Today I have something really important to share…
A Complete Guide To Buying and Installing A Manual Water Well Pump
Because unfettered access to your water without the grid is vital to preparedness.
It allows you to use your muscles to quench your thirst.
That way, you’ll never have to worry about dehydration again.
TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
- Best Well Hand Pump Kits
- What Are They & How They Work?
- Hand Well Pump Features
- 4 Types Of Manual Well Pumps
- Sizing An Emergency Well Pump
- How To Install One Yourself
- DIY Deep Well Hand Pumps
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Best Well Hand Pump Kits For Sale
You could scour the internet, trying to find and compare the best backup options for your setup.
But here at Skilled Survival, we’ve done all that heavy lifting for you.
Here are our recommendations for the best hand pumps on the market today:
If you want a simple off-grid deep well hand pump you can't go wrong with this one from Legacy.
You can only store so much water ahead of a future emergency. So it's essential you have a lightweight manual pump you can pull out in an emergency.
Take it out of the box and you're ready to go.
There's no assembly with Legacy's emergency hand well pump. Because once you open it up it goes right into your well.
Adjust the pipe length and you are good to go.
It's also easy to pump so your kids can get in on the action.
With a simple setup and great portability, this pump is exactly what you need in an emergency.
PROS
- Excellent portability / Lightweight
- No Assembly (just adjust pipe length)
- Affordable (vs other options)
CONS
- The materials used are not as durable as metal
- Not designed as a permanent installation
↓ Gunslinger: Emergency Well Water Hand Pump
↓ Emergency Well Pump Demo
If you have a deep well you want to access manually, Simple Pump is here for you.
They reach almost all deep wells up to 325 feet and can fit right next to your submersible pump.
It's made to fit many handle sizes.
Also, you can convert it from a hand pump to a motorized pump with a solar-powered Simple Pump motor.
There are only a few parts so maintenance is simple and it works well in freezing conditions.
They use aerospace-grade stainless steel. Steel that's computer machined for exacting precision. So it's well made and long-lasting.
You can even pump directly into your pressure tank to get water inside your house.
You have 24/7 access to your well water regardless of whether the power grid is operating.
Simple Pump is a high-quality off-grid deep well hand pump that won’t let you down.
PROS
- Very high-quality materials used
- The precision design and parts
- Made to be installed and used anytime to save on power or emergency
CONS
- Very Expensive
↓ The Simple Pump Will Blow Your Mind
Bison is another manufacturer of great well hand pumps and they are best sellers in the category.
A Bison Pump is made from 304 stainless steel on the body, handle, lift rod, and accompanying hardware.
All component welds are professional and have a durable hand-polished finish.
With stainless, there is no chance of rust. So your drinking water is safe and secure, without contamination.
You don’t have to prime the pump and there is little maintenance.
It's also an all-weather pump. One you can use all year round without worrying about freezing. And there’s a tamper-proof security option you can add on as well.
Once you take 4-5 strokes you will get a water flow of about 20 ounces per stroke.
Bison offers a lifetime warranty on this deep-well hand pump. And they stand behind their products because they're THAT good.
PROS
- The all-weather pump can handle winter temps
- Low maintenance system
- Can upgrade to a tamper-proof security option
CONS
- Probably very expensive (have to call to get a quote)
↓ Demo: Bison Deep Well Hand Pump In Winter
FloJak Plus is another great well hand pump system you can get up and running for any off-grid well.
It comes in a 50, 100, and 150-foot options, depending on your well depth. And it's a narrow design that fits into an existing well beside an electric pump.
Determine the depth of the static water level so you can adjust the length of the PVC pipe.
Make sure to connect the pipes with primer and PVC cement for a tight, sealed bond.
Feeding it down the well may take a few people. Because you must position the rigid pipe slowly down beyond the water level.
Most of the upper, above-ground components are made of sanitary-grade stainless steel. Thus, are very rugged to last a lifetime.
The pumping action pushes water up the rod and out the handle. This design gives a smooth flow of pressurized water that can feed into your house’s plumbing system.
Thus allowing you to flush toilets, shower, and run water in the sink.
PROS
- Narrow design work alongside an existing electric pump
- Uses sanitary grade stainless steel (lasts a lifetime)
CONS
- More susceptible to freezing cold temps
↓ FloJak Instructional Video
For wells that have static water from 40-200 feet, the Apocalypse AR and SJ models can do the pumping for you.
They're designed with a pump and cable. This delivers water from your well with the upstroke pulling the cable. And moving water up while weights and gravity produce the downstroke.
The AR model pumps up to 3.5 GPM, while the SJ model pumps 1.5 GPM. The difference in models is the size of the piston and the length of the stainless steel cable.
This cable design is more cost-effective than pump rods. So they can lift water effectively from deeper wells.
They also use Teflon seals, and unlike rubber seals that may last up to 10 years, Teflon is indefinite. They claim they may even outlast the well.
All components are rustproof with PVC, Teflon, and stainless steel. And the installation is quick, clocking in at around 2 hours.
PROS
- Uses Teflon Seals to prevent rusting, corrosion, or freezing
- Maintenance-free and reliable
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
CONS
- Assembly Is More Complex Than Other Options
- Price Is Higher Than Other Options
↓ AR Demo Lift
What Is A Hand Pump & How They Work
An emergency hand pump is a device for manually pumping water from a well.
A lever is attached to a connecting rod that pivots and plunges water when operated.
When you raise the lever, a piston gets lowered, creating suction.
And when the lever is lowered, a washer cuts off the flow of water, so it builds up in the pump.
