Water Pump Pressure Switch Noise FAQs

Q&A on diagnosing Humming, Clicking at the pump pressure control

Water Pump Control Switch Clicking Noise Q&A

What Clicking Noises are Normal at the Well Pump Control?

Just replaced well water pump ...was doing fine for a couple of days then I heard clicking for some time now no water what could it be On 2017-08-02 by Deb

Explanation by (mod) - It's normal to hear a click when a relay opens or closes.

It's normal to hear a click when a relay opens or closes.

If your water pump is submerged in the well (so you can't hear the pump motor) you may just hear the relay clicks

If the relay clicks repeatedly there are several possible causes such as

- burned points

- valve closed between pump and tank or

- dirty water filter downstream from pump

- waterlogged pressure tank

Why does the water pump switch click when we're not running water?

Should the water pressure control switch click when water is not in use? On 2016-08-23 by debi

New switch but clicks all time even when water is off. - On 2018-10-10 by Janet

Explanation by (mod): here's where to get the complete diagnosis and repair procedure

Debi

Except that if the pump was running when you stopped using water you might hear the switch click once when the cut-off pressure is reached.

If your actual well pump motor is down in the well (a submsersible pump) , when the pressure control turns the pump ON or OFF you'll hear the relay click - no other noise, or maybe also a sound of water entering the water tank.

If your switch is turning on and off for no apparent reason then either there's a leak somewhere in the well piping or a leaky check valve, or water is running somewhere in the house that you haven't noticed, such as a running toilet.

Please read WATER PUMP INTERMITTENT CYCLING  for complete diagnosis and repair steps

Causes Clicking noises at the water pump, switch, tank + no water!

When a water tank make clicking noises and no water comes out of the fauset, means what? On 2015-11-15 by stew

by Anonymous

Please see the

Clicking pressure switch discussion in the article WATER PUMP PRESSURE SWITCH NOISES and let me know if questions remain

What causes a clicking noise from the square box by my water pump?

I have just put my heating on and there a clicking noise coming from the square box in the hot press. (Jan 22, 2015) sandra hanly

Reply:

Sorry Sandra but though we'd like to help I'm mostly confused. I don't know what "hot press" you mean. Youi've posted a question on a page about water pump pressure control switches.

For heating system noises see

inspectapedia.com/heat/Heating_Noise_Diagnosis.php

If you mean that the water pump pressure control switch is clicking on and off that may be normal if your system is using water, or it may mean that the well pump is short-cycling - in that case see

WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES

See SOUND CONTROL for PLUMBING inspectapedia.com/BestPractices/Plumbing_Noise_Transmission.php

Water pump clicks like it wants to come on but then pump just hums.

My water pump clicks like it wants to come on but then pump just hums. I changes out the pressure switch and thought that was it but still same thing.

When pump tries to come on, if I hit the end of pump really hard with screwdriver and something similar it usually comes on but only works for a little while and then goes off again. Could it be capacitor going bad or something else? On 2016-09-06 by robert

Reply by (mod): turn off the system and call for repair

When the pump motor hums but won't start, the motor or impeller assembly has failed or is jammed and needs replacement or repair.

Watch out: to avoid overheating and even a possible electrical fire it would be best to turn off power to the pump and leave it off, then call for repair.

See the diagnosis and repair advice for humming electric motors given

at ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS

How do we fix cause of rapid clicking pressure switch and lights blinking

Pulling my hair out we have a rapid clicking in the pressure switch at the water tank It causes the lights downstairs to blink as well.. we have pulled the well out .. we had to replace the pump not long ago.. we checked all the water lines for leaks tightened all the connections...

Troubleshooting without a new pressure switch.. we bought a new valve.. its clicking and the lights blink rapidly..b we have a 2040 switch but it only runs up to 30 before it cuts off..

we have done everything I could read other than replace the tank but it seems the tank is holding pressure..

now we have a pulsating of water throughout house.. as if it is surging... please help I've spent so much money I can't afford a plumber at this point again On 2019-05-27 by Dana

by (mod) - rapid clicking at the pressure switch

Have you checked for a waterlogged pressure tank?

See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING - home - for diagnosis and repair

Water Pump Control Switch Humming Noise Q&A

Fluctuating humming noise until the pump turns ON!

I have a constant straining fluctuating humming noise in the house, originating from the well and traveling through the pipes.

The noise is on even with no power to the house.

While the pump is running, the noise ceases. There is no noise while top pressure of 60 psi is maintained.

