Do you want to install a submersible pump for your home and are wondering about the right depth? If you rely on a well for supplying water to your household, you must have the right type of pump to sustain your water needs. A submersible pump is a good choice, but you need to be precise when installing it so that it works properly. Below, we will discuss the right depth for installing submersible pumps.
At what depth submersible pump should be installed? When it comes to installing submersible pumps, the depth of the well plays a role. The pump should be placed at about ten to twenty feet up from the bottom of the well. Avoid placing the pump directly at the bottom of the well especially for low-yield wells because it can create cascading water situations and can also lead to additional sediment build-up in the cavity of the well.
Can you put a submersible pump underwater? What is pump setting depth? How do I choose a submersible pump? These are some of the things that we will discuss. If you are thinking about installing a submersible pump for your home, check out the rest of this article for more tips and information.
What is Pump Setting Depth?
Pump setting depth is the depth on where to place the pump. To determine the correct pump size, you first need to find out the proper depth setting for a submersible well. Submersible pumps are designed with long cylinders that are attached to a water delivery pipe. It can be placed hundreds of feet below the well’s water level. Typically, submersible pumps are placed twenty feet from the bottom of the well. However, it can be placed higher if the standing water height is near the surface of the well.
Can You Put a Submersible Pump Under Water?
You can put a submersible pump underwater. These types of pumps are made to be placed underwater and they come with long insulated power cords. Some of them have power cords that are as long as fifty feet. The long power cord makes it easy to plug the pump even if the power connection is far away.
Submersible Pump Depth
The type of pump that you need will have to depend on the depth of your well. You can choose between pumps that are installed deep inside the well and push water to the surface or pumps that pull water. Once you determine the right type of pump, a holding or pressure tank that is placed adjacent to the pump will make sure that there is continuous water delivery from the well to your home. Take note that if the pump does not match the depth of the water on the well, the pump cycle will turn on or off. As a result, this will shorten the life span of the pump and will also and add to your electric bills.
✅ Video – How Deep Should a Submersible Pump be Set after Drilling a Well
Wendell Lee Well Services shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses how deep a submersible pump is set after drilling a well. Watch the video for more tips and information.
What Size of Well Pump Do I Need?
Determining the size of the pump is also very important. The size of the pump will have to depend on the amount of water that your home needs. Pumps are rated in gallons per minute. Usually, a house with three to four bedrooms will need 8-12 gallons per minute. When you are deciding on the amount of water that your home requires, make sure that you add one gallon per minute for every water fixture that you have in your home. These fixtures will include dishwashers, faucets, clothes washers, showers, sprinklers, and refrigerators. While you will need a large-sized pump that will meet your home water needs, installing an oversized pump will not only result in energy inefficiencies but will also reduce the performance of the pump.
Contrary to what a lot of people believe, you do not need a certain horsepower for a pump. Pumps are usually chosen by the flow rate and horsepower that is required. You can also select a pump by determining its design point. In general, the design point of the pump includes the flow rate needed as well as the amount of pressure that the pump requires to produce. To find out the right pump for your home, make sure to specify the amount of flow and pressure needed rather than the horsepower that is required for the motor. Bear in mind that there are pumps that may be efficient and can provide the flow and pressure with less power. Hence, it needs a lower horsepower motor.
How Do I Choose a Submersible Pump?
The material, power cord length, pressure and horsepower, extra features, and price are some of the things that you need to consider when choosing a submersible pump. You can find a wide array of submersible pumps that are used for slurry, sewage, and drainage pumping. Sewage pumps and sump pumps are two of the most common pumps used by homeowners. These pumps are designed with specialized motors to make sure that no water will enter the pump while it is being pumped. Most pumps are usually in a sealed compartment that is filled with oil. These pumps use electricity so you need to be careful when using them.
Material
One of the first things that you need to consider when choosing a submersible pump is the material. Make sure that you opt for a pump that has a casing made with non-corrosive alloy. Stay away from materials that easily rust. The popular choices are those that are made with bronze alloy or stainless steel because they are highly durable and can last for a long time.
Power Cord Length
You also need to consider the length of the power cord when choosing a submersible pump. Do not use an extension cord for a submersible pump because it can lead to short circuits. Aside from that, it can also potentially start a fire. Decide on the length of the cord Depending on the purpose and positioning of the submersible pump. You can find pumps with power cords that vary from 2 to 25 feet.
Prices
Make sure to check and compare the prices of submersible pumps that are offered by different manufacturers. On the other hand, take note that an affordable price will not guarantee a durable and long-lasting product. You can read reviews and feedback from those that have already used the product. Some brands provide high-quality and durable products but with a price that is slightly higher than the rest. Aside from that, choose a submersible pump that has a warranty of parts or services so that you can get a good deal from the money that you have paid.
Extra Features
Another thing that you need to consider is the extra features that submersible pumps have. There are different additional features that make the pump stand out among the rest. Make sure that you check these extra features when you compare products and their prices. You can also check out this article that discusses if a submersible pump runs without water. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Pressure and Horsepower
The pressure and horsepower that submersible pumps have is also something that you need to consider as it makes drainage or pumping easier. These pumps are equipped with the right sucking power and do not need external air pressure when they run. Moreover, check the pressure, discharge size, horsepower, and expulsion flow of the pump. Submersible pumps nowadays are designed to be heavy-duty and need less maintenance.
How Long Will a Submersible Well Pump Last?
With proper use and maintenance, submersible well pumps can last up to ten years. Take note that the lifespan of the submersible pump will have to depend on the maintenance, care, and use that it gets. The amount of water that a submersible pump needs to produce will also affect how long it will last. You can also read this article titled, does a submersible pump need a pressure tank? We have discussed the importance of having a pressure tank for your pump.
How Do You Size a Deep Well Pump?
To size a deep well pump, you need to calculate the gallons per minute of water that is needed for your home. It is recommended that you size a submersible well pump according to fixture count. This will have to include the fixtures and faucets that a home has. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can dump water into a well. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed at what depth a submersible pump should be installed. We have found out that the depth of the well will affect how deep the pump will be installed. If you depend on your well for the water in your home, make sure that you properly choose and install a submersible pump. Submersible pumps are the best solution when it comes to low water pressure because it is made of highly efficient motors that allow water to reach pipes and tanks. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about submersible pumps. Thank you for reading!