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Water Pump Repairs

Diagnose & Fix Lost Well Water Pressure
Water Pump & Tank Repair Cost Estimates

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about diagnosing & fixing water pump or well pump problems: no water, pump won't run, pump won't start, pump runs for no reason

How to diagnose & fix water pump problems.

We explain how to repair a pump and water tank or well system when there is no water being supplied, when the pump won't turn on or won't turn off, when there's bad water pressure as well as all other water pump and well troubles.

Page top illustration of a water pump, tank, controls & water well is used with permission of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection, education & report writing tool company [ carsondunlop.com ].

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Procedures for Diagnosing and Fixing Bad Water Pressure or Well Pump Problems

Copper tubing on pressure control switch (C) Daniel FriedmanHere we explain how to diagnose and repair no water pressure, low water pressure, water system noises, or just about any other well pump trouble diagnosis & repair, including: how to diagnose lost water pressure, how to fix pressure control switch problems or adjust the pressure control, & how to diagnose & fix problems with the well pump itself: well pumps that run too often, won't stop, won't start.

We describe tracing a water pressure problem to the pump pressure control switch or to a bad water pressure tank (and what to do about it).

And we list common water quantity (run out of water) or flow (pressure) problems and solutions.

See all of our water well pump and control diagnosis and repair articles at the RECOMMENDED ARTICLES at the bottom of this page.

Article Series Contents

In this article and in more depth in articles linked-to, the basics process of diagnosis and the costs of the repair are explained. Consumer advice on saving money on well repair costs includes a review of the parts and labor costs of a typical well pump and pressure tank replacement case.

Photograph of a water pump pressure control switch with the cover on

The well pump, in turn, could have been damaged or hastened to the end of its life by a bad water pressure tank which has caused well pump short-cycling. Short cycling of the pump motor can burn up the pump relay control.

Readers should also

see WATER PIPE CLOG DIAGNOSIS

and WATER PIPE CLOG REPAIR.

Readers of this document should also

see WATER PRESSURE TANKS - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.

Loss of Well Water Pressure or Poor Water Supply - Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Questions & Answers about pump, water tank, well piping, & well repairs

The following is an actual case of a correspondent who lost water pressure and called a well and plumbing contractor who made several repairs. At the end of the repair water pressure and supply were restored but the owner had a bit of "sticker shock" when he saw the bill.

He wrote to ask our opinion. Our reply, which follows the owner's note below, reviews the diagnosis, repair, and repair costs for this well pump and water tank replacement project.

We have a private well with the same components shown on your diagram (well pump, pressure tank, pressure switch etc..)

We recently experienced loss of water pressure and actually a lack of any water flow at all from our faucets in our house. As we waited 30 min to 1 hr, the water would return and run normal for several hours, only to return to no water again. This went on for about 24 hours.

We contacted the well contractor shown on our well cap. He quickly determine the bladder in the pressure tank was ruptured by just shaking the water tank.

After installing a new $600 dollar tank, the well contractor waited for the water pump to come on. It didn't. Then the contractor sold us a new well pump.

The total bill: $2000 and some change.

1. Is this a fair price for repair of a water pressure tank or pump or both? Did the contractor make the right repair? Was we overcharged?

2. Can we check his prognosis by inspecting the replaced tank and pump?

-- This question is answered in detail

at WELL PUMP / TANK REPAIR ADEQUACY

Diagnostic Questions & Answers

About Well Water Pump and Tank Pressure, Flow, or Water Supply Equipment & Piping Repair or Replacement

Categories of Well Water Pressure & Equipment Questions & Answers

We have sorted reader questions and their answers about how to diagnose problems with private water supply systems into the following rough categories:

Reader Question: how to use a volt meter or VOM or DMM to test the well pump

How do I test my pump still in the well with a volt meter. What do I put meter on and what wires Quin

Reply:

Quin

A clamp-on ammeter, in the hands of someone who knows how to use it safely - as there are electrocution, shock, death hazards when working with electricity - can measure the current drawn by a submersible pump when it's running.

