Private well water problem diagnostic questions & answers.

These FAQs can help diagnose and cure weak water pressure or no water pressure from a private well and pump system.

This article series explains how to diagnose poor well water pressure or total loss of water pressure from all sorts of causes.

Well Water or Pump Water Pressure or Flow Diagnostic FAQs

These questions & answers on troubleshooting water pressure and flow problems were posted originally at WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS - topic home.

Be sure to review the diagnostic and repair help given at that page.

More-recent FAQs on private well water diagnosis and repair are at WELL WATER PRESSSURE DIAGNOSIS FAQs-2

On 2017-06-26 by Sandra

I have a well and water stop flowing from the faucet. It came back in then it stop again

On 2017-06-01 by Anonymous

Thank you for the follow-up Michael, your results will certainly be helpful to other readers and I'll be sure that we keep your information in the data we present.

On 2017-06-01 by Michael Plugged line to the gauge and pressure switch

Figured it out. Plugged line to the gauge and pressure switch.

...

We are on a well with a 40/60 pressure switch and a 44 gallon pressure tank that was at 38psi. Just recently we've started seeing our pressure steady from 60psi down to about 48psi then it falls off rapidly.

Water actually stops flowing for up to 20-30 seconds at around 42-44psi and then the pump kicks in at 40 psi.

I adjusted the cut in pressure to 42 psi and adjusted the pressure tank to 40psi with no discernible change. This happens both inside the house which has 2 pre filters and a whole house Aquasana system as well as at our hydrants being fed directly from the pit so dirty filters are unlikely. We changed them any way with no change in the house.

Could there be an issue with a clogged pipe feeding the pressure guage and pressure switch? What other cause could there be? Pressure tanks maintains its precharge, the pressure switch cuts in and out at the pressures indicated by the guage, and the pump kicks in as expected with great flow.

On 2017-05-06 by (mod) - if submersible pump stopped working completely is there any chance we would still have water pressure

Not with a typical residential submersible pump and well system, at least not after the pressurised water in the pressure tank itself has been consumed.

Just how much of that water you'll get depends on the size of the pressure tank; typically that's 5-20 gallons but with very large water storage tanks used at some properties it could be hundreds of gallons.

On 2017-05-06 by DavidG

So if submersible pump stopped working completely is there any chance we would still have water pressure inside the house

On 2017-05-06 by (mod) -

I wanted to add that when a well pump is a submersible unit, you won't hear the pump motor running.

David,

I'm not sure what you mean by recovery pump know how that pump is being used. It would help me if you could explain that.

There are systems in which a building might continue to have water pressure, such as buildings that use a rooftop water tank or a very large water pressure - storage tank. Of course an Artesian well will also continue to deliver some water pressure.

On 2017-05-06 by DavidG

Is it possible for the house to still have water if the submersible well pump is not working . I never hear the pump turn on. The recovery pump turns on but not the well pump

On 2017-04-25 by (mod) - water doesnt come out strong and the water shut off

David

Your well could be running out of water. Check also for clogged faucet strainers or shower heads.

On 2017-04-25 by David smith

I fix everything on my well new pump new switch. New pressurer guage and new foot value and the water doesnt come out strong and the water shut off please tell me what could be wrong

On 2017-04-21 by (mod) - no water, need to prime the pump

Dan:

Check that the pump has been properly primed.

On 2017-04-21 by dan

I just changed 1 and 1/2 hp pump and I attached it to same pipe coming out of the ground just 2 yards from new pump turn the power on and pump starts running so quietly compare to old one , but no water coming out -so disappointed- why? Anyone can advice?

On 2017-04-19 by (mod) - signs of a stuck tank bladder

Segun

Typically a bladder stuck to itself blocking tank inlet. Use the box above to search InspectApedia for WATER TANK BLADDER REPAIR or see WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR

On 2017-04-18 by Segun

my pumping machine pump water, but the water did not enter the thank, please what could be the cause

On 2017-04-15 by (mod) - Surging water pressure

Surging water pressure is usually traced to a well pump short-cycling problem that is usually traced to a waterlogged pressure tank.

