how do you troubleshoot a deep well pump

How do you troubleshoot a deep well pump?

• First, be sure the power is on. Start by checking that the well switch located near your pressure tank hasn't been switched off.
• Then check the pressure switch.
• If the switch is bad, replace it.
• Temporary quick fix.
• Check pressure tank.

Full Answer

How to repair common deep well pump problems?

• Hard water: Hard water contains dissolved magnesium and calcium ions. ...
• Contamination by salt: During the winter months, many roads are coated in salt or a salt and sand mixture. ...
• Methane gas: Flammable gas inside a well, well pump enclosure and even a basement is a serious hazard to well owners. ...
• Oil: Spilled oil fuel can contaminate wells. ...

More items...

Which pump should I put in my deep well?

A few quick numbers you will need before we get started:

• Your pressure tank switch settings (if you have one). These typically come in three settings: 20/40, 30/50, and 40/60.
• Your well’s depth to water (or head). This is the distance from the top of the water to the top of the well. ...
• The power source you have available for your pump, 110v or 220v.
• Your well casing diameter. ...

How to repair a deep well submersible pump?

Replace the Pump Controller

• Remove the screw at the bottom of the pump control cover and lift it off the box to disconnect it.
• Take it to the store and buy an exact replacement.
• Snap the new cover onto the old box (no need to rewire if you buy the same brand).
• Then start the pump. The pump controller houses a capacitor to help start the pump. ...

How to tell if your well pump is bad?

Some of the most common indicators of a faulty well pump and pressure tank include:

• Fluctuations in water pressure throughout the home
• Strange noises or rapid clicking sounds coming from the tank
• Spitting faucets
• Scalding shower water
• High electric bills

How do you diagnose a well pump problem?

Diagnosing Pump and Well ProblemsCommon Symptoms.No water. The most basic problem, of course, is no water in the house. ... Sputtering water. ... Cloudy or muddy water. ... High utility bills. ... Poor tasting (or smelling) water. ... Pressure switch problems. ... Pulling and Replacing a Pump.More items...•

Why is my deep well pump not working?

Your well pump may have stopped working due to lack of power. Sometimes resetting a breaker or replacing a fuse affected by a power surge or brownout can fix this. If the well pump circuit breaker has tripped, the well pump itself may be failing.

Why is my submersible pump not pumping?

Start with the obvious. Check for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breaker. If the problem is intermittent, it could be dirty or corroded fuse receptacles. Next, check the voltage at the contact points for the pressure switch.

How do you fix a water pump that is not pumping water?

Your Pump is running but there is no water coming outTurn power to pump off.Remove gauge with bushing or bladder tank from top of pump.Pour water into pump until water fills pump housing.Replace gauge and bushing or tank, TIGHTEN.Turn power on.Open faucet or hose bib at pump to bleed air from system.

How do you test a deep well pump?

The Right Way to Test a 3 Wire Submersible Well PumpStep #1: Check the voltage of your well motor. ... Step #2: Turn off power to your well motor. ... Step #3: Hooking the cords. ... Step #4: Checking the Insulation Resistance. ... Replacing the well pump's pressure switch. ... Check if the pump has power issues.More items...•

Is there a reset button on my well pump?

0:552:05And will automatically reset in 15 minutes to an hour you'll know that it's reset when you get aMoreAnd will automatically reset in 15 minutes to an hour you'll know that it's reset when you get a green light in the Power. Circle. If you've checked both items.

Why is my water pump running but not pumping water?

When your well pump runs but no water comes out – it may be due to a clogged sediment filter or a filtration system failure. If no water is coming out of your faucets, try putting your water filtration system on 'bypass' and see if that corrects the issue.

Why is my well pump not building pressure?

The water pump may have suffered internal damage to a seal, bearing, or impeller. The motor will keep running but the pump is unable to develop normal pressures. "Damage" may include a broken impeller blade, scale or debris clogging the impeller or other pump components, or a failing pump seal or bearing.

How do you reset a submersible well pump?

Hold the reset lever in the start position until the pressure builds up and the gauge reads over 40 PSI; then let it return to the AUTO position. The pump should now run on its own and continue until the pressure reaches the cut out setting, (usually between 50 - 60 PSI), and then shut off.

Why do I suddenly have no water from my well?

If you are experiencing no water from the well, there can be many low water pressure causes, including a failing well pump, stuck check valve, partially closed or bad gate/ball valve and leaking/failing pressure tank.

Why is no water coming from my well?

