Water Well Drop Pipe Selection Guide

Today we are comparing different types of drop pipe that we offer. We will be discussing the pro’s and cons of using PVC drop pipe, Galvanized drop pipe and using high-pressure poly pipe as drop pipe.
It may be surprising to know there are multiple factors to consider when selecting the best type and size of drop pipe for your well application. The main points to consider are:
Weight limitations (or depth limitations)
Flow Restriction
Water Composition
Ease of Installation & Removal
If you need more information or assistance with products, call 855.329.4519 or email [e-mail] to speak with an industry expert. Thanks for watching!
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We are a distributor of pumps, packaged pumping systems, on-site wastewater treatment equipment, on-site wastewater treatment systems, and custom electrical control panels for water and wastewater applications, water well supplies, drilling supplies, and water treatment equipment.

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks for watching! If you have ANY questions regarding your water system, leave a comment, call our experts at 855.329.4519 or you can live chat with them on our website: RCWorst.com

[@pakkudada3516]

which is better for borewell casing pipe pvc or steel

[@safffff1000]

I just watched several people pull 300-600ft of poly out of their wells, seemed the easiest to me. One just used a little steel wheel as a pulley over the well, tied to their pickup and pulled it forward 500ft and another guy pulled with small winch system on a home made stand with sliding lope on the pipe and just loped it in a 50ft dia. circle. Both were easier and faster than disassemble many sections while having to lock the pipe in place so it didn't fall down.

[@miantalha802]

I am hole sale dealer

[@bobbygetsbanned6049]

I watched a guy muscle his 200 foot of well pipe out by hand. The next video I saw a guy lower his well with probably that same little roller and my first though was if I ever have to do that at my ranch I'm definitely pulling the poly pipe out with my damn truck lol.

[@JourneyOnLife]

Yeah him saying you will have coils of black poly pipe on the ground is ridiculous. Why not just pull it out straight? I'm guessing this guy has very small yards he works in. Or something.

[@christopherhaak9824]

Yeah, there is a lot of anti poly pipe bias in this video. Let's face it, if you have your own well, you likely have a large yard, so pulling and placing the pipe is not an issue. The real issue is that with poly pipe, the well service folks are out of a job, because it is diy then, and quite inexpensive. Poly is by far the lowest cost option, toughest, most chemically resistant and has the lowest loss. In other words, except for very deep wells, it's the best choice.

[@gtb81.]

poly is by far the best, ours is ~300 ft deep, we once pulled it 3 times in one day. It was a pain but was possible to do, and the pump is inside a building, could not fathom doing that with steel or PVC. it also is super durable, ours is already 30yrs old and still perfect

[@mason1041]

I just pulled my pump, it has been in service since 1982. It was 1” galvanize pipe 200’ deep. The pipe is in relatively good shape for the age.

[@shawncockrell6007]

By far the best well videos on youtube...articulate and clear, easy to understand ! Thanks ! You have earned my business on this alone.

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks so much Shawn! Don't forget you can call us if you need any help sizing or selecting equipment: 855.329.4519

[@ryanhope8498]

Agreed! No bro-science here.

[@easttexasengineering3489]

Great video, we’re going with the poly. Our well pump is at 90 feet; poly will work perfectly for our application.. thanks for the great video..

[@jacklabloom635]

Thank you. Helpful information to know.

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks for watchin!

[@joblamanphil6924]

Thanks for the ideas buddy! God bless and keep safe! Good stuff! 👍

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks, you too!

[@pilotsranch1093]

Great job, thanks for the info

[@justinformeyou1100]

You provide the exact knowledge. :) i like videos.. 🎆🎉

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks Ashwani!

[@dandavidson5050]

That was awesome, thank you!!

[@RCworstwater]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@westtexas806]

We have a wheel we set the poly pipe on and tie it to a pick up and use the pickup to pull the poly out of the well.

[@CactusJackSlade]

Great informative video, thank you... and HAHAHAH on "riding the PVC pipe" ;-)

[@kj7vj]

Great video!

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks!

[@kj7vj]

@@RCworstwater I like how you present your videos, very detailed and informative !

[@VitorMadeira]

Your videos are really TOP! Thank you so very much and greetings from Portugal.

[@RCworstwater]

Thank you very much!

