Well Pump Removal Methods

Safe, Professional Well Pump Removal – A Job for a Licensed Specialist, Not a Plumber or handyman

At Kappus Pumps – The Pump Man – we remove well pumps at any depth, from shallow hand-pulls to deep wells over 1,000 feet, using the right method and equipment for each job. Pulling a pump is a specialized trade, not a plumbing task, and doing it wrong can drop the pump, snap the pipe, or damage the well. We do it safely, the first time, across NY’s Hudson Valley.

This is exactly why New York State requires a separate certification for well drillers and pump installers – it’s a licensed trade of its own, apart from plumbing. A general plumber isn’t trained or equipped to pull a pump from a deep well. We hold NYS DEC Well Driller / Pump Installer license #NYRD10652, so the work is done by a certified professional who does this every day.

Need the pump pulled as part of a repair or upgrade? See our full well pump repair and installation services, or call The Pump Man and we’ll handle the whole job – pull, diagnose, and replace.

Need a Pump Pulled? Don’t Risk a DIY Job.

Pulling a pump is a specialized trade, not a plumbing task – done wrong, it can drop the pump, snap the pipe, or damage the well. We pull pumps at any depth safely, with honest upfront pricing.

Request an Estimate →

Or call 845-528-2929

Well pump removal is a specialized service – not a basic plumbing job. It takes the right equipment, technical expertise, and proper safety measures. If done incorrectly, it can lead to broken pipes, dropped pumps, or damaged wiring, leaving you with a bigger, more expensive problem.

At The Pump Man, we have the training, gear, and retrieval tools to remove any type of pump safely – even if it’s stuck, broken, or buried deep in your well. Whether you’re upgrading, troubleshooting, or replacing a failed system, we’ll get the job done quickly, cleanly, and correctly – with the right components installed and your water back online fast.

HAND REMOVAL AND ROLLER METHOD

“Shallow Systems” or “Short Drops”
For lightweight pumps or shallow wells under 200 feet on poly pipe, a manual hoist or pull system is used. This is common for jet pump conversions or short submersible replacements.
Benefit: Easier on pipe, faster than foot jack, safer for moderate depths
Cons: Physically harder to pull

FOOT JACK PULL

Best for: Older systems or low-clearance areas
Method: A pipe vise (foot jack) locks the pipe while it’s lifted one section at a time
Note: Rarely used today, but we’re trained for legacy systems

MOTORIZED PULLER,UP-Z-DAISY & PUMP TRAX

Best for: Deep wells up to 400–700 feet
Method: Our custom-modified Up-Z-Daisy motorized puller lifts the pump steadily while disassembling pipe sections
Benefit: Allows efficient and controlled deep well pump removal up to 500′. The Pump Trax can lift over 700′ depending on the situation.

PUMP HOIST TRUCK (Service Crane)

Best for: Heavy-duty systems 300 to 1,000+ feet deep
Method: Our crane truck lifts 20′ sections of steel or PVC pipe, using a foot jack to secure each segment
Benefit: Essential for large properties, estates, farms, and high-capacity wells. Our pump hoist trucks can lift up to 10,000 lbs.

Pump Retrieval (Broken Pipe or Lost Pump)

If a pump has fallen or a pipe has snapped, we deploy retrieval tools, drop cameras, and specialized pulling rigs to safely extract the pump or motor from the well. This is a high-risk situation that requires expert handling — never attempt it without the proper tools. It’s one of the most common emergency calls we get, and one of the hardest jobs to do safely without the right rig.

Why Homeowners Trust The Pump Man for Pump Removal

✓ Licensed & Insured — We follow NYS DEC and Board of Health standards

✓ Proper Equipment — From hoist trucks to recovery gear, we have it all

✓ Safe & Code-Compliant Work — No shortcuts, no damage

✓ We Know What Comes Next — We don’t just remove your pump, we install the new one right

Need a Pump Pulled for Testing or Troubleshooting?

Sometimes we remove a pump not because it’s failed, but to inspect it or diagnose a system issue. If your pressure is low, your pump is short-cycling, or your system trips the breaker, call us — we’ll evaluate the situation and determine if removal is needed.

Water Problems Start Below the Surface — That’s Where We Work Best

Trust The Pump Man to safely remove your pump and set your system up for success.

Need a Pump Pulled? Don’t Risk a DIY Job.

Removing a well pump is a specialized trade, not a plumbing task – done wrong, it can drop the pump, snap the pipe, or damage the well. We pull pumps at any depth safely, the first time, with honest upfront pricing.

Request an Estimate →

Or call 845-528-2929

Well Pump Removal — Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a well pump myself?

We don’t recommend it. A submersible pump and its pipe can weigh hundreds of pounds and sit hundreds of feet down a narrow well casing. If it slips, the whole assembly can drop down the well, turning a routine pull into an expensive retrieval job and sometimes damaging the well itself. Pulling a pump safely takes the right hoisting gear, training, and trained hands. Our crews do it every day across the Hudson Valley.

How do you remove a pump from a very deep well?

We match the method to the depth. Shallow wells under about 200 feet on poly pipe are pulled by hand or with a manual hoist. For deeper wells we use motorized pullers like our Up-Z-Daisy and Pump Trax rigs that lift the pump steadily while the pipe comes apart in sections. For the deepest, heaviest systems — 300 to over 1,000 feet — our pump hoist trucks lift 20-foot pipe sections and can handle up to 10,000 pounds. No well in our service area is too deep for us.

My pump or pipe is stuck or broke off down the well. Can you still get it out?

Yes. A dropped pump or a snapped pipe is one of the most common reasons people call us. We use drop cameras to see exactly what’s down there, then deploy retrieval tools and specialized pulling rigs to bring the pump or motor back up safely. This is high-risk work, so never try to fish it out yourself — the wrong move can wedge it permanently and ruin the well.

Can you replace the pump the same visit you pull it?

Almost always, yes. Our trucks carry a full inventory of pumps, motors, pipe, wire, and fittings, so once the old pump is out we can install the new one and get your water back on the same day. You’re not left without water waiting on parts.

Should I hire a certified well pump company instead of a handyman?

For pump removal, yes. We’re licensed well pump installers, registered with the NYS DEC, running truck-mounted hoists built for this exact job. A handyman without the right rig risks dropping the pump, damaging the casing, or getting hurt — and a damaged well costs far more to fix than a proper pull. The job gets done once, correctly.

Can you pull my pump just to inspect or test it?

Yes. Sometimes the smart move is to pull the pump and check the motor, wiring, and pipe condition before deciding whether to repair or replace. We pull it, diagnose what we find, and walk you through honest, upfront options — no guessing, no pressure.

Need a Pump Pulled? Don’t Risk a DIY Job.

Request an Estimate →

Or call 845-528-2929