FAQ

You can expect to spend a couple of hours getting your hand pump installed.

We started doing business in 2011. We have installed nearly 2000 Idaho Hand Pumps in Southeast Idaho since that time.

We estimate your hand pump will last about twenty years.  We guarantee materials and workmanship for five years.

The Idaho Hand Pump costs $325 for a kit that is 45 ft in length. There are additional drop pipes for sale to extend the length to whatever you need for your well depth. These cost $12 each and are 6’8″ in length. Three of these equal 20 ft. It’s sometimes easier to figure it that way.

 

The pump section that will be visible is made from stainless steel fittings.  The handles and spout are made from schedule 80 pvc. The pipe going into the well is schedule 40 pvc. We also use galvanized wire and a fiberglass rod as components in your hand pump.

No maintenance is required. However, we do recommend that you pump out enough water to clear the entire length of pipe that was placed in your well roughly every six months. This is the equivalent of rotating your water storage (but it is much easier), and is a good check to make sure your pump is working properly.

We drill a weep hole about seven feet from the top to allow the water to drain below the frost line where it won’t freeze.  You can enjoy the peace of mind of using your pump during any season of the year.

The Idaho Hand Pump is easy to remove to allow access to your electric pump.  The key is to keep the pipe coming straight up out of the well for a few feet before beginning the bend.  The best way to do this is to have one person pulling the pipe out of the well while another person stands about eight feet away, keeping an arch of pipe between the two. The second person can walk in a circle around the well to allow for laying the pipe down as it comes out of the well casing.

This can be a challenge. Here are some ideas:

Some states keep records of the depth of wells. Check to see if your state department of water resources keeps these records.

If you know the depth of your electric pump then you will place our hand pump right beside your electric pump. You can sometimes find this information from a pump installer who has records of where your pump was placed.

Some counties keep records of wells.

Your well depth could also be hidden in all the paperwork you received when you bought your home.

If you know the depth of your electric pump then you will likely place the Idaho Hand Pump right beside it. This is because the freshest water in your well is where it is circulated regularly (by your electric pump). You can sometimes find your pump depth from the pump installer who placed your current pump.

If you don’t know the depth of your electric pump, we recommend somewhere between 10-15 feet off the bottom of the well (it’s likely that is where your other pump sits)

If you don’t have an electric pump in the well, you should consider the fluctuations of the water table in your area. Place your Idaho Hand Pump so that it is about 10 feet into the water when the water table is at its lowest level.

It is a good idea to look into your well before you order a kit. Most wells have plenty of space since we need only one inch of space, but small wells or wells with a good deal of wire or other things can create a problem.

We believe that most people will be able to install the Idaho Hand Pump themselves by following our instructions. We also have a very helpful video that demonstrates an installation. Some things have changed since we made the video, but the basics are the same.

You will need to drill and tap (thread) a hole in your cap. The instructions tell you how to do this, or you can take your cap to a machine shop and have them drill and tap the cap.

Shipping is included in orders over $250 (every order that contains a Pump Kit) that is shipped within the contiguous United States.