Professional Borehole Installation Services

A professionally installed borehole system is the foundation of reliable water independence. While drilling creates the water source, installation transforms it into a fully functional water supply system. Borehole Pros specializes in complete system integration—from submersible pump placement to household plumbing connection—ensuring your borehole operates flawlessly for decades.

Our certified installation team has completed over 800 full system setups across Johannesburg and surrounding areas. We understand that proper installation is critical: an incorrectly installed pump can fail within months, while professional setup ensures 20+ years of trouble-free operation. Every installation follows strict technical standards and includes comprehensive testing before handover.

Complete Borehole Installation Process

Our installation process is methodical and comprehensive, designed to deliver a turnkey water system. Here's what happens during professional borehole installation:

Step 1: System Design & Pump Selection — We begin by analyzing your water requirements, borehole depth, and property layout. This determines pump capacity, pressure system sizing, and plumbing configuration. Residential properties typically need 1-2 kW submersible pumps, while commercial installations may require 3-5 kW systems. Proper sizing prevents equipment failure and ensures adequate water pressure throughout your property.

Step 2: Submersible Pump Installation — The pump is lowered into the borehole at the optimal depth—typically 10-15 meters below the static water level. This positioning ensures the pump never runs dry while maximizing efficiency. We use stainless steel suspension cables rated for long-term submersion, preventing pump drop failures that plague amateur installations.

Step 3: Rising Main & Plumbing Connection — High-grade HDPE piping connects the pump to your property's water system. We install proper check valves, isolation valves, and drainage points for maintenance access. All connections are pressure-tested to 1.5x operating pressure, ensuring leak-free operation. Underground piping is bedded in sand and protected from root intrusion.

Step 4: Pressure System Installation — A pressure tank and control system regulate water delivery to your taps. We install commercial-grade pressure vessels sized to minimize pump cycling, extending equipment life. Digital pressure controllers maintain consistent water pressure (typically 2.5-3.5 bar) throughout your property, matching municipal supply performance.

Step 5: Electrical Connection & Protection — Safe electrical installation is critical. We connect pumps through dedicated circuits with proper earth leakage protection and overload safeguards. All electrical work complies with SANS 10142-1 standards and includes lightning surge protection. Automatic controllers start and stop the pump based on water demand, preventing manual operation hassles.

Step 6: System Testing & Commissioning — Before handover, we conduct comprehensive testing: flow rate verification, pressure stability checks, electrical safety testing, and extended run testing. We measure actual flow rates against design specifications, ensuring your system delivers promised performance. Any issues are corrected immediately.

Pump Selection: Critical Installation Decision

Selecting the right pump is the most important installation decision. An undersized pump delivers insufficient water pressure. An oversized pump wastes electricity and wears prematurely. Our engineers calculate exact requirements based on:

• Borehole depth and water column: Determines required pump head (lifting capacity)
• Peak water demand: Number of simultaneous taps, irrigation needs, household size
• Property elevation and distance: Additional head requirements for multi-story or large properties
• Borehole yield capacity: Pump cannot exceed sustainable extraction rate

We exclusively use premium submersible pumps from Grundfos, Pedrollo, and Franklin Electric—brands proven for longevity in South African conditions. These pumps feature stainless steel construction, thermal overload protection, and efficiency ratings that minimize electricity consumption. A quality pump typically costs ZAR 8,000-15,000 but lasts 15+ years with proper installation.

Pressure System Configuration

The pressure system is your borehole's interface with household plumbing. It creates the consistent water pressure you experience at taps and showers. Without proper pressure control, you'd experience pressure fluctuations every time the pump starts or stops—an unacceptable user experience.

Our installations use bladder-type pressure vessels ranging from 50L (small residential) to 300L (commercial applications). These tanks store pressurized water, allowing the pump to rest between cycles. Larger tanks mean less frequent pump starts, extending equipment life significantly. We pair tanks with digital pressure controllers featuring adjustable cut-in/cut-out settings, allowing customization to your preferences.

Modern installations include smart controllers with dry-run protection—automatically shutting down if the borehole water level drops too low. This prevents catastrophic pump damage during droughts or excessive water usage. Controllers also provide cycle counters and runtime monitoring, invaluable for maintenance scheduling.

Plumbing Integration Methods

Connecting your borehole to existing plumbing requires careful planning. We offer three integration approaches based on your needs and budget:

Direct Connection: Borehole water replaces municipal supply entirely. Most cost-effective but requires high-quality borehole water suitable for all uses. Ideal when water testing confirms potability or when used exclusively for irrigation and outdoor purposes. Installation cost: ZAR 3,500-6,000.

Dual System with Manual Switching: Separate plumbing for borehole and municipal water with valve switching. Allows you to use borehole water for toilets, washing machines, and irrigation while keeping municipal water for kitchen and drinking. Manual changeover provides backup during maintenance. Installation cost: ZAR 8,500-12,000.

Automatic Dual System: Sophisticated setup using automatic changeover valves. Primarily runs on borehole water but seamlessly switches to municipal supply if borehole pressure drops. Provides uninterrupted water supply with maximum borehole usage. Preferred for critical applications. Installation cost: ZAR 15,000-22,000.

Electrical Installation & Safety

Borehole pumps operate on 220V single-phase or 380V three-phase power, depending on size. All electrical work is performed by certified electricians following SANS 10142-1 wiring standards. Safety is paramount when combining electricity with water systems.

Every installation includes dedicated circuit breakers rated for motor starting currents, earth leakage units (ELCBs) providing 30mA trip protection, and surge arrestors protecting against lightning damage. The pump motor requires overload protection calibrated to its specific amp rating, preventing burnout from jammed impellers or low voltage conditions.

We install waterproof junction boxes for all underground cable connections, using marine-grade cable glands and silicone sealing. Cable sizing accounts for voltage drop over distance—undersized cables cause motor inefficiency and premature failure. All installations receive compliance certificates acceptable to insurance companies.

Installation Costs & Timeline

Professional borehole installation costs vary based on system complexity and property requirements. Here's typical pricing for complete installations:

Post-Installation Support & Warranty

Every Borehole Pros installation includes comprehensive warranty coverage and ongoing support. Our standard warranty covers:

• 12-month full system warranty: All labor, materials, and equipment covered
• Manufacturer pump warranty: 2-5 years depending on brand (we handle claims)
• Free 6-month service: Inspection, testing, and minor adjustments included
• Lifetime technical support: Phone and email support for operational questions

We maintain detailed installation records for every system, including pump specifications, electrical schematics, and plumbing diagrams. These records are invaluable for future maintenance or modifications. Customers receive complete documentation at handover, including operation manuals, warranty certificates, and emergency shutdown procedures.

Why Choose Borehole Pros for Installation

Installation quality determines your borehole system's lifespan and reliability. Here's why over 800 customers have trusted Borehole Pros:

Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment

Even perfectly installed systems require regular maintenance. Annual servicing extends equipment life from 15 years to 25+ years—a significant return on a modest maintenance investment. Our maintenance plans include:

Annual pump inspection and performance testing, pressure system calibration and tank inspection, valve operation verification and lubrication, electrical connection inspection and tightening, water quality sampling and bacterial testing, controller software updates and settings verification. Most issues we prevent through maintenance would cost ZAR 3,000-8,000 to repair. Annual maintenance costs just ZAR 1,200-1,800—excellent value protection.