After a very short time the pressure start drolli g slowly, and when it goes under 40, the noise re-starts. The pressure drops slower if I isolate the house from the water tank. I do

have water, there was no need to prime the pump. It is a Gould's three stage jet pump on a 62 years old well that is 365 feet deep.

I was told it is a bad foot valve or leaky pipes inside of the well - not worthy to attempt the repair.

Having a new well drilled for $8,200.

Thoughts?

I was wondering are there any tricks to get the foot valve working again - if it is a clog ... On 2018-01-12 by Susan Lazar

Disagnosis & suggestions by (mod) -

Susan

See HUMMING PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH for our diagnosis and repair advice of humming noises at the pump control switch.

If all electrical power to the building is off then I would not expect the well pump to be running and I would not expect any of its components, electrical or mechanical, to be a source of noise.

I speculate that there is a leaky foot valve or check valve (or a leaky well pipe) and that maybe you're hearing water flowing backwards into the well from the pressure tank when the pump is off.

In my OPINION it sounds remarkably strange to claim that you should drill a new well and install all new well equipment if the actual problem is a bad foot valve.

You ought to be able to pull well piping, replace foot valve, replace any questionable piping, and even replace a pump and pressure tank for a fraction of the cost of drilling a new well, and that's *before* eating the risk that after $8200. of your well drilling quote you haven't reached an adequate water flow and have to keep drilling deeper, for a deeper dig into your pockets.

For a well expert to tell you it's not worth replacing a bad foot valve (the part is typically less than $20. U.S. there must be a mystery here that we don't understand.

Pump Control Switch Buzzing Noise Q&A & Warnings

What causes buzzing in a Webtrol control box for our water pump?

Water stopped coming through the faucet the other day.

Notice the Webtrol control box for the well pump has a buzzing sound that comes about every15-30 seconds then stops. The control switch (not the control box) on what i believe to be the bladder looks somewhat burned out, but not really sure how to test if its still working or not.

With the cold weather i had been letting the watter run a slow drip on the faucets, i am gessing I burnt out the control switch by doing this? My guess about the buzz from the control box is its just telling me something isnt working properly in the system.

I am a DIY as much as possible but havent really looked into replacing a control switch yet and not sure if that is where i should start. Unfortunately the house was a forclosure and no back story on the well system. On 2017-01-14 by Justin

by (mod) -

Justin:

Usually buzzing in a control box like the one you describe by Webtrol means that a low voltage transformer or more likely a relay switch is failing or has failed. I'd replace the control or at the least, if possible the buzzing relay.

Details of diagnosis and repair are at BUZZING PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH

Watch out for electrocution - death by shock - if you're not trained in electrical repair, get help from a licensed electrician.

Nonstop buzzing from the water pump

Really loud buzzing or humming sound coming from the water pump, the noise is continuous for past 6 hours . What can I do? On 2016-10-12 by Colin

by (mod) - warning about nonstop buzzing at an electrical component

Watch out you are describing a failed electrical component: either the pump motor or its control or an electrical connection. To avoid a fire or shock hazard you should turn off the equipment and get an electrician on site.

I have no water coming into house and the pump control is buzzing

hi my name is andy I have no water coming into house, when I cut the power on I hear a buzzing noise coming from a box under the house and no power is coming threw the grey box, how can I get water back in my house please help andy On 2014-05-26

Suggestion by (mod) -

Andy

From just your note I can't tell if the problem is that the pressure switch has failed or if the pump motor has failed and the switch is buzzing trying to turn on the pump.

And if this is a deep well with a submersible pump in the well there may be a second relay that actually turns on the pump.

Watch out: leaving a buzzing pump control with a pump not working risks an electrical fire.

I would turn the system off -electrical switch - and get some help from an electrician or plumber familiar with pumps and controls. Keep us posted.

Pressure Switch OR Well Pipe Chattering Noise Q&A

What causes chattering on well tank piping

Why is the piping on my well tank chattering while filling. I have an 850 ft. deep well. I don't have any problem with pressure. (Feb 11, 2014) Anonymous

Reply:

Often flowing water will cause water piping to move around from pump vibration, surging pressures or (not so good) even air in the lines; securing the piping, perhaps using fittings intended to avoid conducting noise, may be a first step.

Just for clarity, let's double check that the source of that chattering noise isn't the well pump pressure control relay switch.

Take a look at the diagnosis and repair advice

at CHATTERING WATER PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH