (Aermotor H76 CVJ-50) One contractor that came out was "amazed" that it has lasted 29 years. Perhaps it has been rebuilt??

If I am to understand you, you are recommending that I stay with a jet pump? Sorry to be so dense, but as previously mentioned, I am new to this and only know what I have read here and what I have been told by three different contractors. Honestly, I trust the experts on this forum more, you aren't trying to "sell" me something. Your help is invaluable and very much appreciated!

In light of the age of my pump, do you recommend I install a new one- perhaps a Myers HJ with brass impellers? What horsepower would you install for my application? Does replacing the ejector create the same risks as installing a submersible? Are ejectors frequently "stuck" too?

And if I go with a new pump, should I replace my tank (X-trol with a 5 gal drawdown in good repair) so that the pump doesn't have to run as frequently?

Thanks a million!
Pat

 

Aermotor has been around along time. I've never really heard anything bad about them.
Since the pump is that old, I would go ahead and replace it. Replacement parts are going to be an issue, if they are not already.
Anyway, I did recommend that you stay with the deep well setup. I'm an old advocate of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule. There shouldn't be any problem with pulling the ejector and pipes out of the well. As far as the Myers HJ pump with brass impeller, I don't have any problem with them.
I don't know enough about your system to try and size the pump. That Aermotor CVJ-50 is probably a 1/2 horsepower, just judging by the model number.
Find a pump/well contractor that you trust, ask him all the questions you need answers to, and remember that you're paying him to do what you what done.
Ron

 

Ron,

You are a saint- bless you! I'll be on the phone in the morning......and will let you know how it all turns out.

PS- Wouldn't you love to have just a fraction of the money you save all us unknowing folks?

Thanks!
Pat