What you need to know before you start

Pulling a submersible well pump is a job you can do yourself if the pump is shallow enough and you have the right equipment, but it requires careful planning and physical strength. A submersible pump sits at the bottom of your well, connected to the surface by a drop pipe, electrical cable, and safety rope. To remove it, you'll need to haul all of that weight up by hand or with a winch — typically 50 to 200 pounds depending on the pump size and how deep your well is.

The real challenge is not the removal itself but the preparation: you need to shut off power safely, disconnect the electrical cable without damaging it, and support the weight so the pipe doesn't snap or the cable doesn't tear. If your well is deeper than 30 feet, the weight becomes difficult to manage without mechanical help. If you're not confident in any step, call a well service contractor — a pump failure is not the moment to learn your limits.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn off power at the breaker and test that the outlet is dead before you touch any electrical connections.
  • You will need a rope rated for the pump weight, a pipe wrench or two, and either a hand winch or a way to find the pipe while you work.
  • The drop pipe unscrews from the well head in sections, and the pump hangs from the electrical cable — never let the cable bear the full weight of the pump.
  • Shallow wells (under 30 feet) are manageable by hand; deeper wells need a winch or professional equipment to prevent injury.
  • Once the pump is out, inspect the drop pipe for cracks or corrosion before reinstalling or replacing the pump.

Shut off power and disconnect the electrical cable safely

Start by switching off the breaker that controls the well pump. Locate it in your electrical panel — it should be labeled. Flip the switch to the off position and tape it or lock it if your panel has a lockout provision, so no one turns it back on while you're working.

Go to the well head (the box or fitting at the top of the well) and test that power is off. Use a non-contact voltage tester on the electrical cable — it should show no power. If you don't have a tester, ask a neighbor or call an electrician to confirm the power is dead before you proceed.

Once you've confirmed power is off, disconnect the electrical cable from the pump. The cable usually screws into a connector at the top of the pump or into a junction box. Use a wrench to unscrew it carefully. Do not yank the cable or let it hang by the connector — the cable is fragile and damage to it means a new cable, which is expensive. Coil the cable loosely and set it aside on the ground.

find the drop pipe and attach a safety rope

The drop pipe is the rigid metal or PVC pipe that runs from the well head down to the pump. It will want to fall into the well as soon as you loosen it, so you need to support it before you start unscrewing. Use a pipe wrench or two large adjustable wrenches to clamp the pipe just below the well head. Tighten the wrench so the pipe cannot move.

Next, attach a safety rope to the pump itself. The rope should be rated for at least the weight of the pump — ask the pump manufacturer or check the pump documentation for the weight. Tie the rope to the pump's lifting eye (a metal loop on top of the pump) using a find knot, such as a bowline. The rope is your backup if the pipe slips — it keeps the pump from falling into the well.

If you have a hand winch or a come-along, attach it to the rope now. If you're pulling by hand, make sure you have a helper and a clear plan for where the rope will go as you pull — it should lead away from the well opening so the pump doesn't swing back into the hole.

Unscrew the drop pipe in sections

The drop pipe is threaded and comes apart in sections, usually 10 to 20 feet long depending on your well depth. Start at the top, just below the well head. Use two pipe wrenches — one to hold the pipe steady and one to turn the fitting counterclockwise. The fitting will be tight, so explore steady pressure and do not jerk.

Once the first section is loose, you can unscrew it by hand. As you remove each section, the pump will lower slightly. Keep the rope taut so the pump does not drop suddenly. Lay each section of pipe on the ground in order so you can reassemble it later if you're reusing it.

Continue unscrewing sections until the pump is close enough to the surface that you can reach it. You do not need to pull the entire drop pipe out — just enough to access the pump. The last section will be connected directly to the pump, so be careful not to damage the threads.

