- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about the cost to repair or replacer a well pump, pressure tank, or other water supply equipment
Expansion tank does not have to be replaced same time as water heater - commonly go 6-12 years and frequently longer between. The warranty department at Whirlpool tells me the water heater needs an expansion tank, and I was quoted a price of $575 to install one.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Water Tank Repair Costs:
This article describes typical costs for repairs to water pumps and well equipment to correct poor or lost well water pressure or to replace a damaged well pump.
The basics process of diagnosis and the costs of the repair are explained. We also discuss:
Cost for water pump replacement. Cost for well tank replacement. Cost for water pressure & flow repairs & improvements. Typical costs for well and pump repairs or improvements.
Consumer advice on saving money on well repair costs includes a review of the parts and labor costs of a typical well pump and pressure tank replacement case.
We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
Typical Well Pump & Water Tank Repair & Replacement Costs
The following is an actual case of a correspondent who lost water pressure and called a well and plumbing contractor whomade several repairs. At the end of the repair water pressure and supply were restored but the owner had a bit of'sticker shock' when he saw the bill. He wrote to ask our opinion.
Our reply, which follows the owner's note below, reviews the diagnosis, repair, and repair costs for this well pump and water tank replacement project.
We have a private well with the same components shown on your diagram (well pump, pressure tank, pressure switch etc..)We recently experienced loss of water pressure and actually a lack of any water flow at all from our faucets in our house.
As we waited 30 min to 1 hr, the water would return and run normal for several hours, only to return to no water again. This went on for about 24 hours.
We contacted the well contractor shown on our well cap. He quickly determine the bladder in the pressure tank was ruptured by just shaking the water tank.
After installing a new $600 dollar tank, the well contractor waited for the water pump to come on. It didn't. Then the contractor sold us a new well pump.
The total bill: $2000 and some change.
1. Is this a fair price for repair of a water pressure tank or pump or both? Did the contractor make the right repair? Was we overcharged?
2. Can we check his prognosis by inspecting the replaced tank and pump?
Were the well pump replacement and water pressure tank replacement costs reasonable?
The cost - sounds a bit steep if the pump was in the house but more plausible if the pump was a submersible in the well.
How can you check on the reasonableness of plumbing repair costs such as water tank and well pump replacement?
Most plumbers charge what seems to homeowners to be outrageous rates, but in fact plumbers, as a group, are more honorable than some presidents and certainly more so than some real estate agents.
- Proceed with caution, respect for, and tact towards the repair person. We often are most suspicious of the work and charges by people whose specialty is a mystery to us. Don't accuse the contractor of bad behavior unless you have clear and certain data.
By example: we just hired a plumbing contractor to put in a new main sewer line between a house and a septic tank. The site crew boss wrote up the job as 'install 70 ft. of waste line, house to tank'.
The plumbing contractor bills charges 'by the foot'. In this case we measured the line, which was a straight run of 48 feet.
We were able to ask that the bill be corrected to represent the more accurate case, not the site-man's 'guesstimate' at he length. - Check out water pressure tank and pump prices at Home Depot or Loews for the same type of tank and pump as you had installed.
Here are some Typical Water Pressure Tank Prices and Costs
Here are some Typical Water Well Pump Prices and Costs
Water pressure tank prices (online) run from about $80 (Sears® 42-gallon) to $150. to $750. (Well Mat™ or Well-X-Trol™) for the water pressure tank itself, not including installation cost.
Submersible well pump prices (online) run from about $200. to $300. (Flotec and Wayne) to $500 (Flint Walling/Star) to $870 (Grundfos® 30 GPM) In the building, a deep well 2-line jet pump is about $250. (Jacuzzi®) In the building, a shallow well jet pump prices run from a cost of about $150. to $200.
(Other special types of water pumps such as for groundwater can of course cost much more).
Some online advertisers promise low prices but won't publish them on the web. We never ever call nor deal with people who hide their prices as we assume that they're counting on high pressure sales tactics to close the deal and that later we will find we over-paid.
Save and examine plumbing parts that were removed for replacement
Look at the water pressure tank that was removed - it may be possible to open it and confirm for yourself that the bladder was shot.
A water pump that has been removed can be tested on a test bench; in some cases it is economical to bring a pump to an electric motor repair shop for analysis and repair.
Why don't people do this? There are not enough such shops around, and second, people don't want to wait a week with no water while their pump is being repaired.
