Well Pump Repair

Signs of a Well Pump Problem

Well pump problems usually show up as changes in water pressure: sputtering faucets, pressure that rises and falls, or a pump that turns on and off rapidly.

• No water, or sputtering faucets
• Pressure that rises and falls
• The pump turns on and off rapidly (short cycling)
• Higher electric bills
• Cloudy or sandy water

Checking the Pressure Tank

Many well problems are really pressure tank problems. A tank with a failed bladder or low air charge makes the pump turn on and off rapidly, which wears it out. One simple check: with the pump's power off and the system drained, tap on the tank. A hollow sound near the top is normal; a solid sound all the way up suggests the tank is waterlogged. A plumber or well contractor can test the air charge and replace the tank before it takes the pump with it.

How a Well Pump Is Diagnosed and Repaired

The plumber or well contractor works from the simplest causes to the most involved: the breaker and pressure switch first, then the pressure tank's air charge, then the pump itself.

1. Check the power, breaker and pressure switch.
2. Test the pressure tank's air charge.
3. Test the pump's electrical draw and output.
4. Repair or replace the component, then check pressure and flow.

What Affects the Cost of Well Pump Repair

Repairs above ground, like a pressure switch or tank, cost far less than pulling a submersible pump out of the well.

• Pressure switch or tank repair versus pump replacement.
• Submersible pumps, which have to be pulled from the well.
• Well depth.
• Electrical problems at the control box or wiring.

When a Well Pump Failure Is an Emergency

• There's no water in the house.
• The pump is cycling on and off rapidly and nonstop.

Private Wells Near Large Cities

Most homes inside large cities are on public water. Well pump calls come mostly from rural and edge-of-city properties. If you're on a private well, health authorities recommend testing the water at least once a year for bacteria and nitrates, since no utility is testing it for you.

Wells and Septic Systems by City

What our city pages say about wells and septic systems:

• Spring Hill, FL: A full tank or a tired drain field pushes waste back into the house.
• Waldorf, MD: Older and rural lots rely on private wells and septic systems.
• Sicklerville, NJ: Some properties rely on private wells and septic systems.
• Shingle Springs, CA: Pumps and pressure tanks wear out on private wells.
• Suffolk, VA: Rural homes rely on well pumps, pressure tanks and septic systems.
• Danbury, CT: Homes outside the sewer area rely on a tank and leach field that need care.
• South Fulton, GA: Homes off the sewer rely on a tank and drain field that need care.

Before the Plumber Arrives

• Check the breaker for the pump.
• Note the pressure gauge reading on the tank.

Other Water Softeners & Filtration Services

• Water Softener Installation

Well Pump Questions