[@Richard-nq3rh]

I really like your videos, I'm learning and trying to understand everything But I could use your advice on my situation. I had a guy come out and inspect my well, He put a probe down the well and I hit the water at about 120' then he continued and when I came around to check on him he asks me how deep the well was cause he passed 400' and still dropping I said I think it was 125' to 175' so he pulled it back up and started again and came up with the depth of the well at 200' I don't know where the pump is setting at but he said I had about 75' of water in a 5" well casing which I was very happy with. Because I thought my well was drying up. About 2 weeks ago I was using the hose and after about 30min. I had only 3' of water coming out the nozzle and my pump wasn't pumping up any water after shutting off the pump and turning it back on 20 hours later it filled the 25gal pressure tank it took it 4.55min to fill. So after everything done we decided that the pump is going out and maybe we might need to drop the pump. So I would like to drop the pump to 180' giving a 20' space from the bottom of the well and would like to put in 2Hp pump 230volt two-wire. I would also like to put in a symcom pump saver to the system. But I'm not sure what pipe to use I feel i need another pump guy to come out with a camera to drop down my well to see what type of pipe i have and to see how far down the pump is so I would know how much more pipe I would need to reach the 180' mark. I also noticed the pumps at amazon, lowes, home depot had a 60-day warranty that isn't good the pump i have right now has lasted 45 years.

[@bikeninja956]

nice review, really helpful. Next up, which is better, submersible or well house pump?

[@danzarlengo7127]

A price comparison would be very helpful. Getting a price per foot for material is easy, but the fittings really add up. I would have liked something like: a well completely done with PVC is half the material cost of galvanized, and poly is 50% more than galvanized. But with the real numbers and not the ones I just completely made up. Thanks!

[@cjandauntieyaya1446]

I am looking to change from my system of 9 sch 80 PVC 20' length pipes connected with slip couplers for a continuous 170' length of HDPE since can just spool it out instead of having to stop every 20 feet to cut the length, remove and reset system for the next 20'. I use a 1" thick high tensile nylon rope connected to the submersible pump that is strung through a pulley system to pull the whole thing up so it isn't as if I am using the pipe to pull up or drop back down the well. I just need to see if there's a way to attach a connector to pump and up to the top well fitting that won't fail due to having the straight pipe tension pulling it back down. What schedule and PSI rating should I look for? I need to replace my system right now as the cheap pump gave out. Have already bought the 3HP submersible pump and I already have a spool of #10 insulated wire for the hookup. Any info you can give me is greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I'll just continue to use the system I have.

[@livinglifemyway7349]

Hi, I just bought a piece of property and it has a driven shallow well that works and the previous owners had a pitcher pump on it at the height of their back deck/porch. I want to shorten the well pipe to about 1 foot off the ground so I can put a electric shallow well pump there and not sitting on the deck. What can I use after I cut the pipe which will not have threads say a coupler to add a 6" piece of threaded 1 1/4" pipe that will go to the pump. Is there a special coupler that will work on non threaded end to join a threaded piece. ? thanks

[@stringham2020]

I enjoyed the video, I would like to know what would be the best application for the colder temperatures.

[@RCworstwater]

Temperature usually ins't a factor down the well because in colder climates the pitless adapter in the well is installed below the frost line. The pitless adapter is the 90º elbow that transitions from your drop pipe to buried pipe.

[@stringham2020]

@@RCworstwater thank you for the reply

[@fernandoguerra9783]

Can or should you add a check valve on poly pipe??

[@YouToobeism]

Nice intro into the three types of pipe for a water well. Your comment about the check valve might be the limiting factor of depth only applies if you have but one check valve. In the Pacific NW many wells are hundreds of feet deep. Those drop pipes are usually galvanized steel with a check valve each 200 feet, so no one check valve sees the pressure of the entire column of water once the pump turns off.

[@googacct]

What does an easy out for pulling pipe look like? All a google turns up are tools for extrating broken bolts.

[@headsails]

No PEX drop pipes?

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Hey I have a question about the pvc pipe how is it put together for a well that's 425 feet deep, I need a new pump and was just trying to find out what I could possibly be facing.

[@lnolt9805]

Poly pipe all the way. I used it in wells up to 500'. Just want to make sure your pipe is rated hogh enough psi. Easy-outs handle it without a problem with a little experience. You can pull the whole run without stopping to remove sections. (I've used them all)

[@JeffreyHawkins]

What is the longevity of PVC pipe, considering the start torque of something like a 2HP pump stressing it multiple times daily over 20+ years? I've heard it is occasionally a problem.

[@jcobregon08]

Can I use a 1 1/2 hp on 2 inch PVC at around 85ft. ?

[@deepakk1347]

12:03 PVC pipe: what you doing? He: Riding ya

[@jaymanansala4908]

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE PPR?