As you continue to pump, the water level increases until it flows out of the outlet valve.
↓ How Hand Pumps Work (hydraulic water pump)!
Now, where do you need such an emergency backup pump?
- Off-grid cabin
- Bug out location
- Homestead
- Farm
- Backup to an existing electric pump
We’ve all experienced times when the power goes out, and you’re left in the dark.
It sucks but is usually only short-term.
But what if it wasn’t? What will you do if there’s a large-scale catastrophe or major disruption to the energy grid?
A Nuclear Attack or an EMP?
Well, that’s why you need a surefire way to get water for your long-term survival.
Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.Best Hand Well Pump Features & Benefits
Now, you’re here at Skilled Survival because you want to learn how to thrive in an emergency situation.
You want to become resilient to a worst-case scenario.
And that means figuring out your survival plans, including:
- Bug-out location
- Food
- Medical supplies
- Survival gear
- Backup power
- And most important, water
Water is the elixir of life, and without it, you’re done.
You must have a constant drinking water supply at home or in your cabin in the woods.
And if you aren’t on a municipal water source, you get your water from a well.
Water wells are a great, independent source of H2O, but we still rely on power to operate a pump.
But what if the grid goes down and there’s no electricity?
Or is the sun behind clouds, and your solar water pump is also down?
You need a backup plan to get your water to the surface.
Beyond the obvious reasons, there are also many other benefits to investing in a backup well pump.
Cheap and Durable
These pumps don’t rely on electricity. Instead, it gets its power from YOU.
You don’t pay for power when you use it; you use your muscles.
They also have very few moving parts to break, so maintenance is minimal.
Versatile and Efficient
An emergency well pump works in many applications, including gardening, construction, and homesteading.
You can operate them at different heights, from deep wells to shallow wells.
Heck, they even work in water drums.
And the only limits to capacity are your own brute strength and persistence.
This gives you great efficiency for all your needs in a survival situation.
They operate quietly and are safe for all family members to use.
Easy Installation
With demand comes innovation.
The kit you can buy nowadays are very easy to install and gets you up and running fast.
First, you need to determine the total depth of your existing well.
That way, you can connect the necessary amount of pipe to extend your hand pump below the waterline.
Most models are compact and will connect fast, so you are good to go.
Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.4 Types Of Manual Well Pumps
Gone are the days of digging a well and using a bucket and rope to scoop up the water.
Depending on the depth of your well, there are several types of water well hand pumps to choose from.
1. Suction
These are for rural farms or homesteads where you need to access water from a well where no power is available.
They are low-cost pumps for shallow wells with a lift capacity of around 20 feet.
You need to work at a steady pace to get (and keep) the water flow going.
2. Piston
This type of emergency non-electric well pump works for slightly deeper water levels.
These wells are over 25 feet deep and use a piston to displace the water upward.
You draw water up and trap it above a valve check valve.
So wh pumping the handle down forces the water out of the spout.
3. Deep Well
This is the best solution when lifting water beyond 35 feet.
They use a mechanical system like a flywheel and are more heavy-duty and stronger.
There’s virtually no limit to the depth they can operate.
The only limit is the elbow grease of the person operating it.
4. Lift
This option gives access to water over 100 feet deep.
These depths are often necessary in poor or developing areas of the world.
It includes cylinders to scoop the water and bring it upward with chain looping when you operate it.
It is an old hand-pumping technology but works great without much effort.
Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.How To Size An Emergency Well Pump
Before shopping, you must figure out the proper size.
That means you have to determine your static water level first.
This is the distance from the top of the well at ground level down to the top of the water level in the well.
You have crushed rock of all sizes, from gravel to sand.
Where the water level starts, you’ll find saturated crushed rock.
And this is where your well is dug past to access the water.
Often your electric pump will sit at the bottom.
So you only need to reach around 10 feet below the water level to successfully operate.
Perform a depth test with a weighted line.
Use a non-lead weight and a bobber so it will reach the water.
Once the bobber floats on the water, take up the slack and mark the line.
Then you can pull it back up and measure the distance to get your depth.
The depth of the water level will determine the right type for you.
↓ Well Pump Sizing
Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.How To Install A Hand Well Pump
Installation of these devices can range from fairly easy to complex.
Of course, follow ALL the instructions that come with any new well-hand pump kit.
You will have a flexible plastic hose or a semi-rigid PVC pipe, depending on the design.
You’ll feed either of these down your existing or new well.
Feed it in slowly, so you don’t damage any electrical wiring from the existing pump or the pump itself.
Usually, existing wells will have an electric pump sitting on the bottom of the dug well.
The new one will be submerged around 10 feet past the static waterline.
With the piping in place, you can secure the pump mechanism at the top and attach all components.
Want a free 78 item prepper checklist?
Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.DIY Deep Well Pump
If you don’t want to spend money, you can always attempt to make your own.
You will need some basic tools and equipment, but if you are handy, it will work.
You can put together your own with PVC pipe from your local building store.
Make sure to buy the right length for your deep well depth.
Start by constructing the foot valve assembly.
This will let water into the pipe cylinder without letting it back out.
Next, you build the plunger mechanics to seal the cylinder and create suction.
It also has a second valve to force water into the upper pipe.
First, determine the length of pipe required to go beyond the static water level.
Then you can assemble and put the piping down the well.
Build the head assembly and attach it to the piping, so water flows out of a spout with a lever arm and handle.
It is a fairly straightforward installation.
But you can get help online to construct each component properly.
Here’s a video on one way you can build:
↓ SIMPLE DIY Well Hand Pump
Prepare, Adapt & Overcome,
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