Don’t just shrug and say, “Oh well,” to these signs
Check for dirty or smelly water if you suspect well pump problems.
An incorrectly sized well pump can cause poor water pressure or water contamination.
A faulty pressure switch costs around $30 to repair and is one of the easiest fixes.
Replacing a well pump costs $975–$2,750.
There are many signs of well pump failure to watch out for if you’re worried about your family’s water supply. A well pump helps pull water from your well into the household plumbing, but when the well pump fails, you’re left with little to no water (plus there’s a risk of contaminating the well water). Be sure to look out for these common signs that something’s wrong so that you can get the well pump repaired ASAP.
The purpose of a well pump is to, well, pump water. So if your well pump isn't working, you’ll probably notice that you can’t get any water from it. This is one of the most obvious well pump problems and is naturally quite easy to diagnose yourself. Of course, fixing it is another matter.
If nothing happens when you turn on a faucet or flush your toilet, that's a sign of the pump not functioning properly. It may not be pulling from the well at all, or you could have a major leak on your hands. Either way, this is a sure sign you need immediate action. If you’re not sure how to replace a well pump, it’s worth calling a few experts to get a sense of what your options are.
If you turn on the faucet and notice air coming out in addition to water—you'll be able to hear a spitting sound as the air mixes with the water—then the pump could be the problem.
It could be that the water pump has been installed higher than the water level in your well, so it is poorly pumping water and pulling in a lot of air at the same time. You could also have leaks in your pipes, which are letting water out and letting air in.
Air mixing with water in the system is one of the more common well pump repair costs, but it’s a less expensive fix than repairing the pump entirely. We recommend hiring a well pump repair service near you to inspect your system.
A pump that seems to be running all the time is a pump that is struggling to properly move water through the system. This indicates that there may be a leak in the system or some issue with the pressure tank. You may also have a leak in the suction line, which means your intake pipe needs to be primed. On the other hand, it could be a simpler issue with an easier fix, such as a bad well pump pressure switch.
Eventually, the pump will wear down and fail completely, so it's an issue you need to address even if it's doing a decent job of pumping water in the meantime. This problem has numerous possible causes, so a professional inspection is likely your best course of action.
If the water comes out in a dribble when you turn on the faucet or start the shower, your pump could be to blame. Naturally, this is often due to an issue with the pressure tank specifically, but it could also mean a low water level in the well or that you don’t have the size of well pump that you need.
Not all pumps are the same; they need to be the correct size for your home, which is determined by factors like overall water usage and how many faucets and toilets you have. If you have a pump that’s too small, the heavy demand on it may cause problems with low water pressure. A professional can help you to determine whether that’s the case.
If the water is coming out with dirt or sediment, your pump may be to blame. Dirty water could be a sign the pump is actually too powerful, and so it's pulling everything up from the well, including debris. But that's not the only possible cause. The pump's filter may be damaged, allowing dirt to get into the pumps. Or the pump may have been installed in the wrong location.
If the water appears dirty, don't consume it. Call a professional to diagnose the problem and avoid using the water until then.
When your well pump is constantly running to move water to the plumbing system, or if certain parts of the pump have worn out and put more strain on the other parts, it can leave you with some sticker shock when your next electric bill arrives.
A faulty well pump means the pump needs to draw more energy, making the entire plumbing system run less efficiently. Any plumbing parts connected to electricity, such as a shower or appliances connected to an electric water heater, will need more energy as they try to compensate for the malfunctioning well pump.
If the well pump filter wears out, your well pump will draw dirt, debris, bacteria, and other contaminants found underground along with the water. This can cause your tap water to taste bad.
If you notice a weird or plain ole bad taste in the water when you brush your teeth or take a sip, stop drinking the water immediately and call in a pro to inspect the problem.
"Get your well water sampled at a lab every year. You always want to know what is in your water and how good it is."
— Constantin Geambasu, Owner of Water Rehab, Gilbert, Arizona
One of the most common signs of well pump failure is a continuous clicking noise coming from the pressure tank. If the air bladder in the pressure tank leaks or bursts, it triggers the well pump to run constantly or start and stop frequently. This will lead to clicking sounds coming from the pressure tank.
If a pro doesn’t come to repair it, the faulty air bladder inside the pressure tank will wear out the well pump motor faster, leading to bigger, costlier repairs.
If you’ve noticed a problem with your water pump, don’t ignore it, as it will only get worse. You run the risk of exacerbating damage to your well pump components, contaminating your well with dirty water, or possibly needing to repair most (or all) of the system later on. If you’ve noticed any of the above issues, you have a few options to get proactive about addressing them.
If you’re prompt enough about addressing well pump problems, you can likely restore the system to full working order with just a few repairs. Whether it’s a leaky pipe fitting, a punctured air bladder, or simply a faulty pressure switch, repairing is always a less expensive option than replacing well pump system components. A well system expert can help pinpoint the source of your trouble and provide a quote for the cost of well pump repairs.
Sometimes, there’s no way around it—a part of your well pump is too badly damaged and needs to go. Depending on the part that needs to be replaced, this could be a minor inconvenience (a well pressure switch, for example, can cost as little as $30), or a major expense (a well pump replacement could run you anywhere from $975 to $2,800). Your well expert can provide advice on what needs to be replaced and how to get the best bang for your buck.
If you’re confident working with well pump systems and want to go the DIY route, it can be a good way to save money that would otherwise go toward well service labor costs. Of course, there are risks associated with the DIY route—damaged wells can pose an electrical risk, and there’s always the worry of making a mistake and causing even more damage if you’re not careful. Of course, there are certain tasks that are quite easy to do on your own. For instance, you can learn how to check a well pump in just a few minutes and run a quick test that same day.
