Common Signs of Well Pump Failure and What to Do About It

If your well pump is working as it should, you'll never notice it. The water will run just fine when you turn on a faucet, flush a toilet, or run the shower. A water pump is a device that sits above the ground and pulls water from the well into the pipe system that connects to your home. But if the well pump is going bad, it will cause all sorts of problems, and it’s often hard to figure out what went wrong. Here are some signs to look out for so you can catch these problems earlier.

How to Tell if You Need a New Well Pump

Wondering if you need to start budgeting for a well pump replacement? Here are some of the top signs of well pump failure to be on the lookout for:

No Water

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.

Air in the Pipes

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 usually a cheaper fix than repairing the pump entirely. We recommend hiring a well pump repair service to inspect your system.

The Pump Is Constantly Running

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.

Poor Water Pressure

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.

Dirty Water

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.

Solutions for Your Well Pump Problems

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.

Well Pump Repair

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 cheaper option than replacing well pump system components. A well system expert can help pinpoint the source of your trouble and provide a quote for repairs to the damaged components.

Well Pump Replacement

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 be as cheap as $30), or a major expense (a well pump replacement could run you anywhere from $975 to $2,750). Your well expert can provide advice on what needs to be replaced and how to get the best bang for your buck.

DIY Well Pump Servicing

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.

Don’t Ignore Well Pump Issues

As you can see, well pump systems and their common issues can get a little complex. If you’re having trouble with your well water supply and aren’t sure where to start, we recommend getting in touch with a well pump repair service near you. They can inspect your pump and provide a recommendation and a quote so you can deal with the problem immediately and sleep easier.