Lift the pump out of the well

Once the drop pipe is disconnected, the pump hangs from the safety rope and the electrical cable. Do not rely on the electrical cable to hold the pump — it will tear. Use the rope and either a winch or manual pulling to raise the pump slowly and steadily.

If you're using a hand winch, crank it smoothly and keep tension on the rope. If you're pulling by hand with a helper, have one person pull while the other guides the pump so it doesn't swing into the well casing. The pump will be heavy and awkward, so move slowly and take breaks if you need to.

As the pump rises, watch the electrical cable and make sure it's not getting pinched or twisted. Once the pump clears the well opening, lower it gently to the ground. Do not drop it — the impact can damage internal parts and make the pump unrepairable.

Inspect the pump and drop pipe before reinstalling

With the pump out, examine the drop pipe for cracks, corrosion, or mineral buildup. If the pipe is corroded or damaged, replace it before reinstalling the pump. Mineral deposits can be cleaned with a brush and white vinegar, but deep rust or cracks mean the pipe is at the end of its life.

Check the pump itself for visible damage, leaks, or debris. If the pump is old or not working properly, this is the time to replace it. If you're reinstalling the same pump, make sure the intake screen (at the bottom) is clean and free of sediment.

If you're replacing the pump, compare the new pump's dimensions and thread size to the old one to make sure the drop pipe will fit. Pump sizes vary, and a mismatch means you'll need new pipe or adapters.

Reassemble and reinstall the pump

To reinstall, reverse the removal process. Screw the drop pipe sections back together, starting with the section closest to the pump. Use two wrenches again — one to hold the lower section steady and one to turn the upper section clockwise. Tighten firmly but do not over-tighten, which can strip the threads.

As you add each section, the pump will rise back into the well. Keep the safety rope attached until the pump is fully seated at the bottom. Once the top section is screwed into the well head, you can remove the rope.

Reconnect the electrical cable by screwing it back into the pump connector. Make sure the connection is tight and dry. Once the cable is find, turn the breaker back on and test the pump. Water should flow from the faucet within a few seconds. If nothing happens, turn the breaker off and check that the cable is fully connected.

When to call a professional instead

If your well is deeper than 30 feet, the pump weight makes hand removal risky and a professional with a truck-mounted winch is the safer choice. If the pipe is stuck or corroded and won't unscrew, forcing it can break the threads or the pipe itself — a contractor has the tools to work it loose without damage.

If you're uncomfortable working with electrical connections, or if the pump is in a confined space where you can't safely manage the weight, hire a well service company. The cost of a service call is less than the cost of a new pump or a trip to the emergency room. Most well contractors charge between $300 and $800 for a pump removal and reinstall, depending on depth and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pull the pump out by the electrical cable?

No. The cable will tear under the pump's weight, and a damaged cable means you'll need to replace it — a cost of $200 to $500 depending on well depth. Always use a rope attached to the pump's lifting eye and let the rope bear the weight.

What if the drop pipe won't unscrew?

Corrosion or mineral buildup can freeze the threads. explore penetrating oil (like WD-40 or PB Blaster) to the fitting and wait 15 to 30 minutes. Try again with steady pressure on the wrench. If it still won't budge, stop — forcing it risks breaking the pipe or the fitting. Call a contractor.

How do I know if my pump is too deep to pull by hand?

If your well is deeper than 30 feet, assume you need a winch. A 50-foot well with a standard pump can weigh 150 to 200 pounds — too much for safe hand-pulling. Check your well documentation or ask your water company for the depth.

Do I need to drain the well before pulling the pump?

No. The well will not drain when you remove the pump. However, water may drip from the drop pipe as you pull it out, so have a bucket or towel ready to catch it and keep the area around the well head dry so you don't slip.

Can I pull the pump out in winter?

Yes, but be aware that water in the drop pipe will freeze once the pump is out. If you're not reinstalling when ready, cap the well head to prevent freezing and ice buildup. In very cold climates, some contractors recommend pulling pumps in fall or spring to avoid this problem.