7 Signs Your Well Pump Is Failing (Do Not Ignore #3)

A sudden drop in water pressure throughout the house is the most common first sign of a failing well pump. The change is usually noticeable: a shower that normally runs strong becomes weak, or a dishwasher takes longer to fill. The pressure tank in your system maintains pressure between 40 and 60 PSI. If the pump cannot maintain this range, pressure at fixtures drops. Check the pressure tank first (a failing bladder mimics this symptom), then the pressure switch settings. If both check out, the pump is the likely cause.

Water coming out in bursts interspersed with air means the pump is drawing air instead of water. This happens when the water level in the well drops below the pump intake, or when the pump has developed a seal failure. A pump running dry can burn out the motor within minutes to hours, converting a repairable problem into a full replacement.

A well pump should cycle on to build pressure, then shut off when the target is reached. If the pump runs for extended periods without reaching cutoff pressure, something is preventing the system from pressurizing. This continuous running generates excessive heat and accelerates wear. Common causes include a failed pressure tank (the bladder has ruptured so the tank has no air cushion), a major leak in the water line, or a pump that has lost efficiency and can no longer generate adequate pressure.

A struggling pump runs longer and more frequently than normal, driving up energy consumption. A 1 HP submersible pump draws about 750 watts when running. If it is running twice as many hours per day as normal, the monthly bill reflects it. A sudden unexplained increase of $20 to $50 per month -- especially if water usage has not changed -- warrants investigation. Compare to the same month in prior years.

The pressure switch turns the pump on when pressure drops to the lower set point (usually 40 PSI) and off at the upper set point (usually 60 PSI). Rapid clicking means the pump is unable to maintain pressure. You can hear this as a series of fast clicks near the pressure tank, and may notice flickering lights. A motor starting and stopping 50 times per hour instead of 5 to 10 is under extreme stress.

Persistent sand or silt in your water can indicate the pump is sitting too close to the well bottom and drawing sediment, or that the pump screen has deteriorated. Fine sand wears out pump impellers over time, reducing efficiency and eventually causing failure. A small amount of sediment when first drawing water after a period of non-use is not unusual, but persistent discoloration suggests the pump or well screen needs attention.

Complete water loss is the end stage of pump failure. This can result from the pump motor burning out, a failed pressure switch not sending the on signal, a tripped circuit breaker, or a major break in the water line. Before assuming the worst, check the simple causes first: verify the circuit breaker has not tripped (reset it once; do not repeatedly reset a breaker that keeps tripping), and check the pressure switch for damage or corrosion.