  1. Abnormally high current drawn by the water pump (one needs to know the pump brand and model and its data for making comparisons) can tell us that the pump motor is binding or that the foot valve strainer is clogged;
  2. Abnormally low current draw by the well pump can mean a broken impeller or a pump running in air;
  3. Shorted or open wires to the pump are found at its supply connections in the pump control or relay and should have already blown a fuse; but it may also be possible to detect a winding short in the pump motor itself.

See ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE - inspectapedia.com/electric/Electric_Motor_Diagnosis.php

That's as far as I can safely go in giving advice. First we don't have any information whatsoever about what you have installed, controls, switches, fuses, type of pump, location, etc, and second, I worry that if you are not familiar with using a volt meter you could be injured.

It's worth noting that well pump control companies sell pump pressure controls that include diagnostic circuitry.

Typically these controls monitor the current draw of the pump and can often determine that a submersible well pump is running dry (well is running out of water) or has failing bearings (running hot) or has other defects.

Those same principles are what an expert well service company or electrician will use to interpret the voltage draw of your pump.

Well Pump Pressure Control Switch Problem Diagnosis Questions

A Guide to Building Water Pressure by Adjusting or Repairing the Water Pump Pressure Control Switch or the Water Pressure Tank

Reader Question: how do I set the well pump pressure control switch on and off or cut-in/cut-out pressures?

I am not sure how to adjust the well pump pressure control switch - what are those two adjustment nuts and which way do I turn them to change the water pressure settings?

Reply:

How to Adjust Water Pump Pressure: The detailed, step by step procedure for inspecting and adjusting the water pressure control switch is discussed in detail

at WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENTS.

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2024-01-06 by Lafrane - Well has a leak and breaker won't shut off, now I've got weak water pressure

I'm a disabled vet (so I'm broke) My well has a leak. The breaker will not shut off, I have low water pressure and I have no visible water showing above ground.

The points are new. So I am switching the breaker in the breaker box on and off to try not to burn anything up until I can find some information on where to start looking for the problem. no filtration system.

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher

@Lafrane,

Check through the diagnostic steps at

WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

and let me know what you find.

We need to first be sure that the problem really is a water leak in the well piping and not one of the other things that those diagnostics will check.


Noisy Gould Irrigatore GT15 pump

I have a Gould Irrigatore GT15 & it's making a lot of noise. To the point my neighbors are complaining. My question is.

I know the bottom screw is to drain it, but what about the top one? Can I pump grease in there? I tried where it spins, but it just throws it off. - On 2023-07-29 by Stephen Olsson

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher

@Stephen Olsson,

I would have to see a photo to be sure we're talking about the same part, but I suspect you're as king about a pump priming opening (for water) not a lubrication point.

You risk contaminating your water.

Check your pump manual.

Sounds like time for a new pump.


Well pump runs continuously after our pipes froze

Pump runs all the time after freezing and busted pipes in the house. No pressure at all, no air noises in the house.

Water pump was leaking , before it stopped. Not lost it’s prime. Not leaking anything at all now. Also does nothing, but make noise! 4 year old pump tops - On 2023-01-04 by Corey Cole

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher

@Corey Cole,

I suspect that either there is still a frozen water line into the pump
or
the pump ran so long without water that its impeller or bearings were damaged. (From your description this is the most-likely cause.)

Look for a leak anywhere in the well piping both between house and well and inside the house.

If there are no leaking water pipes in the home and no open faucets and no running toilets then see

WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING


Water valve is turned off but well pump keeps turning on and off.

the water is turned off yet my pump keeps turning on and runs for maybe 10 or 20 seconds turns off, then a second later turns on again I have to turn it off at the wall also when I look at the pressure gauge it is hardly moving - On 2021-09-04 by jon -

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator

@jon,

Take a look at the diagnostics at

WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING

And make sure there's no valve closed between the pump and the pressure tank.

Also look for a leak in the piping system between the pump and the well and a leaky check valve between pump and well. Either of those could cause the symptom you describe.

 

Our well has a history of running out of water, now pump isn't delivering any water at all

OK my well one day just it would run out of pressure because I got a small tank so would run out of water.