See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES

On 2017-04-15 by elizabeth

We have plenty of water and plenty of pressure but there is surges in the water as we use it --flush the toilet is sounds like its going from high to low gear ---below ground well pump --- had this problem after changing relay switch

On 2017-04-03 by (mod) -

Anon:

Your well may be exhausted, or your pump may have lost prime, perhaps due to a bad foot valve; it's also common that when a pump has been run dry too long it suffers internal damage and can't develop pressure. Those are some things to check.

• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 1: PUMP WON'T RUN, WON'T STOP, or CYCLES
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 2: PUMP RUNS, WEAK or NO WATER PRESSURE
• WATER PRESSURE TABLE 3: PUMP RUNS, NO WATER or INSUFFICIENT WATER

On 2017-04-03 by Anonymous

bladder replaced 4 months ago had heavy usage the day before problem

well motor working no water being pumped not submersible

On 2017-03-22 14:40:41.848284 by (mod) - water pressure problems after a thunderstorm damaged components

Amy

This is a submersible pump, right?

It sounds as if the pump is delivering limited pressure; possibly the pump itself is damaged, or its wiring; for example some 240V submersible pumps will pump weakly on 120V.

But start by correcting your pressure tank air pre-charge. If your pressure control is a 30/50 switch, then the air precharge pressure in the tank (when water has run until no more comes out while the pump is switches OFF) should be 2 psi below the cut-in pressure. That means your air pre-charge needs to be 28 psi.

When you set the tank pre-charge pressure ABOVE the pump CUT-IN (38 is above 30) then the switch thinks there's plenty of water and it'll never turn on the pump.

Keep me posted so I'll know if my smarty-pants answer works for you.

On 2017-03-22 by Amy

My well electric and pipe an tank were blown over in a storm. I have fixed everything all new pump switch and gauge. Tank is charged to 38. The gauge is a 30-50. When power turned on gauge raises to 30. Turn on faucet fast and water stops and gauge drops to zero. What should i do?

On 2017-02-17 by Brandon

My well pump is working. But for some reason the pressure switch doesn't kick it off. But we have to flip the switch to turn it off. Well for some reason we are only getting some water pressure in both bathroom faucets but not the kitchen or the showers. We put a brand new suburgeable pump in our well. What could it be?

On 2017-02-13 by (mod) - pump runs, no water delivered

If the pump runs but no water is delivered I suspect any of several causes such as a damaged pump, leaks in piping, no water in the well, even a closed valve. TURN OFF THE PUMP in hope we can avoid ruining it.

Then search InspectApedia for WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING to read diagnosis and repair details.

On 2017-02-13 by Alton Stewart

I have a submersible pump in my 7 year old drilled well, we lost water and found that the contacts were not working on the switch to make pump come on.

Replaced it and that's working now, can hear the pump running in the well and I have 30lbs of pressure in tank. Gage reads 0 on gauge on water line. Still no water??? Any ideas ?

On 2017-01-24 23:29:26.530364 by bob

i replaced to water pump in well still no water you help

could it be the holding tank under the house

On 2017-01-18 by (mod) - Hear noises when pump is not running.The pressure has dropped and I am getting only a small amount of water

Marylin

As we don't know what sort of well and well pump you have installed I can but speculate:

If the well runs out of water you might see air discharge at faucets, or worse, if the pump runs dry it can be damaged so that later it won't pump water or won't pump to the same pressure level as before.

Complicating the analysis, some wells contain a tailpiece in the well a the well bottom piping - a device intended to prevent a 2-line jet pump from running dry if there's no water in the well. If a tailpiece is installed the pump will run but it's recycling the same water down the smaller well pipe and up the large one back to the jet pump - and you will see no water or much less water pressure in the home.

On 2017-01-18 by Marilyn

My pump has started to run for a short time then cut off then run again. Have less water pressure than before. Suspect there is air in the line. Hear noises when pump is not running.The pressure has dropped and I am getting only a small amount of water than I had before.

On 2017-01-18 by (mod) - pump runs on and off in short bursts,

Marylin

As we don't know what sort of well and well pump you have installed I can but speculate:

If the well runs out of water you might see air discharge at faucets, or worse, if the pump runs dry it can be damaged so that later it won't pump water or won't pump to the same pressure level as before.