Typical overall well pump and pressure tank replacement cost examples
The retail price for the parts alone depends on what you had installed but could run between $300. to $1400. This leaves your labor cost running between $1700 at the low parts-cost end to $600. at the high parts-cost end. If the pump was a submersible (in-well), the costs to pull well line and old pump and get the new one in place will be more than an in-building pump replacement.
In sum, depending on what types of equipment you had installed, the price might be right-on. Don't accuse your plumber of cheating you, but don't be afraid to ask for a more detailed explanation of the make-up of your bill.
How to check on the success and reliability - the 'prognosis' of a an expensive well pump and water pressure tank repair job
First of all, there should be no leaks, anywhere, on the equipment which was repaired. If something was left wet, wipe it off and check for leaks. We don't pay my plumber if s/he leaves her/his work leaking. We call the boss.
Second, everything worked-on should be working normally to your eye and ear.
An expert plumber or well contractor can check the operation of your system by a combination of observation and electrical testing, such as measuring the amperage draw on the well pump circuit during pump operation. If these parameters are in normal range you should be ok insofar as the equipment is concerned.Your repair person should have made these checks. Ask him or her.
If you have been in the home for several years you should have an idea whether or not you've had a history of the well running out of water.
You can understand more about your well and how the well itself is performing by noting its technical statistics such as well depth, water level, pump depth, static head, and well flow rate - topics we discuss at my website. If it is determined that you have a low-yield well, there are several solutions besides just drilling a new well - itself a shot in the dark.
Readers of this document should also see Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety. The illustration at left is courtesy of Carson Dunlop, Inc. in Toronto.
...
Continue reading at WATER TANK REPLACEMENT or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see WATER TANK REPAIR PROCEDURES
WATER TANK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home
Suggested citation for this web page
COSTS: WATER PUMP & TANK at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS
Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Try the search box below or CONTACT US by email if you cannot find the answer you need at InspectApedia.
Question: well service man says hire a well / pump installer not a plumber
First of all you should not hire a plumber to work on yourwell! You would not hire a well/pump installer to work onyour hot water heater or your toilet. As far as cost you cannotcompare some peice of junk at home depot or TSC, your notin the same park. - Well-Service-Man 1/13/2012
The comment from 'well service man' is spot on, and the article well writtenand informative. Thanks - Oregon homeowner 8/9/12
Reply:
Oregon,
If we read well service man to mean 'hire someone who knows what s/he is doing' I could not agree more.
But we should beware of self-serving advice. In at least some communities there are companies who have expertise in both well construction and building plumbing. So really, it depends ...
It makes sense to ask a contractor or repair person about the breadth and depth of their experience, training, and expertise.
If we read well service man to mean 'hire someone who knows what s/he is doing' I could not agree more.
But we should beware of self-serving advice. In at least some communities there are companies who have expertise in both well construction and building plumbing. So really, it depends ...
It makes sense to ask a contractor or repair person about the breadth and depth of their experience, training, and expertise.
Question: where to buy a rebuilt one or new well pump
Where can I find either a rebuilt one or a new well pump to buy? - Anonymous 8/29/12
Reply:
Start with your local well equipment & plumbing supplier; Also, in some communities you may find a company that offers well pump or electric motor rebuilding, offering rebuilt equipment that has been checked out and, hopefully warranted. Some well pump and tank brands and manufacturer information are listed at WATER TANK REPLACEMENT as well as in the REFERENCES section of this and other articles at InspectApedia.com.
Question: what will it cost to replace the 'top end' of the water system?
(July 13, 2014) Lisa in OK said:
We are buying a house from an individual. she had several people in the home at one time or another and then it set vacant for several years. She thinks the well needs the 'top end' replaced....I am not sure what that is or what it will cost... any idea?
We are buying a house from an individual. she had several people in the home at one time or another and then it set vacant for several years. She thinks the well needs the 'top end' replaced....I am not sure what that is or what it will cost... any idea?
Reply:
Lisa
I don't know what the seller means either. Since this is an important a d possibly costly component of a home ans as it would also be a stumbling block in obtaining a mortgage, you want a qualified well company to inspect, test, determine well adequacy and price out any repairs, equipment, sanitation issues, etc. before completing the purchase.
Question: pump runs longer than previously
(Oct 29, 2014) Jackie said:
The water pump is running longer than it used to....issues with the pressure tank or other possibilities?
