Going Fishing for a Dropped Well Pump

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In this video I try to fish out a Well pump from a water well that someone dropped. You'll see the tools I use to retrieve it and just how hard this process can be. Over 6 hours of labor in a 25 minute video.
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[@gilbertjaramillo8735]

I had my submersible pump fall into my 400' well. The top of the pipe was at 260 ft from the surface opening. Long story short, I was finally successful in fishing it out by fabricating a harpoon looking hook using a stepper drill bit welded on a 10 ft steel pipe that I was able to guide on top of the 1 1/4 black pipe. I then used another heavy pipe with a stranded guy wire also guided into the first hooked pipe. I would raise the steel pipe about 10 ft and pound the hooked one about 10 times. I then used my boom bucket that I converted to a hoist boom with an electric winch to raise the pipe, wire, and pump out. The harpoon steel end was so tight on the black pipe that I could not take it off, so I just cut it off and still have it as a reminder of my 3-month struggle to get the pump out. It saved me from having to drill another expensive well. All this would have never been possible without my purchase of an underwater camera that was instrumental in finding the end of top of the well pipe and using it to guide my jury-rigged harpoon in place. Never again, just too stressful, but good thing I was retired, and my neighbor kindly shared his water while I worked on my project(or nightmare).😡

[@bobfugazy4916]

Great job on that well my friend. You'll never be out of work. Thanks for sharing. I have a much greater appreciation of water after watching your videos.

[@oscarperez-m4w]

I would say 3 thousand ..you actually saved him from having to drill a new well

[@tomferrin1148]

Nice catch! Lucky the homeowner called you, otherwise he may have been paying to drill a new well. I wonder if "the handyman" who dropped the pump in the first place was actually him?

[@SpiraSpiraSpira]

I was thinking the same thing. Many such “handymen” around, lol

[@JemezDaveNM84]

I had a well drilled 200 feet and my wife and I set the pump using one of your videos for guidance. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't believe the well guy was seriously ripping me off. In any case, my irrigation well is working great thanks for that. Nice job on this mess too.

[@reubprue8602]

Not only did you have to fish it out but re-wire it and plumb new fittings. You had to bring in your hevy equipment, fabricate another tool and rework your previous schedules. I'd say, $1,500 - $2,000. You see, your shared knowledge of caution on the well seal has alread saved me $2,000 if ever I own a well. Just because I don't own a well doesn't mean I don't like learning. Thx 4 the great videos!

[@suzylarry1]

MacGyver the man with all the tools in house homemade ! glad to see a good outcome !

[@paulmaxwell8851]

I've installed many a pump over the years and don't need how-to information. But I love your videos. It's nice to see a professional at work, especially an honest, get 'er done kind of guy like you. I'd hire you in a second if I needed my well serviced. By the way, I think you charge too little for what you do. I hope the customer appreciated that. Greetings all the way from central British Columbia, Canada!

[@SpiraSpiraSpira]

I would bet $20 that this handyman was the homeowner himself, lol

[@ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO00]

Strong work. Not a penny less than $2,000 and a bargain at that price.

[@walsterdoomit]

Ive watched 3 of your videos this morning. Just out of curiosity. And learned more that dozens of previous videos. I have a well i was trying to learn about. But ended up having city water and abandoned the project. Good stuff! I think im up to speed on the well systems. Down to understanding the switch and tank. 👍

[@rogerhoran6327]

We do the same thing in Ontario Canada, your time is worth something. Insurance on vehicles and fuel. Don't forget the one thing is your knowledge, you got the job done. Good luck on the next one.

[@LawrenceHanson-b9s]

After seeing what you went through, I’d be looking at 3400 because of all the new wiring and all the trips you had to make and the extra equipment I think that’s a very fair price. I love to fix somebody else’s mistakes.