A tank or pump failure can be caused by a number of factors: age, low-quality components, running without water, constant cycling or a clogged intake valve. Water pumps and pressure tanks don't need much in the way of maintenance, but they do need the right environment to reach their life expectancy.

What to Do If Your Water Stops Flowing

Chances are you’ll need to call in a plumber to make a thorough check, but there are a few simple checks you can do to determine if a minor problem...

How Your Water Pump and Pressure Tank Work Together

Water pressure is the factor that can make or break a satisfying shower, give you the power to suds up your dishwater or give you a quick rinse of...

How Water Pressure Tanks Work

Once the water is in the pressure tank, how does it know when to get more? By the hard-working pressure switch. When the tank pushes out enough wat...

Why is my well pump not delivering water?

Another reason your well pump may not be delivering water is sediment. Rocks or other small materials may be blocking the pump from water getting through. These materials can wear your pump down so it’s important to remove them immediately.

What to do if water is not flowing through pump?

If water is not flowing through your pump the next thing you should do is check the air pressure. Look for the air valve at the top of the water tank and test it with a tire gauge. If the pressure is low the tank may be filled with water or the air bladder is broken.

Why does my well pump make a clicking sound?

Noisy Pump. When a well water pump turns on you will hear a clicking sound. That sound is the pressure switch opening and closing. If your pump isn’t delivering water but you hear this clicking sound its time to get professional well pump services. This sound indicates that the problem with the well water pump may be between the pump and your house.

Why is it important to keep a well pump in good shape?

Not to mention you’ll have a pretty good idea of what kind of chemicals are in your water. That’s why it’s important to keep your pump in great shape so you can be in control of your water supply.

Why is my well not working?

One of the most common causes of a well not working is that it has no access to power. This happens a lot in residential areas. If you can recall a power surge that happened in your area or an increase of power this may have caused the issue.

What happens when a water pump is dry?

This problem can happen during a drought or dry seasons. This means that there isn’t that much water to move through the pump. This problem could be fixed when the dry spell is over. If it isn’t temporary your pump will need to be moved deeper into the ground.

Why does my well pump stop working?

Dirt, hard water minerals, small stones or other debris can reduce water flow or cause the pump to stop working completely . It can be hard to know if your well pump is broken or if another part of your water system is not working properly.

What happens if a well pump line breaks?

If one of your lines has broken, you may notice flooding in the section of your property where the pipes go from the well to the house. Your well pump will be overworking, and it will be especially important to call in help as soon as possible to keep your pump from pumping out the water uncontrolled.

What happens if your water pressure tank goes out?

Power Loss – If your power goes out, you’ll only have as much water as your pressure tank is holding since electricity is needed to run the pressure switch on your tank and the pump. However, even if you aren’t experiencing a complete power outage, you may have just blown the breaker for the pump.

Why is my water pump not working?

If neither of these quick fixes got your system running again, you may have an issue with your pressure tank or water pump. A tank or pump failure can be caused by a number of factors: age, low-quality components, running without water, constant cycling or a clogged intake valve.

How does a well pump work?

The well pump pulls or pushes — depending on the type of pump — the water from the well, sending it to the pressure tank, which holds the water under pressure until something in your plumbing system is turned on. The pressure tank creates pressure with a portion of its tank filled with compressed air.

How to determine the size of a water pump?

The size of a pump is determined by the size of your plumbing system , like how many faucets there are and how many appliances use water. Overworked Water Pump – Your pressure tank should also be sized to your home’s water use to take some of the work off the water pump.

How long do submersible well pumps last?

When properly taken care of, a submersible well pump can have a long life of up to 15 years, although it can be difficult to know just how old your well pump is if a previous homeowner had it installed. The above-ground jet pumps that are more commonly used with shallow wells have an average life span of 10 years.

How deep is a well pump?

Deep well pump. Repairing a deep well pump may prove to be a tricky job. This is because such pumps are usually found at a depth of 300 feet below ground level. If the pump fails to transfer water from the well to your house, you must try and repair any problems as soon as possible.

What causes a well pump to bring up mud?

Other problems include the pipe, the foot valve, and the strainer being clogged. If these parts are clogged, the deep well pump may bring up mud or sand instead of water. You may also find that the check valve is broken.

Why is my well not coming out?

If the water still does not come out of the well, inspect the wires and cables that run out of the fuse box down into the well. The cause of the problem may be a damaged wire. When you are sure that the problem is not related to electric power, check the water pump.

Why is my water pump not working?

If the water pump is not working, then the cause of the problem is probably related to the motor. You may also have a faulty starter switch. Replace the starter switch with a new one. Now turn off the power supply and clean the pressure switch using a piece of paper because it could be dirty or obstructed.

