How To Fix A House Water Pump

If you have a well chances are that there will be a point in time when you will need to do some basic water well pump troubleshooting. Below are a list of possible issues that can develop and some steps that you can take in troubleshooting the issues.

Simple Water Well Pump Troubleshooting Tips for Quick Cycle Pumps

POSSIBLE CAUSE #1: Waterlogged Tank

Record start pressure of pump.
TURN POWER OFF.
Drain water from tank by opening valve or faucet, leave it open.
With tire gauge check air pressure. Air pressure should be 2 lbs. less than start pressure of the pump.
If start pressure is unknown add air to 25 lbs. – call for service.
If tank will not hold air – CALL FOR SERVICE.

POSSIBLE CAUSE #2: Leak Before Or After Discharge of Pump

Close gate valve on discharge side of pump. If pump quits cycling, there is a leak in the water lines going to either the house, irrigation system or there is something turned on somewhere – check sinks, toilets, washing machine, outside faucets, etc.
Close gate valve on discharge side of pump. If the cycling continues there is a problem with either the well, foot valve or deep well jet.
CALL FOR SERVICE.

PUMP DOES NOT RUN

Check breaker, on/off switch or ensure pump is plugged in.

PUMP HAS POWER BUT DOES NOT RUN

TURN POWER OFF AT CIRCUIT BREAKER.
This could be a major electrical or mechanical problem and it could be dangerous to try to fix yourself. Call Partridge Well for service.

PUMP HUMS BUT DOES NOT RUN

TURN POWER OFF AT BREAKER
This could be a major electrical or mechanical problem and it could be dangerous to try to fix yourself. Call Partridge Well for service.

Your Pump is running but there is no water coming out

Possible cause for this type of issues is that your pump has lost its prime.

STEPS TO RE-PRIME A SHALLOW WELL JET PUMP (HORIZONTAL)

Turn 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.

NOTE: STEPS 1 – 6 MAY NEED TO BE REPEATED. IF STILL UNABLE TO PRIME OR PUMP KEEPS LOSING PRIME – CALL FOR SERVICE.
STEPS TO RE-PRIME A DEEP WELL JET PUMP (VERTICAL)

Turn power to pump off.
Remove bushing with gauge and vent plug on opposite side of gauge on casting.
Pour water into pump until water comes from the vent hole.
Reinstall vent plug, top off water at gauge and reinstall gauge and bushing.
Turn power on.
Open faucet or hose bib at pump to bleed air from system.

NOTE: STEPS 1-6 MAY NEED TO BE REPEATED. IF STILL UNABLE TO PRIME OR PUMP KEEPS LOSING PRIME – CALL FOR SERVICE.
FROZEN PUMP
Allow pump to completely thaw out from the freeze before calling for service. As long as there are no broken pipes, pump castings, or broke pressure tubing, the pump should start working normally when it has thawed.

If any of the above appears to be damaged, turn power off and call for service.
PRECAUTIONS FOR A FREEZE

Cover pump but keep well ventilated.
Install Freeze Buster – Call for information.
Run water at slow trickle in a safe area to keep water moving through the system.