I always knew did not leave it running for very long outside but my son he moved up here and he did that several times so I have to shut off the water and at the tank fill up

And but that’s happened several times will that cause my pump to burn up arm because suddenly it was doing real fine and I just cut off and also that same day when I turned on the water it seem like it took a long time to come up like it.

Maybe there wasn’t enough pressure to pull it up then all of a sudden it just cut off I can’t afford to call somebody up here. Can you help me with that? - On 2022-11-18 by Vaniece Stiles H

Reply by InspectApedia (Editor)

@Vaniece Stiles,

Watch out: Yes, you're right that running a pump dry can burn up the pump motor or damage the pump impeller or its bearings.

However if your pump is still working and delivering the same water pressure, your pump is probably okay.

If you find that leaving water turned off for a Time allows your system to then develop normal pressure that's a sign that you're well flow rate is poor, that is you are drawing more water out than the will can provide.

Followup by jon - I don't know what kind of well pump we have - but I don't see a water pressure tank

water pump

@inspectapedia.com.moderator, thank you for your reply I am not sure if this is a pressure tank.

We have a large rainwater tank that goes to our pump which is outside similar to a swimming pool pump that pumps the water inside.

This is a picture of our pump It doesn't seem to have the air pressure tank so not sure what you mean by valves

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator - pressure sensitive well pump water system

@jon,

That photo of your water pump and its controls helps a lot;

Your type of pump does not use a pressure tank; it has its own internal regulator;

We discuss that pump at

WATER PUMP PRESSURE SENSITIVE

If that pump seems to turn on for no reason, usually that tells us that there is a leak somewhere in the water system.

If you've turned off water into the building and the pump still cycles on and off, then the problem could be a stuck, dirty, or defective check valve in the pump itself.

You'll see that problem described in the owners manual for your pump.


We've lost water pressure and our pump switch is making an intermittent noise

No water/pressure. Have a well pump about 15 years old. Box next to water pressure switch makes a noise on and off. - On 2021-08-24 by Tim -

Reply by inspectapedia.com.moderator - here are the diagnostic and pump repair steps to follow:

@Tim,

First, try turning off power to the pump for half an hour to an hour then switching it back on; that might diagnose a well that had run out of water;

Next, If the water pressure switch is making noises like clicking or humming

see WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES.

where we describe noises and clicks at the pressure switch and what they mean.

There are some good diagnostic steps at

WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES


If the breaker to my well pump is OFF but the voltage meter says there's still voltage is my pump still getting electricity?

If the breaker is off to the submersible well and pressure switch but its still reading on the voltage meter does that mean its still getting power to it - On 2021-03-01 by Jennifer

Reply by (mod) -

@Jennifer,

Watch out: that sounds dangerous. Someone could be shocked or killed. You sure that the correct Breakers are switched off.

When the well pump circuit is powered off at the electrical panel you should see NO voltage at the pressure control switch.

So either you're flipping off the wrong breaker OR the pump is not wired correctly and there's another circuit bringing it power.


Reader Question: please explain the cause of and cure for pressure switch clogging

We had an issue with water pressure ( water would stop flowing for 20 sec at a time) in a house we are renting.

The owner called the local well drilling co. They replaced the pressure switch which was clogged with iron.

Is this a wear and tear issue or a water quality issue or something else. - Sue460@ptd.net 9/7/2012

Reply:

Sue, thanks for the important question - it gives us a chance to clarify the problem with debris clogging at well pump pressure control switches and pressure gauges.

Debris in the water supply or sometimes rust in water piping can clog the small pressure sensor port on the bottom of a pressure control switch, causing it to fail to operate properly - that is, the debris prevents accurate sensing of actual water pressure so the switch may fail to turn a pump on or off as it should.

In the "turn-off" case the result could be very dangerous as over pressurizing the water system could burst a pipe or even a pressure tank, injuring a bystander and flooding a building.

Similarly, the same problem can cause a water pressure gauge to fail to properly register water pressure accurately.

Often we can detect this by tapping the gauge and seeing its pressure reading suddenly change, after observing that the gauge reads an abnormally low pressure or when the gauge pressure reading simply doesn't change.