The water pump is running longer than it used to....issues with the pressure tank or other possibilities?
Reply:
Try the diagnostics at WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING and let me know if questions remain.
...
Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...
Technical Reviewers & References
- Bad or No water pressure? See WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR for a step by step detailed guide to diagnosing and correcting bad water pressure or total loss of water pressure. Before changing a water pump or control, we need to know why the water pressure or water flow is poor. Also see our separate WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE in summary table form.
- Intermittent water pump cycling is discussed at Intermittent Water Pump Cycling When No Water is Running - this means that the water pump comes on for no apparent reason.
- Short cycling of a water pump means that the water pump turns on and off too rapidly or too frequently when water is being run in the building. See What Causes 'Water Pump Short Cycling' and Water Tank Repairs: Diagnose 'Water Pump Short Cycling'.
- Loss of water pressure means that the pressure with which water enters a plumbing fixture has become too slow, or is sometimes too slow or weak in water flow rate, or water flow may stop entirely. See Water Pump Problems? How to Diagnose & Repair Poor or No Water Pressure.
- Details on how to repair the water pump pressure control switch are discussed at How to Repair the Water Pump Pressure Control Switch The illustration at page top is courtesy of Carson Dunlop, Inc. in Toronto.
- How to boost water pressure in a building by installing a pressure booster pump and pressure tank is discussed in detail at WATER PRESSURE BOOSTER PUMP
If the building water supply stops and takes minutes to hours to recover,you may have problem with the well flow rate. But the problem of lost water supply and pressure could bemore mechanical: a bad well pump. The well pump, in turn, could have been damaged or hastened to the end of itslife by a bad water pressure tank which has caused well pump short-cycling. Short cycling of the pump motor can burn upthe pump relay control.
- Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
- Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
- Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Water Ace Jet Pump Installation Manual, instructions from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/R510%20R520%20and%20R100%20Jet%20Pumps%20Manual.pdf
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of
Water Ace shallow well pump Model R510 1/2 HP
Water Ace deep well pump Model R100 convertible 1HP and
Water Ace deep well jet pump Model R250 convertible 1/2 hp.
Quoting from the company's website:
The Water Ace Pump Company is a dynamic, rapidly growing retail pump manufacturer, backed by a tradition of over 125 years of excellence. We offer a complete line of sump, sewage, lawn sprinkler, swimming pool, submersible well and jet pumps as well as pressure tanks and accessories. - Water Ace Jet Pump Installation Manual, from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/RTS5%20RTS7%20RTS10%20RC5%20and%20RC10%20Jet%20Pumps%20Manual.pdf
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of Water Ace pump models:
Water Ace Shallow Well 1-line Jet Pump Models RTS5 (1/2HP), Model RTS7 (3/4 HP) and RTS10 (1HP)
Water Ace Deep Well 2-line Jet Pump Models RC5 (1/2 HP) and RC10 (1HP) - Water Ace Submersible Well Pump Installation Manual, from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/23833A019%20Well%20Pumps%20Eng.pdf
Spanish and French language submersible well pump installation manuals are available from the company.
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of Water Ace pump models: - Water Ace Submersible Well Pump Installation Manual, from Water Ace Pump Co., web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.waterace.com/pdf/23833A019%20Well%20Pumps%20Eng.pdf
Spanish and French language submersible well pump installation manuals are available from the company.
Consumer hotline: 800-942-3343 - instructions for the installation and maintenance of Water Ace pump models: - Life Expectancy of Water Pumps - Well Pumps: how long should a water pump last? What affects pump life?
- Life Expectancy of Wells & Water Tanks how long should a water well and its components last?
- Plumbing Diagnosis & Repair: Water supply, drainage, septic systems, water testing, water contamination, defective plumbing materials & products
- Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
- Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
- Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
- Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
- WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
- Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
- Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
- ...
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: [email protected]. The firm provides professional HOME INSPECTION SERVICES and also extensive HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION and home inspection-related PUBLICATIONS. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material.
The ILLUSTRATED HOME illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space.
TECHNICAL REFERENCE GUIDE to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment, useful for determining the age of heating boilers, furnaces, water heaters is provided by Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space. - The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The HOME REFERENCE eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space. - Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION COURSES - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURESES (Canada)
HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION COURSES (USA) including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
HOME INSPECTION EDUCATION: HOME STUDY COURSES - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page 'Promo/Redemption' space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. - The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones