Intro:
If you own a home and get your water from a well, you should know that problems can hit at the worst possible time, and after-hours or weekend repairs can cost a small fortune. The most typical signs of a problem with a well include no water at all, pulsating water pressure, and a constantly running well pump.
If you are experiencing any of the following issues, there’s a good chance you can solve the problem yourself.
Check Power:
Check to see that the well switch near your pressure tank has not been switched off. Then check the well’s double-pole circuit breaker to see if it is tripped on if not reset it. If it keeps tripping, there may be a problem with the well pump and you may need to call a professional to take care of that issue.
Check Pressure Switch:
You’ll find the pressure switch mounted on a tube near the pressure tank. This is what senses that water pressure has dropped to the point where more water is needed for your home’s sprinkler system. If this switch is bad, it won’t work so your sprinklers will not turn on and your grass will most likely die. The first step in replacing this switch will require you to open up your well casing so that you can access the switch itself. Then, using a screwdriver, strike sharply against the pump’s wiring harness below the tension coil until it lights up – if it does light up then you know that the coil itself is good but that one of its connecting wires have suffered due to corrosion or oxidation damage.
If you find the pressure switch is malfunctioning, there are two things to test it with. You could test it to make sure that the wiring isn’t plugged into the wrong port, or you could check to make sure there aren’t any leaks in the tank (try increasing/decreasing the pressure). Fixing a faulty pressure switch is about $25; fixing a controller requires more time and will also run another $25 or so. Remember! To avoid damage to your water fountain’s parts, please be careful when working on them. Always do things when they’re turned off.
Quick Fix:
If banging or tapping the tube under the pressure switch, which controls a well pump, has been enough to turn it on and off, it means that either a) a poor connection is causing the metal surfaces of the bad electrical contacts to degrade over time or b) there is short circuit causing a continuous flow through those contacts. In either case, this will not last long.
Pump Controller:
To separate the pump control cover, remove the screw at the bottom and lift it off the box.
Take it to the store and purchase a replacement that is identical.
Attach the new cover to the old box with a snap (no need to rewire if you buy the same brand).
The pump should then be started.
A capacitor is housed in the pump controller to aid with the start-up of the pump. Most pump controls are located near the pressure tank in the house, but some are located inside the well pump itself, requiring a professional to repair. This remedy isn’t for you if you don’t have the box shown below.
Because there’s no way to test the controller, you’ll either have to risk losing $75 by replacing it with a decent one or hire a pro. It’s simple to replace the pump controller as illustrated here, and it’s your last, best chance to avoid a service call. If the pump still won’t start after replacing the pressure switch, we believe it’s worth the risk to replace the well pump controller.
Pressure Tank Air Valve
It’s important to check the air-valve to see if water is coming out. You can use a screwdriver or something else that you might have laying around. If the air valve looks like it’s rusty, then there’s probably an issue with your tank and you’re probably better off replacing it altogether. However, if everything checks out medially well, consider testing your tank again by filling the bathtub to make sure that it does actually function properly. If not, replace the tube (or medially well replace the tubing). Obviously no one wants to spend extra money unnecessarily on anything – especially something as expensive as plumbing – but often things like these can be fixed rather than buying a whole new replacement which could cost up to $200+.
To slightly rock the tank, press against the top.
It’s bad if you can’t rock it or if it feels top-heavy.
It should be drained and replaced.
Get Professional Help
If your pump is constantly running, there may not be a DIY solution. When a well pump is turned on, the pressure switch opens and closes with a clicking sound. If you hear a lot of clicking while there is no water running, you have an issue outside the house and will need to engage a professional.
It could be a damaged water line from the well to the home, a poor check valve right above the submersible pump at the bottom of the well, a bad connection leaving the well casing, or even a broken water line inside the well casing. Each of these issues necessitates the assistance of a professional. In southern Maine you can contact American Mechanical and Plumbing Services.