While these problems can be repaired by replacing the clogged pressure control switch or pressure gauge, the root problem is debris or rust in the system - a problem that can be addressed by installing water filtration ahead of these components.

So in response to your question, the underlying problem is inadequate water filtration, not a wear and tear issue - in my OPINION

 

Reader Question: water flow stops for 5 seconds at the start of the pump "on" cycle

When pressure in the tank drops to a set point, well kicks on and supply to the house is via well - or so that is my understanding.

In the past, when this occurred you would notice a very brief fluctuation in the flow of water at any given outlet,

I.e. for about a second you could tell something had changed but water was always flowing. Over time this has changed gradually, to the point that now water stops flowing for a good 5 seconds, but then continues just fine.

It's not a huge deallocator clearly something needs maintenance or repair. would prefer to do this now. - David Hicks 5/20/12

Reply:

David, there may be a different problem in the case you describe, but I'd start by replacing the pressure control switch.

If the pressure sensor port on the switch is debris or rust clogged, an early symptom is a delay in the switch's ability to respond to a drop in water pressure.

If the water tank is not waterlogged then try replacing the pressure switch and any pipe or tubing supplying water to its bottom sensor port.

 

Reader Question: Will excessive water use change the pump's operating pressure?

Just a question to educate myself with the operation of a residential well pump/tank system:

My tank is about 7 years old, was set to cut in at 40 psi and cut out at 60 psi, it cuts in at 2 psi below 40, so I'm OK there, but I noticed that it's cutting out at around 55-57 psi and then after a minute or so, settles at around 52 psi.

I had thought originally that it was cutting out at 60 psi after it was installed.

Now, I was also wondering if excessive water usage for a period of time (ex: watering plants, or the grass) would contribute to what I'm seeing, or if I have an other issue to look at

. The pump is about 10 years old, and we do have hard water (dissolved rust, manganese) with a whole house filter installed after the well tank. Thanks for any help with this. - Tony 7/10/12

Reply: Typical water pump cut-in / cut-out are 20/40 or 30/50 psi

Typical cut-in and cut-out are 20/40 or 30/50 psi for a pump pressure control switch.

Watch out: Tony if you set the pressure too high the risk is that the pump never turns off and burns up the pump motor, or at high pressures, say over 70 psi, faucets are likely to leak.

Hard water clogs pipes and can clog valves or other controls, but I'm not sure how it would change the pump on/off pressure. If you're in doubt about the switch itself I'd just replace it - it's not a costly part.


Water supply stops for 15 seconds then starts again

My well pump is on top of the well when somebody is taking a shower in my house the water will quit flowing for about 15 seconds or so then it will come back on it does this about every 4 or 5 minutes - On 2019-11-27 by Wayne

Reply by (mod) - well may be running out of water

Sounds as if the well may be running out of water OR the pressure control switch it sticking. Try replacing the pressure switch.

How do I check the water pump to make sure everything is working properly

My well has sat unused for 2 years an how do I check and make sure everything is working properly it's about 30 years old? - On 2019-04-16 by Sandra Sayres

Reply by (mod) -

Sandra

In addition to observing that the pump and well will deliver water when you open a faucet, that pressure is not surging, and that well pump cuts off within a minute or three after turning off the plumbing fixture, you'll want to sanitize the well and perhaps the water tank - you can find those procedures in the ARTICLE INDEX


I need an electric test meter that can test a motor capacitor

I need to get a meter with a capacitor tester on it the ohms method gave me a false positive as I purchased a new controller and pumps cycles like new.

No water at tap here is what I Have done so far replaced pressure switch and gauge, test run capacitor and relay on controller (OK), checked ohms on motor (OK) checked voltage.

Bladder tank shows 22.4 lbs when no water turn pressure switch arm to run hear pump running amps read 6amps on red and black wire and 1.7 on yellow, gauge goes to 24 lbs the switch cut out and amps drop to zero.

