Moving a Borehole Pump, Water Tank and Plumbing Fittings

The plumber has pulled the pump out of the borehole, it is lying on the compound floor in a puddle, and the 1,000-litre tank on the roof is still half full. The new house is on the other side of town, and nobody has decided who is carrying what.

Water equipment looks tough, but pumps, float valves and plastic tanks all fail in quiet ways. A cracked tank or a motor that took in water will not show a fault until you switch it on at the new place. A little order on the day prevents that.

Before the truck arrives

Do the dirty work first, so the load is dry and light.

1. Switch off the power supply to the pump and the control box, and keep the breaker off until the new house is ready.
2. Drain the overhead tank and every pipe you plan to take. Leave the taps open so the lines empty fully.
3. Photograph the control box wiring, the pressure switch and the pipe layout before you disconnect anything. These photos save your plumber an hour.
4. Label each pipe end and fitting with masking tape and a number. Write the same number on a sketch.
5. Bag the small parts (unions, elbows, valves, clamps) by room or by line, and tape each bag to the pipe it belongs with.

Pulling a submersible pump from a deep borehole is a job for the person who installed it or a trained technician. Do not try to lift it by the cable. If the landlord owns the borehole, check what is yours to take before the day.

Packing the pump and the control gear

• The pump: wipe it dry, and plug the outlet with a cap or thick tape so dirt stays out. Wrap the motor in a blanket and carry it upright or lying in a padded crate. Never let it roll about on the truck bed.
• The cable: coil it in loose loops, not a tight knot, and check the insulation for nicks. If it is damaged, replace it at the new site rather than reusing it.
• The control box and pressure switch: keep them dry and upright, and pack them with the pump so they do not get separated.
• Surface pumps and pressure tanks: drain the pressure vessel, and carry it upright. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for anything with a diaphragm.

If the pump is old, ask yourself honestly whether it is worth moving. A pump that has been struggling for a year will not improve after a truck ride.

The overhead tank

Plastic tanks scratch and crack easily, especially at the outlet. Empty it, remove the float valve and the fittings, and screw the caps back on. Roll it carefully out of the stand, never drag it across concrete.

On the truck, a tank is light but bulky. A big tank can lie on its side only if the load is secured so it does not rub against the sides. For a long trip, tie it down with straps and padding at the contact points. Our guide on securing a load with straps, ropes and tarpaulins covers the knots and the checks.

Metal tank stands and pipe lengths are heavier than they look. Tie pipe bundles together at both ends, and mark the longest piece so the driver knows where the overhang is.

Loading order

Water gear is usually part of a bigger move. Put it in the load like this:

1. Heavy items (generator, fridge, cabinets) go first, against the front.
2. The pump, control box and cable go in a padded corner, not under heavy things.
3. Pipes and stands run along one side, tied in place.
4. The tank goes last, near the tail, or on top of soft items where it cannot be crushed.
5. Bags of fittings travel in your own car or in a labelled box on top.

If the household is also moving a generator, read our generator moving checklist so fuel and oil are handled properly.

At the new house

Do not rush to switch on. Check the supply, the tank stand and the pipe route first. Reassemble using your numbered photos, then fill the tank slowly and watch every joint for drips before you leave it running. Test the pump briefly with water around it, and listen for grinding or a motor that will not start. Call the technician early if anything looks wrong, because running a pump dry or with a blocked inlet can burn the motor.

How to do this on Sphere

Open the app and choose a pickup van for a small set of fittings and a pump, or a truck if you are moving a large tank, stand and pipes with the rest of the house. Add the pickup and drop-off, list the items with their approximate sizes, and say plainly that a tank and long pipes are included. Propose a price, then let nearby verified drivers accept or send counter-offers. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer. See house moving in Lagos for the wider plan.