What you describe sounds like a pump system with a switch or other control intended from allowing the pump to run "dry" if it's not getting water - as that damages the pump.

Complicating the analysis, some wells contain a tailpiece in the well a the well bottom piping - a device intended to prevent a 2-line jet pump from running dry if there's no water in the well. If a tailpiece is installed the pump will run but it's recycling the same water down the smaller well pipe and up the large one back to the jet pump - and you will see no water or much less water pressure in the home.

On 2017-01-18 by Marilyn :

pump runs on and off in short bursts, weak water pressure My pump has started to run for a short time then cut off then run again. Have less water pressure than before. Suspect there is air in the line. Hear noises when pump is not running.The pressure has dropped and I am getting only a small amount of water than I had before.

On 2017-01-13 by (mod) - My system water pressure decreases at the faucet, but the pressure switch doesn't restart the submersible pump.

Harvey

Once water pressure falls below the cut-in pressure on the control switch if the switch does not turn on the pump you should replace the switch - it's probably clogged.

WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH

On 2017-01-12 by Harvey Bell

- switch is not re-starting the pump My system water pressure decreases at the faucet, but the pressure switch doesn't restart the submersible pump.

Is this possibly the pressure switch or the bladder tank? The bladder tank shows 40# and the pressure gauge shows 40#, but the pump doesn't start even though the water pressure at the faucet is noticeably diminished.

On 2017-01-07 by (mod) - pump runs but we don't get water

Bradley

A number of reasons for loss of water pressure are at WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR https://InspectAPedia.com/water/Poor_Water_Pressure_Diagnosis.php

they include things like:

- loss of pump prime
- no water in well
- well piping leak

On 2017-01-07 by bradley akins

- pump runs but we don't get water why would the well pump be running but no water pressure or water

On 2017-01-06 by (mod) - pump stops in cold weather

Aleesha:

Perhaps moisture in the pump switch or loss of water in the well or a line that's frozen that you've missed. I'm flying blind with so little info. Have you had anyone on-site to take a look at the system?

Wamda:
I'd look for a clogged valve or elbow or pipe section at a point after the hot and cold water pipes branch apart but ahead of all of the remaining plumbing fixtures and connections.

On 2017-01-06 by Aleesha kiehl

- pump stops in cold weather Why would pump stop working everytime it gets really cold? Pipes aren't frozen.

On 2016-12-16 by Wamda - weak cold water

I have no or minimal cold water in all my faucets. I have well water.

I've checked to see if i have plenty of water and i do , i've cleaned all the faucet screens and i have water to the shut off valves under the sinks but it won't come through the faucets. I have a trickle of cold in the bathtub but the hot seems to have pressure in all the faucets. I've been dealing with this sense last week and have no idea what is going on. Help guys. What is wrong here?

On 2016-12-06 by Sam - water pressure got worse after neighbours drilled a well

When we first moved into our house, the water pressure was fine.

About two years ago, the neighbors across the street drilled another well. Since then (coincidence?) our water pressure has dropped.

Now we cannot shower and flush a toilet or run the washing machine or have family members shower at the same time. we are not certain who to call. We recently installed a new hot water heater and the plumber told us they don't 'do wells and pumps'. Any thoughts or guidance is greatly appreciated.

On 2016-12-01 by (mod) Orange brown water:

take a test sample to your local water test lab so that we know what you're dealing with and thus what treatment or steps are needed to deal with the water's chemistry. It might be just sediment - in which case the reduced pressure you describe could simply be a clogged filter - if so you may need a higher capacity water filter installed so as to avoid having to keep changing it out rapidly.

Iron deposits can clog pipes and may be harder to remove from the piping system, that's why I suggested a water test. Of course you also want to know that the color is not due to some other unhealthy or dangerous contaminant.

On 2016-12-01 1 1 by Jtam - orange brown well water

We have a similar problem to Matthes. We installed a submersible well pump (over 200ft) and a pressure tank as well all new.