[@RandyDurham-vp4ik]

Good job, hind sight says why didn’t I start with the rig 1st, but being optimist we always hope for the quick and easy. Minimum $ for this amount of headache on an unscheduled emergency no water should be around $2300-$2500. I would probably have charged a little more because this was not an existing customer, and from the beginning was not willing to pay to have the job done properly. Hopefully he has learned, and you now have a longtime customer. 😜

[@jimmygarlon750]

It is refreshing to see a young man taking on a career in this field of work. You know your stuff and its shows. I would say the handyman is not so handy, good job cleaning up his mess.

[@edwardcarberry1095]

Yes after watching him work , he knows his stuff! Yes how to charge for that ! Not his doing! But he did fix it the way it should have been.

[@Dr_Wrong]

Dropping the pump is common for DIYers. Charging is easy, time and materials.

[@markb.1259]

Good Man for being man enough to keep things civil with the Ex and help out!!! Very Well Done!!!

[@John-B69692]

You are extremely knowledgeable.

[@jakebrakebill]

It's always nice to see someone that takes pride in their work. Do it right, or don't do it at all. Looked like $1,800 job

[@h2omechanic]

1849 is what I charged. You nailed it!

[@jakebrakebill]

@@h2omechanic Lol.. I'd say fair for both parties, but you were the generous one.

[@garyfeltman4482]

I agree with you. $300 an hour is fair for bailing out someone else's screw up!

[@roma8111]

What I call having to wipe someone’s butt

[@tonywestvirginia]

@@h2omechanic I was going to guess $2500

[@patrickcowan8701]

I had a well where the plumber used a plastic joiner. It snapped and Turned the ground into quick sand. Always use a big pressure tank for less cycling, pump will last longer.

[@stevemiller6766]

I have a well that needs serviced. I wish you were located in N.E. Georgia. Great video!

[@rogerdivdis7277]

3000.00 mistakes are expensive! Excellent work!

[@tlkennels1]

I seen in the comments you charged him $1900 and seen other people’s estimates. I think you were very fair and probably have a repeat customer for sure. So to me you win

[@tjone9]

Considering you brought out the truck, I would say 2000. To 2200 would make you decent money with no haggling with the owner. You didn't spend alot of cash. Mostly ability to handle the job. Call me what you may. Times are tough on alot of us. I believe we should be as fair and responsible as cost allows. I have this problem and by weekend over it will be fixed! Good job man! Thanks for sharing..🦅🇺🇸🇨🇱🦅🕊

[@ouman28]

Generally speaking, remember the customer is a SENIOR ADULT (generally on the CHEAP side). I have worked with Senior Adults and 9 times out of 10 they go cheap. They like the F*R*E*E stuff. If he can get someone else later that is cheaper, then he will.

[@walsterdoomit]

3000 come on. This (1900) ia a fair price. Karma is a bitch for these greedy people.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

Our 500 foot well had a wire failure. THANKFULLY, ONLY ONE!!! It has been reinstalled with several torque arrestors and MANY taping points [I watched the ENTIRE process from start to finish].

[@irgski]

Nice to see a professional in action. Moral of the story - don’t trust your well to a “handyman”!!!

[@earlestes8649]

Some of us handymen know how to do it the right way

[@abelrb0306]

Bro 😂 why do I agree 💯 with this!

[@RSole9999]

I had a two-hose venturi well pump. I converted the well to submersible and installed a pitless adapter. I was in my 60s and did all the work myself. I had a safety rope tied to the pump as well as a stainless steel cable, just in case. The riser pipe was installed with standoffs every ten feet to prevent the wires from rubbing the casing. A mistake many people make is putting in more than one check valve. The only check valve should be in the pump itself or just above it. Why? Because if a lower check valve fails in the open position the water could drain down below an upper valve leaving the pipe full of air. When the pump starts up there will be a huge water hammer that can damage the pump and pipes. I too thought that extra check valves were a good idea until I researched it.

[@justins3810]

I wish I would have read this before I installed multiple check valves in my well. The last time I pulled it I broke the valve down by the pump so now I only have one at the top of my 400 foot hose. Next time I will probably remove that one as well. The reason I installed them is because I read that there should be a valve every 100 or so feet.