[@charvakkarpe]

Great video, but it left me wondering how much a 20 foot section of pipe weighs. Kind of an important part of assessing the magnitude of the job. Like, I need pipe delivered by a freight service because it's so long, or I can pick it up on my 18 foot trailer from some supply store. But can I manipulate each piece myself or do I need a helper? If I buy a winch to make a lifting rig, what kind of load ratings does it need? I'll look up the weights of pipes, but it would be nice to include in the video description.

[@arthurr8670]

As far as picking up the pipe, the 18 foot trailer should be fine. I forget if it's 3 or 4 feet you are allowed to overhang on the back of the trailer, and no the front has no limit, as long as you clear the tow vehicle, especially when making turns. At 20 feet, you would want a helper, especially with a metal pipe, it would make life much easier.

[@basecampwnc1745]

What is the depth on poly? Just because you do not like it other people do.

[@Backfire10]

My pump is set at 50ft. I have pulled poly pipe in the past. My pump is now attached by 1 1/4 schedule 80 pvc pipe. Do you feel I can pull this myself. What pipe holding clamp do you recomend? thanks

[@carlosguerra3188]

Have you seen/used Boreline Flexible Drop pipe?

[@RCworstwater]

I had not looked into it until you mentioned it. It's pretty neat, but not something we have really dealt with up in North Idaho.

[@jeffreyschmoldt7798]

Have a issue with the galvanised pipe from well to water. Can I sleeve the pipe with Polly pipe only need to go down 28 feet, with a 3/4 inch motor on pump..the galvanised. Pipe is 1 inch and 1/4 the Polly pipe is 1 inch. Will it work...thanks for the help..

[@RCworstwater]

I am not entirely sure what you're asking, can you please call us to discuss? 855.329.4519

[@walsterdoomit]

Thumbs up. But you never answered the one question I had. How long does the plastic pipe last? Do you recommend reusing it when changing pumps?

[@RCworstwater]

As long as there's no obvious damage to it you can definitely reuse it. Plastic drop pipe typically lasts a lifetime.

[@walsterdoomit]

R.C. Worst & Co., Inc. hey thanks for the answer! Turns out I’ve actually got city water. I had no idea! They’re coming tomorrow to see if they can find my lateral! I should maybe start a new thread. But do you have any comments on a hand pump for my well? Maybe you have a pin. All I can find for hand pumps is 25 feet head. My static is about 27 feet. 143 feet deep. 😊 cheers

[@RCworstwater]

@@walsterdoomit We don't sell them, but I suggest you look into Simple Pump (Simplepump.com)

[@housebuilder1924]

Most people wouldn't have a hoist. Galvanized pipe would weigh to much. Even for an 80ft drop. Sounds like I will take the PVC route for my 80ft drop. I had black poly pipe split on me before but I like the fact that they have no couplings. Thanks for the great video.

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks for watching!

[@thinkblue1987]

I just pulled out my pump and I had to inch stainless steel but I would like to put PVC do I put the same size? The well is 230 foot

[@RCworstwater]

If you follow the limitations in this video you should be ok with 2" PVC 120, but I would ask that you call us just to double check all your specs.

[@kayakdog121]

I just pulled 189 feet of galvanized pipe that had been in the ground 25 years. Every inch was in great shape except for a little rust on the coupling threads but those were reusable too. I think a lot depends on the quality and composition of the water as you said, but these pipes will be good for 50 years. I live in the Pacific nw.

[@RCworstwater]

Thanks for the comment!

[@walsterdoomit]

When scrapping metal pipe I’ve found the pipe could look fantastic like you said. But that tiny bit of rust at the threads snaps like a pretzel. I’d definitely recommend new threads every time.

[@floridaplumber7512]

Stainless over here in central Florida

[@RCworstwater]

Interesting, why is that?

[@simplyadventureswithsarah533]

I'm also curious as to why

[@tom99790]

Salt water intrusion, I suspect.

[@ignacioperez9174]

Can I use a 3 hp with one and one quarter pvc pipe

[@RCworstwater]

No, 2 HP is the max on 1.25" PVC.

[@Miamijunglist]

With supplies being finicky, it's hard to find 1" poly occasionally. Is 1 1/4 poly ok for the drop when the run to the house is 1"?

[@RCworstwater]

Yes

[@frankcherry3810]

When I had to replace my pump, we had to pull out 325 feet of Poly pipe. Like you said, coiled all over the yard. I was able to do it with 2 friends helping. The thing that discourages me on PVC is all the threaded connections. Lots of places to fail. And I cannot service it myself

[@chrismarsh455]

What kind of pipe should I run from my well at the surface back to my pressure tank under my house? I have to run 73ft underground and come up under my house and run over another 70ft to my pressure tank. My plumber said use 1 inch but didn’t say what kind of pipe.