Everything seemed to be good except that the water was orange/brown. We bought a whole house water filter system and installed it. After installing it the water cleaned up, but now we have low pressure.

No water circulates into the pipes or fixtures. Could it be that there is a build up somewhere that is causing this? Or any other ideas that can help with finding out what it could be?

On 2016-11-26 by (mod) - water only runs at one faucet at a time

Eugene I think you are describing a very poor water flow rate.

The problem could be clogged piping, low water in the well, a piping leak, or a damaged pump or even low voltage to the pump.

I'd start by checking the list of common causes in the article above - before replacing the pump let's get the right diagnosis.

On 2016-11-25 by eugene

- water only runs at one faucet at a time I have well water in my new home. the water only runs to one faucet at a time. so when I take a shower no other water is being distributed to toilets or faucets. do I need a new pump or something?

On 2016-10-24 by Anonymous

Low water in the world or a cracked casing or perhaps some other problem of which we have not thot could be sending sand and dirt through the water pipes back to your equipment where a valve or filter has been clogged

On 2016-10-24 by Matthes - sudden loss of water pressure

We had a sudden loss of water pressure to our water faucets and toilets in house.

We have a 200 ft well with pump in the well. The water before losing pressure all of a sudden had a lot of sand. The pump seems to still be working. The water tan is still pressurized and I opened the well tank drain and waTER Still Brown Was shooTING Out But It's Not CIRCULATING Into ouR Pipes To The fixtures.

On 2016-10-13 by Russ

Newer pump but switch cycles off and on, upholds pressure when pump is not running.

On 2016-10-12 by R Bennett

Our shallow well pump and tank combo is surging runs awhile but then shutrs off four few minutes the water is back on. Pressure is also low

On 2016-10-02 by Anonymous

Sounds as of the pump isn't turning on

On 2016-10-02 by Carlos

I have no pressure in my faucets after a few seconds. When i charge my tank with air it rises to 60 psi then when i stop it drops back to 35 40 psi.

On 2016-09-09 by (mod) - from time to time I would lose the water pressure for a few seconds.

Sounds like a pressure switch sticking, clogged, failing. See WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH

On 2016-09-09 by jim

I recently had a new bladder tank installed in my well pit and upgraded wiring and other related items. later on I noticed from time to time I would lose the water pressure for a few seconds.

Usually after flushing the toilet or while taking a shower. Recently, I noticed a loss of pressure at the hose right at the well pit itself. Happens about 5 or 6 times a week at random times. Thoughts?

On 2016-09-06 by Kenny

I've changed the check valve and the pressure switch the bladder iso holding but I have almost if not all total loss of pressure when simple flushing the toilet

On 2016-08-17 by (mod) - Have no water upstairs, only air sounds

Sounds to me as if your pump is not operating or the well has lost water. Searching InspectApedia for NO WATER PRESSURE will give you this step by step diagnostic article

https://InspectAPedia.com/water/No_Water_Pressure.php

On 2016-08-16 by pbhill1978 - air sounds in water piping

System: Submerisible well pump PROBLEM: Have no water upstairs, only air sounds when you turn on and low water pressure down stairs. Replaced pressure switch box on well.

Pipes are all in the walls but no signs of wetness in the house. Wet area under house under washing machine but washing machine installer didn't tighten the hoses tight and they leaked. Seem like me are about to not have any water. How can we find out for sure if there is any leaks?

On 2016-08-03 by Anonymous - pressure will not go above 20 when waters is off and keeps running

I would check for

- a damaged pump impeller

- low voltage

- well piping leak

Search InspectApedia for WELL PUMP WON'T STOP RUNNING to read diagnosis and repair details or

see WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

On 2016-08-02 by Larry

Have a deep well it will build up pressure to 20 and stay even when water is on and will not go above 20 when waters is off and keeps running

On 2016-07-16 by (mod) - we lose water pressure to a trickle

Check for low water in the well, a well piping leak, low voltage to the pump, a damaged pump impeller, a partly blocked water line or partly-closed valve;

at the More Reading links above see WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE for a nice concise troubleshooting guide.

