Well pump replacement in southern NH: what to expect

When a pump in a drilled bedrock well fails, the usual fix around here is replacing a submersible pump that hangs deep in the well. Older or shallow wells sometimes use a jet pump in the basement instead.

Signs it may be time

• The pump runs but delivers little or no water.
• The breaker trips repeatedly.
• Sputtering or air in the lines.
• Higher electric bills from a pump that never seems to shut off.
• Age: a quality submersible in a good well often lasts 12–20 years; budget pumps can fail much sooner (The Well Guide).

Submersible vs. jet pumps

Submersible pumps sit down in the well and push water up. They’re standard in drilled bedrock wells, which is what most homes in our towns have. Jet pumps sit above ground and pull water up, so they only work for shallow wells, such as some older dug wells.

What a replacement typically includes

• Pulling the drop pipe and wire out of the well.
• A new pump, and often new wire, check valve and torque arrestor if the old ones are the same age.
• Resetting the pump, checking the pressure switch and tank, and testing pressure.
• Some jobs also replace the pressure tank or switch.

Ask any quote to list each item, whether the pipe and wire are being replaced, and the pump brand and warranty (The Well Guide). After any work on your well, it’s a good time to test your water. NHDES recommends private well users test regularly (NHDES).

What drives the cost

Mostly depth. Every extra 100 feet adds pipe, wire and labor. Horsepower, constant-pressure systems and emergency or weekend timing matter too. See our NH cost guide.