[@chrismarsh455]

It is an old well we disconnected from our old double wide and are now hooking it up to our new construction house.

[@christopherhaak9824]

Most people use pex now, it lasts forever.

[@alfredoowns12]

Where can I purchase poly pipe

[@Dr.DoseOfLaughter]

what would happen if black iron is use for drop pipe compared to GI pipe

[@walsterdoomit]

Dr. Dose black pipe would rot out and leave your pump in the mud. It’s for gas lines.

[@mikestaub500]

Great videos! Does anyone ever mix galvanized drop pipe with PVC towards the bottom for longer runs to save on cost and weight? Is that an acceptable practice? My well will likely be in the 550 to 650' range and with current materials prices, we are looking for ways to find some cost savings.

[@bobbygetsbanned6049]

The video says 650' max depth for PVC so it seems like you would be fine but I'm no expert on wells.

[@notcharles]

Are there 'better' hose clamps for use on Poly Pipe connections? Are the metal connectors prefered over teh plastic connectors? I want to transition from the Poly Pipe to1-inch threaded ittings to connect to a filter in the well house.

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Always use stainless steel clamps and seal the connection to the pump with a water proof tape and a water proof heat shrink wrap, Always use black tape and tape the wire on the pump side and tape every 3 feet.

[@davidshriner1902]

We pulled our old 75' jet pump and it was all copper drop pipe.

[@jlaw8882]

But the fittings to join the PVC lengths are hardley ever full bore and push the fiction factor through the roof. On a 100ft well you need around 6 joints at least.

[@guruguy6800]

What about pex? I heard it is better than poly for a well.

[@RCworstwater]

You cannot hang a pump from pex pipe.

[@christopherhaak9824]

That is straight up wrong. Poly well pipe is pex!! It is crosslinked polyethylene, which by the way is not HDPE like you say. It's extremely strong. True that you can't use regular interior pex, but well poly is pex.

[@ianh.7822]

Galvanized pipe is not permitted (by code) in domestic water systems in many jurisdictions, furthermore, it is subject to electrolysis and galvanic corrosion, particularly closest to the motor. Our #1 and #2 reason for service calls are failed galvanized, and improperly installed systems. Where extreme depth is required, stainless steel is far superior.

[@vespatrixie2555]

IF you can afford it

[@sierradavison654]

I had a 100 ft pvc which come in 10 ft sections I got a bag of couplings got everything ready to drop Dow the well and just about to the end a coupling breaks so as I'm pulling it back out I have more breakage so frustrated been messing with this crap too long and wasting money

[@sierradavison654]

Using sch 80 1" pvc

[@VusaMoyo]

@@sierradavison654 Just use Poly Pipe. I'm in the ground 70m with the stuff. Works great.

[@williammackey7243]

I don't understand why you can't have a reel rolling up the poly pipe when you are pulling it out

[@iconic2114]

how much is the poly pipe?

[@RCworstwater]

Depends on the size. You're best off calling your local supply houses for pricing.

[@billveek9518]

This guy is nuts, poly pipe is the only way to go, he must have over bought pvc and needs to unload a shitload of it.

[@Poordirtfarmer]

👀👀

[@MasterKenfucius]

My 2 inch steel pipe on the artesian well lasted 8 short years. Now it has a number of small holes on it and the well will have to be abandoned. DO NOT use steel in areas where there is salt in the water. Go with PVC.

[@chrisminblkdiamond]

Why would you ever use galvanized pipe?

[@RCworstwater]

If you're deeper than 500 feet or over 2 HP you have to use galvanized pipe.

[@deltarampock5978]

@@RCworstwater what if the diameter of PVC pipe is greater than 1" or 1 1/2" is it still the same? i'm planning to install 2" pipe connect to ESP with masses around 30 kg @100 m.

[@farm1868]

Think your pressure loss is way off. 1" PVC has a loss of 14.2 PSI @100"

[@charvakkarpe]

Is that at 25 gpm?

[@davebrunson125]

polly is far superior to PVC much easier to pull. Anybody that cuts PVC pulling a pump is an amateur do not call yourself a pro. I've had Galv last only a couple years in wells with high iron content. 2hp on plastic is a very bad idea

[@JAmes-vm9ci]

easy out,,,poly is no good,,,please your smoking,,,stop drinking.......