Clean Your Residential Well's Water Pump

If you have a small well installed on the farmland that you own and contaminants have been causing the well pump to become clogged, resulting in an uneven amount of water pressure when you turn on faucets inside of your home, remove the cover to the well and detach the pump before cleaning it. Afterward, take notice of the water pressure in your home and maintain the cleanliness of the water in the well by keeping the well covered at all times. 

Materials You Will Need

• adjustable wrench
• disposable gloves
• screwdriver
• filter or screen
• oxygenated bleach
• industrial detergent
• vinegar
• bucket
• scrub brush
• towels
• tube brush
• rubbing alcohol
• cotton swabs

Turn Off The Water Supply And Detach The Pump

Locate the main water valve and use your hand or an adjustable wrench to turn the water supply off. Remove the cover to the well and locate the water pump. Put on a pair of disposable gloves if the pump is several inches below the water line and you will need to dip your hands into the well. Use a screwdriver to loosen hardware that is holding the pump in place. Once the pump has been released, pull the part upwards and out of the well.

Place The Pump In A Cleaning Solution

Fill a bucket with water. Pour a small amount of oxygenated bleach, industrial strength detergent, and white vinegar into the bucket. Use your hands to mix the contents of the bucket. If the pump's filter or screen is dirty, remove the filter or screen from the base of the pump. Place the dirty items inside of the cleaning solution, along with the pump. After several minutes have passed, the residue that has hardened on the pump, filter, or screen will have loosened. Use a regular scrub brush or a tube brush to remove residue from each piece.

Treat Stains Before Securing The Filter

Remove the pump and filter or screen from the bucket. Use a water hose to rinse each part off. Replace the filter or screen at the base of the pump. If there are stains on the outside of the pump, pour a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab. Move the cotton swab firmly over stained surfaces. Rinse the pump off when finished. Remove the well's cover and line the water pump up in the location it was previously in.

Use a screwdriver and hardware to secure the water pump. Cover the well and turn on the water supply. Inspect the water pressure inside of your home to ensure that an even amount of water is being dispersed from each faucet. Contact a company that does repairs for wells for more information.