On 2016-07-16 00:28:45.293239 by David

Water pressure is fine when we use one thing at a time if if shower is running and you flush the toilet we lose water pressure to a trickle this problem has just started a couple of days ago any ideas thanks

On 2016-07-13 by (mod) - more than 1 fixture turned on pressure drops to almost nothing

Plumber

Typically we separate static pressure - what pressure do we read when no water is being run - from flow rate. People typically use "pressure" for flow rate but that's a bit confusing.

When your pump is able to pump up to 40 or 50 psi, that's adequate pressure.
But if the flow rate drops to poor when more faucets are opened, that suggests that pipes are clogged, under-sized, blocked by solder blobs, or a valve is partly closed.

In the More Reading links see WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE

On 2016-07-12 by plumberd71@gmail.com

If more than 1 fixture turned on pressure drops to almost nothing. Great pressure using 1 fixture. New pump and tank. Plastic water lines sized correctly. Treatment system bypassed. Stenner pump for sulphur. Any ideas?

On 2016-07-01 by (mod) -

OF course, MJ because if your pump and water use flow rate exceed the well's recovery rate, you'll run out of water again.

Sounds as if you need to check with a local well driller, inspect the well and piping to be sure that's intact, get the well specifications, depth, static head, recovery rate or flow rate, and compare that with your experience.

On 2016-06-30 by Anonymous

MJ new pump plus water pressure tank still same problem... do know of any plumber in brockton ma

On 2016-06-30 by (mod) - The pressure still would not raise above 25lbs

Sounds as if the well was exhausted; it's also possible that the sediment/debris has clogged faucets or other items in the water piping pathway.

On 2016-06-30 13:12:36.902345 by MJ

Using shallow well for yard watering.. turn well on water strong lots if pressure and dirty water. ..after 5 to 6min water clear but water comes out very little and no pressure...if i close faucet it builds up thw drops again cant not with sprinkler...please help

On 2016-06-30 01:51:07.333292 by Ricki

Was using sprinkler in yard for less then 15 minutes when we lost water. Immediately turned off pump. Turned in a short time later and the pump pumped water from the well but would not gain proper pressure. Since we have changed the pressure switch and gauge.

The pressure still would not raise above 25lbs. Pressure tank has pressure. We took the pump to be checked by a repair shop who cleaned it, serviced it, replaced a seal, and tested it.

When we hooked it back up it went to 20lbs then dropped all pressure. Pressure tank remains the same pressure and pump does not lose it's prime.

On 2016-06-26 1 by (mod) - A fuse blew on my well and all water ran out of my house.

Terry, chances are your system lost prime, perhaps because of a leaky foot valve. Search InspectApedia for WATER PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE

On 2016-06-26 by Terry

A fuse blew on my well and all water ran out of my house. I change the fuse and now I'm still have no water coming out

On 2016-06-03 by (mod) - Lose water pressure after I wash clothes

Typically, Art, that's happening because the water demand is exceeding the well flow rate.

On 2016-06-03 by Art

Lose water pressure after I wash clothes

On 2016-05-30 by (mod) - weak water pressure, suspecdt the pump, gas smell

Percy,

Using the search box above or at page top, or see DIAGNOSTIC TABLE for WATER PUMPS or search for these articles: WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE or see WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENT

Watch out: Also search InspectApedia.com for METHANE GAS ODORS to read some important safety warnings. Methane gas can be from a dry sink trap, slow drain, bad plumbing vent and explosive sewer gas leaks back into the building. Methane is occasionally also found in the water supply in some areas.

On 2016-05-28 by Percy

My home runs on a private well. The cold water has really low pressure in the showers, kitchen sink and both bathroom sinks hardly have any hot or cold pressure what is the problem?

My kitvhen sink also has a gas smell that comes up through the drain certain times of the day?

...

...

Continue reading at WELL WATER PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS or select a topic from closely-related articles below, or see our complete INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES below.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• WELL WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENT - steps to improve water pressure & flow from a private well water supply
• WATER PRESSURE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TABLE

Suggested citation for this web page

WELL WATER PRESSSURE DIAGNOSIS FAQs 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

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

---

ADVERTISEMENT

---