[@olduhfguy]

Surely , that had to be on the bottom of the list of favorite customers for a service call :-)

[@RichaRat]

You went above and beyond. How much did you save the customer by saving the well? No less than $2500.

[@shakes7333]

The handyman is probably the one that got him in that mess to begin with.

[@Chisos1]

Or along with the handyman's "help", the 2019 crew could have been prohibited from doing a first class job by the cheap a$$ed land owner wanting to pay for nothing more than a patch job at the time. You notice at the start of this the owner wanted the OP to only fish the mess out of the hole and then the owners inexpensive handyman would do the rest.

[@h2omechanic]

@Kent Fowler yup! On day 3 he said for me to go ahead and just fix it all right. So I did just that

[@marybilbrey7013]

And the handy man is probably who added the 44lbs of pressure in the tank! And why do you have an ex-wife!? That girl's crazy!!

[@brando12343]

@@marybilbrey7013people seem to have this notion that increasing air pressure in the pressure tank will increase water pressure, they don’t seem to realize that the pump provides the pressure not the tank, all the tank is there to do is allow the pump to run on its proper cycle

[@johntilson2535]

Don't be too harsh a judge on the handyman. I'm a recently retired one myself. Handymen are capable of a great variety of skilled jobs, usually charging must less than the 'journeymen guys'. Not that there's anything wrong with them! No, this handyman's mistake was thinking he knew how to fix that well pump. While he has the skills to fix it, I doubt he had 'the knowledge'. I can't tell you how many jobs I've successfully completed NOT KNOWING A DAMN THING ABOUT THEM! Yet, I'd come in, explain the process to the customer in great detail and come off looking for all the world a 'professional'. How was I able to accomplish this? In the beginning of my career, I'd ask a lot of questions or go to the library for research. Since the advent of the internet, however? 2 words: KZbin videos. Lots of 'em! The moral of this story? DO YOUR RESEARCH before you get 'handy'! 🤣

[@xcalibre222]

Great to watch a guy work who knows his stuff. Awesome job! Thanks for the vid.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

Good info on that bladder tank pressure!

[@kentdillon3968]

Your knowledge, ethics and ingenuity are to be commended. I hope you charged your customer accordingly for your time and effort. I am a city guy with no knowledge or need for a well.. But I love learning about all things mechanical.

[@jeremyrabuck7222]

Great content. Particularly I was interested in the detailed explanation at the end regarding the accumulator tank pressure settings. You did check it prior to turning the pump on. but I don’t think you emphasize that the diaphragm pressure is checked/set with the tank EMPTY. Maybe your next video that you encounter a accumulator tank issue, you could emphasize that the pressure is set with the tank empty. I could see many DIYers running out to their tank and checking the pressure with the tank full. Again, love the channel!

[@bobbailey2947]

Kudos to you. I greatly enjoy your videos. Keep up the great videos. I've always been intrigued by the deep well technology and you are truly an expert. I will continue to follow your vids. Kudos to you!

[@turboman4736]

Nice job

[@DrSyedMubashir]

Thanks Bro, you gave me the idea about how to fish out my fallen pump. People were charging more than $1000 for the job and that too not giving any guarantee.. I made the same hook myself and attached a steel cable with it, it got stuck in same way like in your video.. and pulled it out with help of Hydra ... Took me one hour to retrieve it, as it was 300 foot deep down.... Thanks once again for your information.

[@frankish5314]

Nice job. I don't even have a submisible pump (shallow well) but I learned a few things.. Like making that retrieval tool.. awsome!

[@miketoy191]

8 million dollars, great vid Thanks!

[@glennmiller6513]

Great job! All the trips the equipment and trip charge 3500 then I would have added $500 for using a handyman first! that is not a job for a handyman.. professionals only like you!!

[@gregorymatre]

You All don't use a pitless adapter on your wells. They save this type of problems all the time

[@ki4csq]

It is amazing that the owner suggested his Handyman, who probably did the pump in the first place, was going to reinstall it. My price would have been higher if they would not have let me replace everything and make it right.

