Some are fortunate enough to have a private well in their home. And if you’re one of them, well great for you! Having your own access to groundwater is advantageous in many ways. You don’t need to just rely on municipal water to provide your household water needs. You can draw water straight from your well.
Technologies like well pumps have made it easier for homeowners to draw water from their wells. With well pumps, the reliability of wells has increased over the years. Well pumps do the hard work for you. It draws water from the source and pumps it upward and into your household pipe system at a reliable pressure.
If you don’t have a good one, you should seriously consider investing in one. Or maybe you already have one. But are you so sure that you’re using the right well pump for your private well? WaterFiltersAdvisor blog post about shallow well pumps talk about many of their features and functions for homeowners to learn.
What is a Shallow Well Pump?
A shallow well pump is designed specifically for shallow wells. If your house well is not too deep, then you may have better use for a shallow well pump. What would be considered shallow for a well? Typically, if you have 25 feet or less for a well depth, you can opt for a shallow well pump.
What are the Uses of Well Pumps Anyway?
There are advantages to having a good well pump. Owners can rely on these equipments for several tasks like:
- Collecting large volumes of water
- Moving well water to large storage tanks and possible into water coolers
- Drawing drinking and household water
- Filling your house swimming pool with water
- Irrigating your field or garden
- Draining excess water in ponds, ditches, and areas where water may collect in times of heavy rain or flooding.
Are Shallow Well Pumps Efficient?
Yes, shallow well pumps are efficient.
- These are easier to install.
- They are easier to maintain.
- Well pumps are more versatile compared with other types.
- You can find more affordably priced well pumps.
- Some can run manually, meaning, you don’t have to use electricity or a generator.
What Features Should you Look for in a Shallow Well Pump?
In deciding which well pump to buy, you should consider the following features:
- A heavy-duty build. This way, your well pump will take longer to breakdown and deteriorate.
- An auto shut-off feature. This helps protect your motor from fluctuations or power surges and overheating.
- A dual voltage. This lets you easily switch between different power types.
- A quiet operation. It would be great if you can get one that makes low noise at a good price. It makes for a more peaceful and pleasant environment in general.
- A powerful motor. This feature gives you a decent flow rate without risks of overloading your well pump motor.
- A built-in pressure gauge and switch. This gives you easy access to the switch and to pressure level information.
- A lightweight feature. This way you can move your shallow well pump for other tasks.
How do Shallow Well Pumps Operate?
These types of pumps work the same way as all well pumps do. They move groundwater up and into your house water supply system such as to your kitchen faucet. Those with shallow wells can opt for the shallow well pump since their wells are not too deep.
This a money-saving option because shallow well pumps run relatively cheaper on purchase costs and maintenance costs compared to deep well pumps.
Did you know that shallow well pumps don’t get wet? You don’t have to submerge these in water. The pumping mechanism usually connects to a plastic pipe. This plastic pipe channels the water. And it has a valve that directs water flow towards one direction.
If you’re wondering if the pumped water may tend to flow back to the source. Well, no, it’s set for one direction, which is always away from the water source.
Lastly, shallow well pumps utilize atmospheric pressure so it gives a good pump. So water goes into your household at a good rate.
Do Shallow Well Pumps Cost Pretty Much the Same?
No. Prices can vary greatly. But there are a lot of models to choose from in the affordable range. Companies use a variety of material constructs for their shallow well pumps. But you can ordinarily see cast iron and steel among units. More sophisticated and feature-packed models will definitely cost higher. It’s up to you to prioritize between quality and price.
What Advantages and Drawbacks Should You Expect in Having a Shallow Well Pump?
There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a shallow well pump. Here are some of them.
Pros
- Sizes are usually compact. This makes them easy to place.
- Weight is not too heavy. This makes them an easy carry especially in times of emergencies or disasters.
- The system is not too complex so you score low maintenance costs.
- Shallow well pumps are relatively cheaper than deep well pumps.
Cons
- You can buy a unit that’s too low on power and pumps lesser amounts than what you’re used to with deep well pumps.
- Shallow well pumps have limited capabilities compared with deep well pumps. That’s why you need to make sure to use it on shallow wells only.
- Some motors overheat easily.
What’s a Decent Choice in Getting a Shallow Well Pump?
You’d want to go as cheap as you can but you’d also want a decent pump from your shallow well pump. Most agree that 8 to 12 GPM is pretty decent for four-bedroom houses. Just check labels and reviews for actual flow rate and power performance. One priority would be protection from overload and overheating. Having this feature will greatly extend the life of your shallow well pump.
BottomLine – Why You Need a Shallow Well Pump
If you have a deep well, a shallow well pump would be of little use to you. Shallow well pumps are options for private well owners who don’t have a deep well. If you want to try a more affordable well pump that’s easier to install, operate, and maintain, consider a shallow well pump for your next buy. Prices can range from affordable to highly expensive. So you get to decide what features you prioritize in having. Then go as far up you can comfortably go with your finances.