FAQs
What tools and supplies will I need along with the hand pump kit?
You will need PVC glue/cement, pipe cutters or a hand saw, and a drill with a 1/16” drill bit and 1-3/8” metal hole saw. You will also need to purchase some thin wall PVC pipe in the length that is needed to reach the static water level in your well. We don’t ship piping along with the kit because shipping costs would be very expensive. It is much cheaper for you to purchase the piping at your local hardware or plumbing store.
How many people are needed to install a well hand pump?
Our hand pumps can be installed with one person. Although the process can be quickened and made easier with two people.
Where are your products manufactured and shipped from?
We manufacture and ship all our products out of our location here in beautiful Battle Ground, Washington.
Where is the best place to find thin wall PVC pipe for my hand pump?
We have found that the best place to find class 200 and class 315 pipes is at irrigation supply stores. Thin wall PVC pipe is what is commonly used in irrigation systems so most irrigation stores supply them. Call around to your local irrigation supply stores and see if they have the needed quantity of pipes in stock.
How deep will your well pumps go?
Our hand pumps are tested for depths of up to 150 feet.
What makes your hand pump different from a hand pump with steel piping?
Using PVC piping is much more cost-effective and lighter. PVC is very durable and it is a great solution for an affordable emergency well hand pump.
Can this hand pump kit be installed in my well with my electric pump?
You bet! Our hand pump piston is 1-5/8” at its widest point so it can fit in most 6” or larger well casings in tandem with your electric pump without any interference with it.
The hand pump can also be installed in smaller well casings by itself. You will just need to make sure you have 1-5/8” clearance for the piston.
Do you have any kits currently in stock? Any backorder wait times?
We keep track of all our inventory, so if our website allows you to purchase a kit that means that we have them in stock and can get your kit shipped out the following business day.
If our store ever shows that we are out of stock you can rest assured that it wouldn’t be for very long. On top of keeping a large inventory, we also only work with suppliers here in the United States of America and they source their materials here in the USA as well to try and eliminate any supply chain issues.
Can my hand pump be exposed to freezing conditions?
It sure can! The piston comes equipped with a hole that drains any water in the 1” chamber above the piston back down into the well. During installation you will drill a 1/16” hole about 5-10 feet below ground level, or below wherever your freeze line is in your particular area. This will drain out any water in the 1/2” line very slowly back down into your well when you are not using the pump.
How much space do I need in my well for my hand pump?
The widest point on our hand pump is a diameter of 1-5/8”. It was designed to be small and sleek to fit in most wells.
Why PVC piping rather than a tubing hand pump?
With our PVC well hand pump you can achieve much more water output per stroke, pump less, and get more water.
Do I need a specific well type or well cap for this hand pump to work?
There are two types of well caps generally used shown below. There is the “well seal” where the well piping comes out of the top of the cap and then there is the “pitless adapter” where the piping elbows off carries the water underground. For our pump to work best, you will want a pitless adapter well configuration. Our hand pump needs to be attached to the well cap, and the cap needs to be easily removable for installation. This can be very difficult to do with a well seal. If you have a well seal then we recommend that you talk with your local well pump company to have your well reconfigured to the pitless adapter option before hand pump installation.