[@stevecalderman457]

You did an excellent assessment on the job somewhere in the range of 1500.00 to 2500.00 sounds fare ,I'm not a professional, but you had to improvise.

[@cupwalker24.7]

I love Fishing Trips !!!! Those Are the Easy easy Days . It's a Relief for me sometimes to not be covered in Sweat, mud , tears 😂 rock cuttings , Hearing a Hammer slam all day and rig running Ground contamination etc etc . Fishing trips are great and camera trips !!!! Nice clean professional skilled labor 💪 good job !!

[@russellmooneyham3334]

My biggest fear. Our community well, that I manage is 1,150 feet. Pump (3 phase 480v) is at about 950. 2" galvanized pipe, with 3 check valves. We have has to pull pump 4 times in the last five years, ( because of other troubles unrelated to pump quality). Thats way down there. Lol

[@Cotronixco]

Good job on the SS elbow on the PE. I'm not a fan of brass elbows there. They will wear right through.

[@357THEODORE]

Thanks for the great video

[@JamesSargent-dh6ci]

First-time watcher. You were great 👍. I'll be watching. Good job 2all 🥶 🐲

[@rodralph824]

Great job. Lucky to have tradesmen that are both bright and ingenious. My guess is around $2800.

[@sarunit63]

Just came accross you videos a few days ago its great seeing how honest you qre with ppl. Also nice seeing how clean all your work is keep up the great work my freind:)

[@googacct]

When trying to pull something up with a machine as powerful as a excavator, would it be worthwhile to add some kind of an electronic scale to know how many pounds of force you are applying. That would minimize the chances of breaking something. It could also prvoide some warning when something is about to break since a lot of materials will start yielding before actually breaking.

[@mrgeraldbrent]

That's why they make hydraulic pressure based weigh scales. Works great for applications like a forklift.

[@priestley749]

Excellent job.

[@thebbgrouplimited210]

I would have put my numbers at $4800.00> FYI love the way you present. You're informative, direct and straightforward. Honesty and stick-to-itiveness seem to be your hallmarks. Kudos. Job well done!!

[@tylerwilliams3868]

i subbed. i have a well pump and you are very knowledgeable on the system. i learned a lot thank you

[@donaldshimkus539]

Wow, great job. You did exactly what I thought of doing, making a "grapple" to snag that wire. I don't have the big equipment you do, but I would not have used such to pull that rope. Too much chance of snapping it and having more stuff jamming the operation. If you can't pull it up by hand, even with a little mechanical advantage, figure out something different.I didn't hear what you charged, but pros would probably charge $1800-2500. I'm like you, I charge what my heart says I should. If you can sleep ok, you did good. Thanks.

[@marty0715yt]

Can't charge what it should have cost. NOBODY wanted to touch it.Priceless.

[@kevinbuck6058]

I just had mt well serviced. The pipe down to the pump had a hole in it so the pump wouldn't shut off. This is the third time in 40m years. This time I had a new pump, wire, and 100 feet of schedule 80 1" PVC pipe, and Stainless Steel couplers. The total cost was $2100.00 Took about an hour. Travel distance about 10 miles round trip. Took place in April 2024.

[@tomsoil9909]

Have to charge at least double! You dropped other work to do the fix!! Good job!!

[@jim7smith]

Well done, earned a like and sub.... Thanks for the explanation about the proper amount of air pressure.

[@davidcarter1738]

My God,he used the negligent word.Thougt that word was retired.Good man!

[@HoneyRowland]

We are putting a well in and loosing the pump is something I worry about. I've subscribed!

[@BPassalaqua]

Now I'm aware what can go wrong and what can go right and it sucks to have no water so I've been watching your videos apply the stuff you do to may 200ft well

[@richardsanchez5444]

3:13 that legendary old man strength

[@anthonyiannone7618]

very interesting video , i have no knowledge of wells ,never had one of my own and never worked on one but i enjoy learning new things. Time needs to be considered in your bill of course but more so knowledge and the willingness to take on a challenge especially cleaning up someone else's mess. That is what separates you from the other 5 company's who refused the job. Now all you have to do is let the world know your the go to well guy and money will never stop flowing to your bank account.

