Three Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Well Pump
Your well pump may be the most important piece of equipment in your home, even more than your HVAC or refrigerator. We use water for everything, from cooking and drinking to laundry and showering, and your well pump is responsible for supplying your home with the clean, fresh water you need. However, well water pumps are only made to last about 8 to 10 years, though with regular well pump inspections, maintenance, and timely repairs if needed, they often last well over 15 years. If your well pump is getting older, or you're unsure of the age of the equipment, here are the signs you need to watch out for to determine if it's time to replace your well pump, along with how to troubleshoot issues you're experiencing.
No Water Is Coming from Your Faucet
Assuming the Raleigh area is not experiencing a serious drought or water shortage, not having any water into your home is most likely an issue with your well equipment. We know this may seem like a no-brainer - if you turn on the water and nothing happens, clearly there's a serious issue that is possibly caused by a water pump failure. Turn your well water pump off immediately, and check out the troubleshooting tips at the bottom of this article.
Low Water Pressure or "Spitting"
Again, assuming that there isn't a serious drought in Raleigh affecting water levels, if you have poor water pressure, or low, steady water pressure that's interrupted by air bubbles in the pipes (creating a "spitting" effect), your well water pump may be starting to wear out. A decrease in water pressure or air in your pipes is often due to an older or faulty pump being unable to maintain its original efficiency and can't pull as much water from the well as it used to.
Well Pump Runs Non-Stop
As your well pump struggles to maintain your home's water needs, it will run more in order to try and keep up with demand. If you're not sure if your pump is running constantly, check the pressure switch and see if it's clicking off and on frequently. Also, a spike in your electric bill is another clue your pump is running non-stop.
Troubleshooting a Well Pump Problem
There are three things that could be causing water flow or pump problems that you can check first:
Power failure
Check to see if the circuit connected to your well water pump has flipped. If so, reset it, and if it doesn't happen again, it was probably a just a one-time issue. If it continues to trip, it is a sign you need well pump service.
Pressure tank
Water that's pumped from your well is held in a pressure tank until you turn on a faucet, which causes air pressure in the tank to push water into your plumbing pipes. When there is zero water or minimal water pressure, check your pressure tank - it should be reading at least 20psi (or higher, depending on the type of tank). If it's at zero, call your well repair provider to fix the issue.
Plumbing issue
Many of the problems that are signs of a well water pump failure are also signs of a serious plumbing issue, such as a clog or break in a main pipe. If you hear your well pump running constantly - a tell tale sign is a clicking sound of the pressure switch - check for pooling water in your yard. Turn the well pump off immediately, and call a plumber.
Contact the Pros at A&T Well and Pump
If you're experiencing any signs of water flow issues into your home, it's important to call a well pump repair service right away to diagnose and fix the issue. At A & T Well and Pump, we have served the Raleigh area since 2006, providing quality, affordable well pump replacement and installation along with other services related to water well maintenance. Contact us today at (919) 291-4063 to schedule service.
