Plumbing service
Well pump repair
Short answer
When a private well home loses water or pressure, the cause is usually one of four parts: the pump, the pressure switch, the pressure tank, or the electrical supply. Rapid on-off cycling usually points to a waterlogged pressure tank. No water at all can be a tripped breaker, a failed switch or pump, or a well that's run low.
Updated · Editorial team; not yet technically reviewed
Well Pump Repair at a glance
- Pump types
- Submersible (in the well) and jet pumps (above ground, for shallower wells).
- Short cycling
- Usually pressure tank air charge or a failed bladder.
- No water
- Breaker, pressure switch, pump or motor, or low water level.
- Water quality
- Private well owners are responsible for testing; see filtration.
How a well system works
The pump lifts water from the well into a pressure tank. The tank holds water under an air cushion, so the pump doesn't start every time a faucet opens. A pressure switch starts the pump when pressure drops to a set point (for example 40 psi) and stops it at a higher one (for example 60 psi).
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check |
|---|---|---|
| No water | Tripped breaker, failed switch, pump or motor, low well | Breaker and switch first; call if the pump won't run |
| Pump starts and stops rapidly | Waterlogged pressure tank, wrong air charge | Tank air pressure should be set slightly below the cut-in pressure |
| Low or fluctuating pressure | Switch settings, clogged filter, failing pump | Check filters; watch the pressure gauge |
| Sputtering faucets | Air in the line; possibly a low water level | Call a well professional |
| Pump runs constantly | Leak, failing pump, broken pipe in the well | Shut off; call |
Safety
- Pressure switches carry line voltage. Switch off the breaker before removing the cover.
- Submersible pump work means pulling pipe and wire out of the well, a job for well or pump professionals.
- After repairs that open the well, disinfection and a bacteria test are commonly recommended.
What affects the cost
- Pressure switch or pressure tank repairs vs. pump replacement
- Pump type and well depth; pulling a deep submersible takes more labor and equipment
- Wiring or control box repairs
- Well disinfection and water testing after repairs
- Emergency timing when the home has no water
We don't publish prices; they vary by market. Get a written quote first.
Problems that lead to well pump repair
- Hot water smells like rotten eggsWhy only the hot water smells of sulfur, how the water heater's anode rod is involved, and the fixes that work, plus when the smell could be gas.
- No water in the houseWhy water stops at every faucet: utility outages and main breaks, a closed valve, frozen pipes, a well pump failure or an unpaid shutoff. How to tell which.
Common questions
Is no water from a well always a bad pump?
No. Check the breaker and the pressure switch first. A failed switch, a tripped breaker or a pressure tank problem can look like a pump failure.
How long do well pumps last?
It varies with the pump type, water quality and how often it cycles. A pump that short-cycles because of a bad pressure tank wears out faster, so fixing the tank protects the pump.
Why does my well pump keep turning on and off?
Most often the pressure tank has lost its air charge or its bladder has failed, so there's little stored water between cycles.