[@carljorgensen2813]

Great video I’m 77 and can’t remember half the stuff you tell us write a book.. or is there one out there?

[@jacobcox198]

that handy man should be fired u did a wonderfull job great video thanks

[@cliffterrell4876]

I live in southeast Arizona and fishing wells are common when people from the city try to save themselves money on fixing domestic pumps (of course using the internet). Every well company charges a minimum of $500 to fish then $100 an hour to pull and drop the pump back in the hole. Then the cost of 10 ga 4 wire waterproof/underwater wire is around $4.25 a foot, 3 wire is around $3.50 a foot plus the elbows, tank test, etc. You can be looking at $2,800 to over $3,000 if your not replacing a pump. Domestic pumps go from $600 to $1,000 depending on the volume flow of the pump. Rule of thumb, if you don't know what your doing with a well, pay someone else to do it right and leave it alone

[@KCAATV]

That's a $2500 to $3,000 job. The "Brother-in-law" price would be $1500, but only if he shared your political beliefs and you owed him a favor. If not, $2,000 brother-in-law price.

[@b100ka]

cost of political beliefs have gone up!

[@bigred350x9]

Highway robbery $800-$1300

[@tammyc5511]

Great Job, you are so smart

[@donhardy9248]

@@bigred350x9 Haha. He should've charged $8-1300? Nothing wrong with minimum wage, huh? ...What about his expenses??? Employees, fuel, equipment, and especially his skilled time? Your rates would run this company into the ground! Plumbers and electricians are charging $3-400/hr! And consider the amount the customer saved -- new wells in Central Texas currently cost $65/ft to drill.

[@carldrew]

@@bigred350x9you obviously don’t run a business and have to pay: for vehicles, heavy machinery, trailers, fuel, maintainance , insurance, licenses, permits, repairs, wages, workers comp, bonding, benefits, social security, healthcare, taxes, parts, supplies, admin, marketing, training, creative thinking, problem solving, custom design and manufacturing, etc. Which is not a problem. Until you are the one that drops the cable and rope down the shaft. At which point you bail, and talent like this guy have to come save the day.

[@dennis12345]

You are so,good! Great video

[@edwardrtt]

good videos, bought my house has a well, plumber found the pressure switch 4 feet down the well, he said there is no reason for it to be there and it's against code.

[@hardwiired]

Ur shop is so nice!!

[@steveo4749]

Good job. Well done.

[@aleckelsey402]

Awesome job 👍

[@ATSNorthernMI]

I had a well company come out and quote me on replacing the screen and foot valve on an old 2" well. They couldn't do the work because the well was underneath an overhang and the well casing seemed to be broken somewhere in the well because it moved around and felt loose. They charged me 500 dollars just to tell me the well was shot and needed to be replaced. I moved out of the place and decided to rebuilt my property which had a fairly new 4" well that pumped up and worked perfectly. I since used the property for a cannabis farm and use quite a lot of water without any issues from the well (knock on wood).

[@randallmccreery9043]

I'm in S/W Virginia the Blue Ridge mountains, ground water can sometimes 300'. i just finished a job just like yours. This well was 450' pump was 300,down top of standing water 165'. When they let go of pump it was 150' down no one would help. After 1 month of no water i herds about it. Had to ½ day on service work planded. At 2:00pm to dark work on this took 5 days same same steps my bill $5300⁰⁰ our skills are hard to fine and we work hard.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

I have my tanks way jacked up, even though it does increase failure potential.

[@creamysbrianna]

@H2o Mechanic Something to try with cleaning up contacts on a pressure switch is a cheap cardboard nail file. As for how much to charge for the time, effort, and equipment I'd say at least $2500.00 USD.

[@laqua3693]

I had a problem down a well and another inside a transmission that I needed to see inside. I took a 26 gauge 100' thermostat wire and hooked a small 12v light (like a 912 bulb) and hooked the other side to a cordless drill battery. I then lowered the light into the hole and could see down below. I could see what was wrong and fish it out.

