Does your home, institution, or business rely on water wells? If “yes,” the chances are that you use a water well pump, and learning how to diagnose and repair it is very important.

Water wells offer absolute independence from municipal water systems, allowing you to reduce or eliminate monthly water bills. This independence comes with one key responsibility; you are responsible for the breakdowns that might happen on the system, from the plumbing lines to the pumps. This post digs deeper into the well pumps to demonstrate how you should diagnose and repair them in case of a problem.

Understand the Signs of Trouble with Water Pumps

Before you can start fixing the problem, the first step is to understand when the pump is having trouble. So, here are some signs to check:

When you turn on the water tap in your kitchen faucet, garden, or bathroom but no water is coming out, that might be a sign of trouble. However, the problem might also be caused by damaged plumbing lines or fixtures. For example, burst pipes might be diverting water to a different destination.

A water pump is made of a number of components, including a motor, that should start and stop when you turn the switch on and off, respectively. Therefore, if you find that the pump is taking too long to respond or runs continuously, it might be a sign of trouble. It might also mean that the plumbing line is damaged or the water supply in the well is too low.

The water pressure in different water exit points, such as faucets and showerheads, should be steady and equal. If the pressure is very low and flow in the outlets is different, it is crucial to check closer because the pump might be having an issue.

NOTE: It is paramount to cut down the power supply to the pump and any other area/ facility, such as the showers, before starting any repair works. Also, you need the right tools, from voltage testers to wrenches and double circuit breakers.

Diagnosing and Repairing Broken Water Pumps

When your water pump starts malfunctioning, here are the possible causes and how to fix them:

• Check the Power Source and Repair if Broken

Lifting water from the well is not an easy job, and your pump relies on electrical energy from a power source. Indeed, the energy required to run a pump that draws water from a deep well might be equal to what is needed to operate an electric oven or baseboard drier.

So, check the circuit breaker, and if you notice it is broken, the best idea is to change it. If the system uses an arc fault circuit breaker (AFCI), check them regularly because they are prone to failures. Remember to ensure the power lines from the mains and to the pump are done correctly.

• Check and Repair the Pressure Switch Pump

Another common cause of failure in water pumps might be on the pressure switch. The best thing here is replacing the switch, but we will tell you what you can do to extend its life.

When the relays contact to transmit current, they get pitted or burnt with time. So, consider cleaning the contacts to make it easy for the current to flow again. You can do this using sandpaper, running it on the surface until they are shiny. It will be a good idea to check and do this during regular maintenance instead of only when the pump fails.

• Inspect the Check and Foot Valves

When a water pump is running normally, the foot valve and strainer have to be working properly to allow water to pass through without obstruction. For water wells that use submersible pumps, the check valves should be working well by holding the vacuum on one end and pressure on the other. With a check valve, water only moves upwards.

Once you check the valves, it is time to inspect the plumbing lines to ensure the water is running unobstructed.

This guide has demonstrated how you should diagnose water wells and repair issues they might have. Note that these are the most common issues, but if the problems are more complex, it will be a good idea to work with an expert for a comprehensive diagnosis and repair. Also, ensure to use high-quality parts for better performance and longer lifespan of your water pump.