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Over 43 million Americans still get potable water from a private well according to a U.S. Geological Survey study – roughly 15 percent of the population. The well pump is thus one of the most important day-to-day tools for many Americans and well pump service is a critical need.

The responsibility for maintaining a private well system thus falls to whoever owns the property the well is situated on. It can be a headache for a private homeowner with no technical expertise to understand and address maintenance issues as they crop up.

Well pumps come in various types: shallow well jet pumps mounted above a well use suction power to create atmospheric pressure that pushes water up from a source no more than 25 ft. underground. Deep well jet pumps, for pumping from a source more than 25 ft. underground, place the jet mechanism at the bottom of the water source; the jet pushes and pulls water in a circulating motion through a two-pipe system.

In a submersible well pump system, the entire body of the pump is placed underwater and pushes the water up the well instead of using suction. These compact pumps are generally more efficient and reliable than older jet pump models.

Each type of well pump has its strengths and weaknesses, but they all require consistent maintenance.

People who get their potable water from municipal systems probably have the luxury of not thinking about pumps. If you draw your potable water from a well, you must remain vigilant about the problems you could face.

That means being watchful of certain symptoms that could indicate your well pump might need maintenance or replacement. The following are some of the most common symptoms that  cause customers to consult Pump Products technicians.

[This post is meant to be a basic overview. It is not a comprehensive how-to manual or a call to poke around in your system. Please do not hesitate to contact the trained professionals at Pump Products to directly address specific issues. It is recommended that all electrical work be handled by a qualified electrician.]

Well Pump Service and Repair

No Water
The most obvious sign that you should check your well pump is that you are not receiving any water. You have nothing to drink and you can’t wash your dirty dishes. Worse, the home garden you planted in your backyard is withering. The beautiful dream of ripe summer tomatoes with every meal is dead.

The most basic prerequisite for consistent water pumping is making sure you have the proper pump for your needs. How deep is your well? If the water source is more than 25 ft. deep, you cannot use a shallow well jet pump, but a deep well jet pump or submersible might work.

What are your water flow requirements? A small household that only uses well water for drinking and cleaning will probably use a different type of pump than a farmer who use well water for an irrigation system.

The flow of water is measured in GPM or gallons per minute. You can calculate GPM by referring to the National Standard Plumbing Code, using the chart below or simply using an ordinary bucket and a watch (For instance if it takes 1 minute to fill a five gallon bucket: 5 x 1 = 5 gallons per minute).

TDH or total dynamic head is also important to know as it measures the distance in feet the water must move through the piping while taking friction loss into account. You can calculate TDH by using the following formula: Fixture Friction + Length of Pipe/100 x Friction Loss Multiplier. 

One of the most common culprits for lack of water is the simplest to address: the pump has no power. Incorrect or faulty wiring or a blown fuse could cause the pump to trip or short out. The power source you are using for the pump might be inadequate. Have a licensed electrician examine the pump and accompanying electrical parts such as the fuse box, control panel and wiring.

Low Pressure
Few things are as demoralizing as not getting enough pressure from your shower head. What a terrible way to start your morning!

A general lack of pressure will often occur when a pump needs to be re-primed (filled with water again). Leaks in the pump’s mechanical seal can lower the pressure. Leaks in the piping or the pressure tank are just as common. You can try pressurizing the system and filling it with soapy water. The soap bubbles will make it easy to identify leaky areas.

Become familiar with your pump’s pressure switch. The pressure switch is the mechanism that regulates your pressure as measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). The pressure switch turns the pump on when pressure falls below a preset minimum threshold and turns the pump off when the pressure exceeds the maximum. Generally the preset range between the two thresholds will be 20 PSI. Common preset settings are 20-40 PSI, 30-50 PSI and 40-60 PSI.

Pressure switches should be checked and replaced periodically (Please remember to shut off all electricity before examining the pressure switch). The switch area should be clean and free of debris which can clog or disrupt the switch’s sensor.

Continuous Running
Pumps are not designed to run continuously. The pressure switch should regulate the pump’s activity. A pump that never stops running will put undue strain on your electricity bill, your piping system and the pump itself will degrade and burn out before its time.

A continuously running pump will also fill your pressure tank at a rate that the tank cannot handle. Once the tank is filled, the air pressure and water will travel elsewhere. “It could be at your shower, your kitchen sink or your toilet – but at some point that built up pressure will be released. Something’s gotta give,” says Pump Products General Manager Ed Drejman.

Some systems may come equipped with an alarm that will send out alerts if the pump is running excessively. Be sure to examine the pump yourself before costly complications occur.

Strange noises
Hearing unusual noises is often an obvious sign that something may be wrong with a piece of mechanical equipment. Grinding, rattling and shredding are generally not sounds that should be coming out of a well pump.

Foreign objects interfering with the pump can often cause excessive noise – a pebble getting stuck in the impeller, for example. Cavitation is a common cause of noise as well. Cavitation occurs when small bubbles of water pound the impeller, forming cavities. If the pump body itself is vibrating or rattling more than normal, there is a chance it might not have been installed correctly.

Water contaminants
Most people take immediate notice when their drinking water is not crystal clear. Odd coloration resulting from dirt, soil, rust or other contaminants can cause distress.

Submersible well pumps are installed beneath non-porous bedrock that shields the water source from soil and various contaminants. Older model jet pumps might be slightly more susceptible to such infiltration. For your health, be sure to have your entire well system evaluated in cases of bad water.

As with any piece of equipment, well pumps are subject to a wide variety of problems that could be caused by any number of variables. Preventive maintenance is the best kind: being aware of the general conditions of your equipment can help you catch little problems before they mushroom into big ones. The big ones often cost a lot of time, money and effort to fix.

It’s akin to preventive healthcare. Making healthy choices on an everyday basis – running or forgoing cheeseburgers – may be irritating and no fun to think about. But it is a small price to pay compared to undergoing a bypass surgery. Similarly, making a conscious effort to think about potential problems with your well pump system may not be enjoyable. But consistent maintenance could potentially save you the hefty cost of a replacement.