[@bobg3034]

Great job!

[@haroldconover5221]

Good job

[@jstaffordii]

$2500-3000. 3 trips plus tool rentals at $1k per day, wire and labor

[@crazyeddiecook8959]

Three Grand!!!

[@marksr49341]

Thanks learned a lot

[@ithacacomments4811]

We had methane in our well. We had to put a release valve on our tank or it would short cycle.

[@davemcdonald5004]

wonder you didnt throw the book at the guy over the ex thing lol been there great videos

[@douglaskesler370]

We always go fishing with our hoist and galvanized pipe. A lot stronger and will always get it out! Great job though sir. And by the way I extremely dislike roll plastic pipe. It’s a sin in our area.

[@atmm89]

hope you got well paid for all this, all the best from Australia

[@forrestnelson2023]

At least $75-100/hr for your time. Add crane/ excavator rental- deployment rates and any helper/ employee wages. More lines on the invoice the better to quantify your under appreciated efforts. Nice job. Nice content.

[@SteveRVRepairs]

1200 plus the cost of the excavator and operator of it all in between 1500 to 1800 but may be as high as 2300 because i am sure you did more that we saw . great job and lucky not to have grabbed the casing. keep the vids coming

[@stager33]

Just to let you know the last 3 wraps of e-tape don't stretch it that way the tape doesn't pull off the pipe, JMHO

[@ancientmaster2446]

I've been out of contracting for several years, so my outlook is not current, but I think 2000 to 2500 would be reasonable.

[@bryanbaker-m2o]

Excellent workmanship by a master craftsman. I'll bet the occupant wanted more than the 30# low water pressure in shower and added air in the bladder tank, unknowingly burning the wire. You should have offered to replace the pressure switch to a 40/60 or adjust the 30/50 up. I would have thought the pump would be damaged first from the short cycling. The new wire and fittings were about $700, 2 trips with mini excavator and power wench should be $1,000 and your plumbing labor another $500. I would bill $2,200. Walter Brennan should be happy to pay and refer you to others in need.

[@Cmoreroads]

I don't even do that sort of work professionally, but with the experiences I do have, I would think it would be fair to get into 4 digit numbers for that work.

[@joeg9200]

“Yeah”, exactly.

[@za_ozero]

We once were installing 3rd pump into the deep well after previous two were dropped by "experienced" installers

[@rogervonschleusingen4603]

Let andy the handy man GET IT OUT !!

[@microtcpip]

Great video, especially because my pump fell on my 500ft well. The well was set to hang at 400ft. My friend fabricated a hook based on your device, and I am using a 3/8 yellow poly rope. It took minutes for the hook to catch on something at about 100 feet, so that part happened so fast that I was not ready for the pulling part. According to my research, the poly rope has a Tensile Strength = 4,800 lbs. So, I am hoping that should work to bring the pump up. I think I can make a wooden support above the well, to which I can attach a 2" U-Type Groove Wheel Heavy Duty Rigid Caster with Bracket for Inverted Track, with a loading capacity of 660 Lbs, to drive the rope horizontally to the back of my truck, so I can then pull the well out. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[@m1t2a1]

Famous line from Clerks. I'm not even supposed to be here today. 8:25

[@sighpocket5]

Nice!!!!😊

[@MASTER3RDEYE]

Labor, knowledge, heavy duty field, shop equipment, small hand tools capital expenditures, consumables, fuel, liability, auto insurance, stress, anxiety, shop electricity. What ever you change is a bargain. “The bitterness of poor quality lingers longer after the sweetness of the low price is forgotten”-Ben Franklin.

[@dougmoran13]

In Canada I’d guess that would cost around $1,200. Of course it’s worth more as your time c/w overhead is worth far more in a normal market but trades are not paid properly here unless they’re working for government haha.

[@MrRickoscar]

Nice.

[@davecolvin310]

If you do have to take up slack in wire keep it up towards the cap.