How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Well Pump Foot Valve?

If you live outside of a city, there’s a good chance you get your water from a well. As your own personal water supply, you will not need to pay for this utility. However, there are maintenance costs associated with getting your water from a well.

The cost to replace a well pump foot valve can be anywhere from $200-$5,000. The cost of a foot valve itself can range from $15 to $150, based on size and material. On average, the cost of a well pump foot valve is around $30.

Additionally, the installation cost is very variable, depending on the depth of your well. For a shallower well, the cost will most likely be less than $1,000. For a deeper well of at least one hundred feet, the cost can be much higher.

Plastics and PVC are great options for many people for their well pump foot valve. This is because plastic is very lightweight and affordable. However, in some cases, metals are needed.

You might need a metal well pump foot valve if there are certain pressures or temperatures that the plastics cannot handle. Also, metals are preferred in cases where there may be a chemical component in the water. The reason for this is that plastic is not as chemical-resistant and, therefore, will wear down more quickly.

Now that you have the cost of the foot valve itself, it is time to understand the cost of the replacement. As previously noted, this cost varies greatly depending on the specifics of your well. Because the foot valve sits at the bottom of the well pump, it can be hard to access.

The average depth of a residential well is 150 feet. Deeper wells typically range from one to four hundred feet. However, it is also possible to have a shallow well if your groundwater is close to the surface. Jet pumps are often used with shallow wells, whereas submersible pumps can be used deeper.

If your well is very shallow, it will be easy to replace the foot valve. If your well is very deep, it will be very expensive to get to the foot valve’s location. Below is a chart showing the price range based on the depth of your well.

There are a few other situations you may run into when attempting to replace your foot valve. These problems can make it more difficult to access the well pump foot valve. As a result, the cost of installation will increase, too.

It is possible that the well piping can get cluttered with debris if it is no longer properly protected for some reason. Over time, the piping can also start to corrode and wear down. Either of these problems could make it more difficult to retrieve the well pump out of the ground.

Replacing corroded piping in your well can cost around $200. If you need to replace any wiring in your well, this can also be about $200. Finally, replacing the well pump itself can cost $750 – $2,000 for the material cost alone.

While it is technically possible to do this replacement as a DIY project, it is not recommended. The easiest work, of course, would be for a shallow well. Anything deeper than 25 feet, and you will need special machinery to access the pump.

Additionally, it is important to hire a professional to properly assess your pump and well system. If there are any leaks or other problems in addition to the foot valve, a professional can catch these issues. As you have learned, a faulty or poorly maintained system can increase your energy bills drastically.

When you notice there is an issue with your water system, it is best to hire a professional. They can investigate, diagnose the issue, and provide a detailed quote of the recommended fix and associated costs. If you are a plumbing-savvy DIY enthusiast, you can also ask for advice and tips at this time.

There are four different types of well pumps that bring the water up to your home. They are a submersible pump, a jet pump, a turbine pump, and a cylinder pump. Regardless of the specific type you have, every well pump needs a foot valve.

A foot valve sits at the bottom of the well pump piping and prevents the water from moving in the wrong direction. It stops the water from flowing backward from the pump and back into the well whenever the pump shuts off.

This is a crucial tool in order to reduce the inefficiency of the water going back into the well. It also keeps the pump primed to start up again immediately when needed. Therefore, you should replace your well pump foot valve immediately when needed.

There are a few key signs that would indicate a bad well pump foot valve. Most importantly, if you see that your electric bills are higher than expected, this is a good sign. If the foot valve is leaking water back into the well, it has to work extra hard to move water forward.

Other signs can come from the water within your home. Two important signs are water sputtering when it first comes from the tap and fluctuating water pressures. As mentioned above, a leaky foot valve means the pump will not stay primed. As a result, the pump will take an extra moment to fill up when you first turn on the water.

There could be other causes of these problems, as well as other signs of a bad foot valve. However, these are some common examples that would lead you to investigate your pump system.

Related Questions

Can I use a check valve instead of a foot valve?

It is not recommended to use a check valve instead of a foot valve at the input of your well pump. Check valves are usually used at the discharge site to help maintain pressure. However, they are not as commonly used at the input site.Check valves are not ideal because they increase friction in the system more than foot valves. For this and other reasons, it is not recommended to include more than one check valve in a well pump system. Therefore, you should stick with a well pump foot valve instead.

How long should my well pump last for?

You can expect your well pump to last eight to ten years if properly maintained. A foot valve is a good way to protect your well pump and extend its lifespan. The foot valve keeps the pump primed, so it does not have to work as hard each time you want water. This reduces strain on the motor and will keep your pump in good health for longer.