I'm thinking well is either low (be a 1st in 15yrs) or line coming to house is blocked but not sure so here I am in case I've missed something. Thanks in advance to all who reply. - On 2019-03-15 by Rick_ca

Reply by (mod) - need to get a meter with a capacitor tester on it

Rick you can read details by searching InspectApedia.com using the on page search box to find our articles titled:

CAPACITOR TEST

and for

DMM & VOM SAFETY & PROCEDURES



I fixed my well pipe but now no water will go into the pressure tank

I fixed pipe that goes to tank then started having water pressure problems now thought I got it strait but I cant get water to go in to the tank it goes straight to softener system please tell me what this is about and how to fix - On 2019-02-16 by Clifford

Reply by (mod) - signs of a collapsed pressure tank bladder

Clif

If your pressure tank has an internal bladder that may have collapsed and stuck blocking the opening to the tank.

To try to un-stick a bladder you can give a BRIEF higher pressure shot to the tank - as long as you DO NOT exceed the maximum pressure rating of the tank

Watch out: exceeding rated pressure at your water tank can blow up the tank and kill you.


My pump runs for hours and when it stops it screeches

My pump runs for and hour but after it just stops pumping water out and motor will make uncommon high sound - On 2019-01-22 by Phillip

Reply by (mod) - Look out for a failing pump motor bearing

From your brief description I can but guess that there may be a failing pump motor bearing that is exacerbated from the long pump on cycle


After repairing a well water line I still don't have water

I had a pipe break on the feed line. I repaired that but still have no water have fifteen PDS.

In pressure tank but not showing any by pressure switch switch has no reset lever need help - On 2015-07-10 by Tim

Reply by (mod) - Re-prime the pump

Check and re prime the pump

Followup by Tim

How do you re-prime a well pump?

Reply by mod

See


2 Line Jet Pump won't pump over 30 psi unless I hold the relay closed

I have a jet pump with 2 line coming from the well. It will not build more the 30psi.

And now if the pressure drops below 20psi it won't stay running to build pressure unless I hold the switch in the override position.

I replaced the pressure switch and pressure valve so I am at a total lost as to what to do now. - On 2015-06-14 by tim

Reply by (mod) -

Tim,

You are describing what sounds to me like a well that is running low on water or a pump is pumping rate exceeds the flow rate of the well.

Another possibility is a damaged pump impeller or low pump voltage or leak and well piping.

Watch out: Turn off the pump and call for repair. Do not force the pump to continue to run or you may damage it or worse, you could cause an electrical fire or shock someone.


Water not flowing from rooftop water tank down into the house

My water pump is not pumping water to the tank.

Water will flow in the pipes but water is not falling to the tank which is on the roof of a house. Please help me - On 2015-06-13 by Prajwal

Reply by (mod) -

Prajwal,

if water flows through the building piping system when the pump is running but water does not enter the water but then I suspect that a valve between pump and tank is closed or there is a similar blockage.

If water runs in the If water when the pump is not running I imagine that is being delivered by an outlet from your water tank.

 


Low water pressure problems, questions & answers

For article access speed we've moved this discussion to a new article

at LOW WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSTIC FAQs

No Water Pressure: lost all water pressure, problems, solutions

We moved these FAQs

to NO WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSTIC FAQs - please go there to diagnose complete loss of building water supply.

Also take a look

at WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE for a list of no-water diagnostics

Problems with well pumps - Q&A , well pumps that run too often (short cycling), well pumps that won't stop running, noisy well pump, well pumps won't start

We've moved this discussion to

Well pump diagnostic FAQs at WATER PUMP DIAGNOSTIC FAQs to help sort out the direction of well pump problem investigation and repair

Well Piping Problems, Trouble With Water Pressure After Replacing Well Piping, etc.

Please see WELL PIPING REPAIRS - we moved this discussion to speed up page loading.

Well Tank Problems, Trouble With Water Pressure Following Water Pressure Tank Replacement or Relocation, etc.

For web page speed improvements we moved this section to a separate article

Please see WATER TANK DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for a discussion of problems with the water pressure tank or well water tank that might actually explain problems blamed on the well pump.

 

Thank you to our readers for their generous comments

On 2021-01-03 by Rido

The article was very good, This article is also very useful for repairing a home water pump:

...

Continue reading at WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE for table listing causes & cures for well pump or water pressure problems, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see WATER PUMP REPAIR FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to WATER SUPPLY, PUMPS TANKS WELLS

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