Water Leaks Can Cause Pump Short Cycling FAQs

Why a water leak causes pump short cycling?

Water Leaks May Cause Pump Short Cycling FAQs

Well pump short cycling; plumber says we need a new water heater tank.

Water well (10yrs old)short cycling, over time the in betweens became closer and closer. The well pump now runs constantly.

Well man says it needs new tank. Prior to that we felt it could be a pressure issue. Not that there was any pressure loss in the home.

Later discovered a water leak under house, a big one. Seems to be hot water heater. Could fix/replace hot water heater fix the well cycling issue? On 2019-01-01 by Wendy

by (mod) - replacing a water heater will not fix the well pump but a water leak can cause pump damage or short cycling

No, sorry, replacing a water heater will not fix a short cycling well pump.

BUT If the water tank was leaking that would indeed cause the well pump to run to try to replenish the lost water.

And if the leak was bad or went on for a long time, the pump might run so much or so often that (if your water tank doesn't use an internal bladder to keep water and air separate) your water tank could lose its air charge - and that would in turn cause the pump to short-cycle.

OR: if your water pressure tank is one that uses an internal bladder and if the bladder has failed that it would be reasonable to replace the pressure tank.

In sum: There is a relationship between a plumbing leak under your home such as from your water heater, and short cycling only in that the leak meant that your pump is running continuously.

Pressure Falls Off Quickly, all new equipment

I have put check valve on; the system holds pressure. I put new pressure switch on 30/50. I put 28 psi in tank empty.

At first it pumped up to 48 kicked off then at 32? I t tried to kick on but didn’t just on off real fast.

Then go to zero then finally kick on off and pumps up to about 25-28 and kicks off. When pump runs it is pumping water just won’t run long enough to get to 48 and don’t kick on at 30. I am stumped. New tank all that’s left. Help

Now it will only pump up to 25 psi and kicks off goes to zero then kicks on off and then back to 25. New pressure switch when pump runs it pumps water but just won’t kick on an stay on. Then kick off to early. ? On 2018-10-22 by Mark

by (mod) - when pressure goes to zero before the pump turns on

When water pressure goes to zero before the pump turns on, clearly the switch is not responding to water pressure.

Usually that's debris clogging of the switch or the tubing conducting water pressure to it.

by Mark - pump trips circuit breaker - bad pressure switch?

I shut power off it’s not responding at all no humming it throws breaker trying to kick on. Could it have burnt that new switch up? I will probably have to get another new pressure switch when I replace the pressure tank tomorrow am I correct. Any help be great

When I replace the pressure switch I took nipple off and cleaned it. I didn’t clean the t out. But I don’t know what going on it has worn me out new check valve. New pressure switch. ??

Now I have nothing. I hope something didn’t burn up. I am going to replace pressure tank tomorrow that’s everything but the pump. I hope the thing acting like that didn’t hurt pump. I t don’t even try to pump now. No water

by (mod) - don't replace the water tank before we have diagnosed a "no water pressure" problem

Before replacing the pressure tank, consider that the tank would not directly cause no water pressure at all.

What do I do if there's a new tank and pressure switch but the pump still short cycles?

Then what should I do if I replace tank an new pressure switch what can it be ? On 2018-10-23 by Mark

by (mod) -

I would step through the short cycle causes listed at WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING CAUSES

I'm replacing pump and tank to fix this water problem

I wired pump direct nothing. Replacing pump and pressure tank and switch. If that doesn’t work I be moving On 2018-10-23 by mark

by (mod) - be sure to distinguish between water pump short-cycling problems and pump-not-running problems

Mark

Don't give up, though it's frustrating; the number of parts and controls is not that great.

If the pump, wired directly, does not run, then the problem is the pump or wires connecting to it.

However if the pump runs but produces no water the issue an be with the pump inlet, impeller, piping (leaks), or there could just be no water in the well.

Those are NOT "short cycling" (rapid on-off cycling of a well pump) problems except indirectly in that a pump that cycles on and off rapidly for too long can burn-up its controls or its own motor, or could turn off on thermal reset.

See WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

by Mark - now I've got water but the system won't hold water pressure

I have water! But now bleeds off idle so pulling again to check joints installed today! Lol. But we are getting there.

by (mod) - look for a leak or a bad check valve or foot valve

If pressure bleeds off try turning OFF the main valve into the building; if the pressure bleed-down stops then you know water is running somewhere in the building - perhaps a running toilet.

If pressure bleed down continues the I suspect a leak in well piping or at a check valve or foot valve.