Why is my shower pump freezing?

On the other hand, if the place where you live is very arid, then the water may have dried to a point that the pump cannot reach it. Troubleshooting Problems with a Steam Shower Generator.

How deep can a well jet pump be buried?

It can be buried around 200 feet below the surface so repairing it can be a problem. That’s why it’s important to troubleshoot the jet pump thoroughly before digging it up and possibly wasting your time, effort and resources. It should also be addressed immediately especially if it is your home’s sole source of water.

Why is my pump not running?

If the motor of your pump is not running, as stated earlier, it can also be connected to the wiring on the surface. Be sure to thoroughly check that portion. However, it is also possible that the cables found within the pump have been damaged. The starter could also be at fault. These should therefore be replaced immediately. The problem could be the motor itself getting stuck due to dirt and corrosion buildup from underneath the ground. In any case, you need to bring the pump up in order to replace these components, which could be quite tedious.

Inspect the Breakers

The first thing we suggest you do is to check the breaker box. Often, a breaker gets tripped, and the solution is as simple as resetting it or replacing the fuse. This is especially common in older homes. If this seems to be an ongoing problem, it could be a short within the electrical wiring itself.

Check the Pressure Gauge

If the breaker box isn’t the problem, the next step would be to check the pressure gauge of your well pump. This will tell you whether the problem lies inside your home or in the well itself. The pressure should read between 40 and 60 psi.

Check the Pressure Switch

Another area to check that can sometimes break down is the pressure switch. Over time, this switch can become corroded, causing a malfunction in the well pump. Be careful as you check the switch as the contacts are live, and you don’t want to harm yourself.

Water Pump Services in Bergen County

The next time your well pump is on the fritz, contact the professionals at Ackerson Pump Company by calling (973) 827-6088. We serve Bergen County and all nearby areas with our water pumps, well pump replacement services, well inspections, water well repairs, and water tank installations.

What to do after working on a well?

After doing work on a well (or the mechanical components that pump water from the well), be sure to recommend to customers that they test the water at a certified lab. And while they’re waiting for the results, drink filtered or bottled water. About the Author.

Why does my well water spit out?

This usually comes from two sources: a malfunctioning pump, or a break or crack in the water pipe above the pump. To confidently diagnose and fix these problems, the well has to be pulled. Cloudy or muddy water.

Why does my water pump wear so quickly?

Once this process starts, the pump wears more quickly because of the abrasiveness of the silt and sand. High utility bills. If the customer’s power usage for a month is abnormally high and there’s not another obvious reason for it, suspect a pump that’s running all the time.

What does it mean when a pump bottoms out?

If the pump bottoms out before it’s submerged, this often means a new well has to be drilled. Here’s a tip for your customers: The water depth in a well does fluctuate, and they can chart this by doing a simple test. Just lower a fishing line, with a bobber attached to the bottom, into the well. When the bobber hits the water, mark the line.

How to measure the distance between a bobber and a well?

Just lower a fishing line , with a bobber attached to the bottom, into the well. When the bobber hits the water , mark the line. Then pull it up and measure the distance between the bobber and the mark. Do this several times a week for a couple of weeks to get a sense of how the well behaves. Sputtering water.

Why is there no water in my well?

But generally, no water means well problems or pump problems. Well issues are centered around lack of water, usually caused by the time of year. Late summer is most common. Overuse is typical in spring and summer, and it can eventually draw down the water table so that it falls below the depth of the pump.

How long does it take for a well to replenish after a drought?

If local conditions are declared a drought by state government, then the water table may have lowered to the point where replenishment will take many months, or even years. The most economical way to fix this problem is to lower the pump deeper into the well.

Common Causes Of Well Pump Failure

It’s important to know what causes a well pump to fail because this will help you know when to look for signs it’s gone bad. Here’s a quick breakdown of the common causes:

How To Tell If Your Well Pump Is Bad (Signs & Symptoms)

Now you know the main causes that a well pump has gone bad, it’s important to understand how you can tell if it’s not working correctly.

How To Troubleshoot & Fix A Failing Well Pump

If you spot a sign that your well pump is failing, then you need to get to the bottom of the issue. Half the problem is not knowing exactly what’s broken, so we've given a step-by-step guide of how to test the well pump to see if it’s one of the common issues. If you do know what the issue is, then you can jump straight to that step:

Conclusion

Well pumps, like any other piece of home equipment, are not made to last forever, but if you look after them and maintain them properly, then you can get a good 15-20 years from them.