How Do I know If my Well Pump is Bad?

how to tell if well pump is bad Having a well at your home is more advantageous compared to the municipal water supply. How so? It lowers your water bill. Besides that, it guarantees you of fresh and clean water throughout the year. You need a well pump whether you have a shallow well or a deep well.

Well-Pumps are prone to going bad; therefore, you’re bound to encounter some issues through a pump’s life. So, how do I know if my well pump is bad?

There are some common problems associated with such pumps, and we’ll have a look at several here.

warning signs that indicate your well pump is bad

After you’ve used your good pump for a while, you’ll realize when there is something amiss. Sadly, not everyone knows how to recognize warning signs that indicate that their well pump is bad. Consequently, a bad water pump will not deliver water into the house, or you’ll end up using contaminated water.

Here are some of the warning signs to look out for to determine if you have a bad pump.

Cloudy or muddy water

dirty water glass and clean water in a glass When you open your taps and realize that the water flowing through them is muddy or has lots of sediments, then there is a high likelihood that your submersible well pump is bad. When you only get cloudy water, it means that you have a bad well pump which is unable to filter out silt effectively.

Therefore, when the water gets pumped into your house, muddy water will pour out. Also, the muddy water could be a clear indication that your submersible pump is gradually wearing out. The wear may result from the friction brought along by the accumulation of silt or sand.

High electricity bills

high energy cost Another indication that your water pump is spoilt is if you start receiving escalated electricity bills. Usually, a water pump has specific power ratings. As a result, it is expected to consume a particular amount of energy per a certain period.

So, if you notice that your water bill is too high, then you need to be troubleshooting the water pump.

When your well pump malfunctions, it will consume more electricity. What happens when the pressure gauge is spoilt. You need to carry out the necessary adjustments to rectify that or replace the pressure switch. Also, your electricity bill might go up when bacteria, sand, or silt block your water pump. The blockage causes your pump to work harder to get the water to your house, increasing electricity consumption.

Low water pressure

Low water pressure Have you been experiencing low water pressure whenever you turn on your taps? Well, if you have, then that could be a clear indication that your well pump has issues.

The low water pressure might be too stressful that you may even be unable to take a shower. That’s why you have to check your water pump pressure gauge to determine if the low pressure is attributed to its malfunction.

Mostly, the low pressure results from clogging. Bacteria are the most common culprits behind pipe blockages. To solve this issue, you will need to get a rooter to unblock the pipes. It’s also important that test your water to see if it has iron bacteria. If they’re present, you need to clean your pump to get rid of the iron bacteria and slime. By doing so, you’ll restore the water pressure to normal.

Noisy spitting faucets

Do you ever turn on your tap, and then the faucet starts making a noisy spitting sound? Well, that could be an indication that you need to carry out proper maintenance practices on your water pump. Otherwise, the problem will persist.

The spitting faucets’ problems result from the air in the plumbing. Therefore, we recommend that you troubleshoot for cracks in the pipes that are above your water pump. Alternatively, you should inspect for a leaking pressure tank bladder because it could also cause the spitting.

Change in water quality

change in water quality You can also tell if your well pump is bad when the water has a poor taste. Nobody wants to consume such water anyway, and that’s why you must check if your jet pump has issues. Normally, well water gets contaminated by silt, sand, bacteria, and organic waste.

All these contaminants create poor taste, and in worse instances, a foul odor. Such well water could pose a health risk, and it would be unwise to consume it unless you use water filtration methods such as reverse osmosis or water softeners.

The poor taste could also be attributed to corroded pipes. In such a case, you’ll feel that the water has a rusty taste and smell. We recommend testing the water and making the necessary maintenance to improve water quality.

Strange clicking sounds from your tank

A water pressure tank is designed with a bladder, which is filled with air. Over its lifespan, the bladder may a loose valve or leak, and that causes a clicking sound around the pressure tank. The loss of air from the bladder could affect you are well pump, causing it to start and stop regularly. When that happens, look for plumbing experts near me to get the problem resolved.

How to troubleshoot a well pump

In case of power loss, inspect the electrical box to establish if the breaker has tripped. If not, check to see if the pressure switch has issues.
If the problem results from a low water table, then you should move the jet pump deeper underground.
Also, you need to ensure that your well pump matches up to your home’s plumbing and water consumption. That way, you’ll ensure that valves are functioning effectively. Besides, it avoids overworking, increasing its lifespan.
Get a water treatment system installed to get rid of the sand or silt before it reached your water pressure tank.

Well Pumps FAQs

What’s the cost of replacing a pump?

When you’ve got a deep well pump, the cost of replacing it is between $ 1,000 and 2,000. On the other hand, the cost of replacing a shallow well pump is between $ 500 and $ 1000. This cost doesn’t include the service charge which could go as high as $100

Where is a pump located?

For a shallow-well pump, it’s usually installed on the ground or inside the house. In most cases, you hear the sound of the pump when it’s running. Fora deep well pumps, they are normally submersible pumps that are installed deep inside the well.

How long does a pump for a well last?

For submersible pumps, since they are located deep inside the well, they can last as long as 10 years. For a shallow well pump which is located on the service, last for a maximum of 8 years.

How do you know if a pump is bad?

Basically, You know that a pump is bad when you start having high energy costs, muddy water, and low water pressure.

Is a well pump covered under homeowner’s insurance?

It depends on the kind of insurance coverage you’ve. Basic Homeowner plans will treat the Well as a different entity altogether. For example, just like some policies view your garage as a different entity, they will also exclude your well

Final word

A well is an efficient source of water, which can cater to all your home’s water needs. However, you must have a pump to draw water from the well. Sometimes, a well pump will malfunction, affecting the efficient flow of water. Fortunately, there are ways for you to tell if your well pump is bad, and the most effective ones are mentioned above. If your pump has an issue, ensure to call a plumbing expert to make the necessary repairs.

ABOUT LEON SMITH

Leon Smith Profile Leon is a Thirty-something-year-old blogger from Mauritius who is currently studying for a Master’s degree in chemical and processing Engineering at the University of Eldoret in Kenya. Read more about him.