It’s easy to take water for granted until the moment you turn on the tap and nothing happens. For those on a private well system, your pump is the silent workhorse of your home. When it falters, it doesn’t just disrupt your chores—it halts your entire daily routine.
Understanding what’s happening deep underground can save you a lot of stress. Here is a guide to the five most common well pump problems and how to navigate them.
1. No Water at the Tap
Usually, this is an electrical communication breakdown. Before calling a pump professional, check the power supply to the pump. Ideally this will be on a dedicate circuit – so have a look at your consumer unit.
Often borehole pumps have a small ‘starter’ box. These units have a thermal overload built into them, they have a small reset button on them that ‘pops’ out if the pump draws too much current. Resetting this may solve your problem, but we’d advise you get it checked by an expert as it tripped for the a reason. These boxes often also contain the capacitor for the pump, and this is a common point of failure. If you system is controlled by a pressure switch its best to leave the investigation to the professionals.
2. Sputtering Taps (Air in the Lines)
If your taps “spit” air when you first turn them on, your plumbing has been breached. This can happen if there is a crack in the drop pipe or if the water level in your well has dropped below the pump intake. This is a mechanical emergency; turn the pump off to prevent the motor from seizing.
3. The Pump "Short Cycling"
You’ll notice this issue when your stood near the pressure switch that controls your borehole pump. Short cycling is when your pump clicks on and off rapidly while you’re using water. This is almost always caused by a failed pressure vessel. Without a proper cushion of air in the tank, the pump hits its “off” pressure almost instantly. This constant starting and stopping will eventually burn out your motor.
4. Low Water Pressure
If the flow seems to “pulse” or has simply become a trickle, your system is struggling. This is often a sign of a clogged sediment filter or a failing pressure tank bladder. It could also mean the pump’s internal components are worn down from years of use. Your filters should be changed regularly.
5. Sand or Silt in the Water
Finding grit at the bottom of your bathtub? This often means the pump is sitting too close to the bottom of the well and is sucking up silt. It can also indicate that the well screen has degraded, allowing debris into the system which acts like sandpaper on your pump’s internals. It may also be time to change and review the type of sediment filtreation you have on the your system. Borehole supplies should have a 5micro filter installed.
The Troubleshooting Flowchart: Should I Call a Pro?
Follow this logic to decide whether to grab your toolkit or your phone.
- Is there NO water? Reset the circuit breaker once. If it trips again, or if your pressure gauge reads 0, you need a professional.
- Is the water spitting? Turn the power off immediately. This requires an inspection of the drop pipe or well depth.
- Is the pump clicking constantly? Check for system leaks. If you find none, the issue is internal to the pressure tank.
- Is the pressure low? Check your sediment filter. If it’s clean but the pressure is still low, the pump itself is likely failing.
- Is the water dirty? Check your filtration system first. If the grit continues, the pump placement needs adjusting.
DIY vs. Professional Action Table
This table summarizes the problems above and clarifies exactly when you can handle it yourself.
Problem | DIY Action | When to Call Mawdsleys |
1. No Water | Reset circuit breaker (once). | If the breaker trips again or the pressure switch is burnt. |
2. Sputtering Taps | Turn off the power to save the motor. | To repair drop pipes or address low water levels. |
3. Short Cycling | Check the house for leaking taps/toilets. | To recharge or replace the pressure tank bladder. |
4. Low Pressure | Clean or replace sediment filters. | If pressure remains low after filter changes. |
5. Dirty Water | Inspect and flush your filtration unit. | To pull the pump and inspect the well screen. |
How Mawdsleys Pump Services Can Help?
While DIY checks are a great first step, well systems involve high-pressure water and high-voltage electricity. At Mawdsleys, we bridge the gap between a problem and a permanent solution.
Our Competencies:
- Rapid Diagnostics: We use precise testing to find the exact failure point, saving you from replacing parts that still have life in them.
- 24/7 Emergency Support: Water emergencies don’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do we.
- Clear, Precise Communication: We explain the technical “why” in plain English, ensuring you’re informed every step of the way.
- Proven Reliability: Our Google Reviews highlight our commitment to getting the job done right the first time.
Our Value Statement: We deliver swift solutions for your pump equipment every day. Reliable, Rapid, Informative.
