How to Clean a Submersible Well Pump

A submersible well pump is an efficient and convenient device to own, especially for people who live beyond the boundaries of their city’s water system. It provides rural dwellers a means to obtain water in fulfilling the needs of everyday life.

These well pumps come in different sizes and capacities to meet the user’s demands. These submersible well pumps need to be cleaned every once in a while to ensure a steady flow of water, especially if it is not a self-cleaning pump.

Step 1 - Turn off the Pump’s Main Electrical Connection

You need to turn off the main electrical switch for your submersible well pump. This will ensure your safety by eliminating the hazard of an electric shock while you are removing and cleaning the pump.

Step 2 - Pump Removal

This may be a difficult process especially if your pump is big or if your well is quite deep. You need to go down and manually remove the pump. With the help of another person, who stays above the ground or well, that person will be the one to pull the rope to which the pump is tied. As the person above slowly lifts the pump, you will assist by steadily going up as the pump is lifted out and ensure that the pump is not damaged by the process.

Step 3 - Identify the Water Inlet

The water inlet looks like a screen that filters debris from getting into the pump. At times, the water inlet may not be visible due to the moss and debris sticking to it. In most submersible well pumps, the water inlets are found midway between the top and bottom of the device.

Step 4 - Clean the Water Inlet

Once you have identified the water inlet, you can now start the cleaning process of your submersible water pump. The water inlet can get clogged due to vegetation debris, sand, and other garbage stuck to it causing a malfunction of the pump.

What needs to be done in cleaning the device is to slowly and manually remove the vegetation sticking to the water inlet. After that, you can start removing the moss by gently brushing the water inlet with a rag. You can use a brush to clean the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies of the water inlet.

Step 5 - Return the Water Pump

Once you are satisfied with the cleanliness of the water inlet, you can now proceed with returning the pump back to its place by once again going down the well and reinserting it to its original position. Ensure that you have a companion to slowly lower down the pump as you go down the well and reinsert it.

Step 6 - Check the Pump’s Functionality

The last step is to check whether the pump is functioning after you finish cleaning. Turn on the electricity and check if there is water being pumped out.