Your well water pump is probably one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. We use water for everything, from drinking and cooking to showering and laundry. Your well pump is responsible for providing your home with an ample supply of clean, fresh water whenever you need it. Unfortunately, well water pumps are built to last about 8 to 10 years, though with regular well pump inspections, maintenance, and timely repairs if needed, they can last well over 15 years.
How to Tell If You Need A New Well Pump
If your well pump is getting older, or you’re unsure of the age of the equipment, here are the signs you need to watch out for to determine if it’s time to replace your well water pump, along with how to troubleshoot issues you’re experiencing.
No Water Is Coming from Your Faucet
Assuming the Raleigh area is not experiencing a serious drought or water shortage, not having any water into your home is most likely an issue with your well equipment. We know this may seem like a no-brainer – if you turn on the water and nothing happens, clearly there’s a serious issue that is possibly caused by a water pump failure. Turn your well water pump off immediately, and check out the troubleshooting tips at the bottom of this article.
Low Water Pressure or “Spitting”
Again, assuming that there isn’t a serious drought in Raleigh affecting water levels, if you have poor water pressure, or low, steady water pressure that’s interrupted by air bubbles in the pipes (creating a “spitting” effect), your well water pump may be starting to wear out. A decrease in water pressure or air in your pipes is often due to an older or faulty pump being unable to maintain its original efficiency and can’t pull as much water from the well as it used to.
Well Pump Runs Non-Stop
As your well water pump struggles to maintain your home’s water needs, it will run more in order to try and keep up with demand. If you’re not sure if your pump is running constantly, check the pressure switch and see if it’s clicking off and on frequently. Also, a spike in your electric bill is another clue your pump is running non-stop.
Troubleshooting Well Pump Problems
So, you know there’s a problem with your well pump, but you’re not quite sure what it is. You can either troubleshoot the equipment failure yourself, or you can call a reliable well pump service to help you diagnose and fix the problem. But first, let’s review the most common issues with well water pumps.
Power Failure
Check to see if the circuit connected to your well water pump has flipped. If so, reset it, and if it doesn’t happen again, it was probably just a one-time issue. If it continues to trip, it is a sign you need well pump service.
Pressure Tank
Water that’s pumped from your well is held in a pressure tank until you turn on a faucet, which causes air pressure in the tank to push water into your plumbing pipes. When there is zero water or minimal water pressure, check your pressure tank – it should be reading at least 20psi (or higher, depending on the type of tank). If it’s at zero, call your well repair provider to fix the issue.
Plumbing Issue
Many of the issues that are signs of a well water pump failure are also signs of a serious plumbing issue, such as a clog or break in the main pipe. If you hear your well pump running constantly – a telltale sign is a clicking sound of the pressure switch – check for pooling water in your yard. Turn your well pump off immediately, and call an expert plumber.
Would you like more information about well water pump repair and installation? Visit our well pump blog.
